The New York Medicaid system is the largest in the nation. As most know, Medicaid is a joint federal-state program, paid for by both entities. While federal parameters must be met, each state is free to decide upon various details of the program, including eligibility and extensiveness of support provided.…
A common theme in recent years regarding long-term care in New York is the shuttering of county-owned public nursing homes. Historically, facilities to provide specialized care to seniors were built in different communities, with operation and ownership in the hands of local policymakers. But with financial pressures mounting, that format…
As noted several weeks ago, October is officially known as “Residents’ Rights Month” — a time to share information about the rights of seniors living in all forms of senior housing facilities. Many New York residents have heard horror stories from friends, family members, and acquaintances about inadequate care at…
Many of us can relate to growing concerns over loved ones as they continue to age and require more assistance. It can be challenging to meet these changing needs while still recognizing that our elderly loved ones are capable of performing some tasks on their own. It may seem obvious…
Seniors in Continuing Care Communities in neighboring New Jersey are about to have many new ways to protect their rights and obtain better care. On Thursday, October 17, 2013, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed the “Bill of Rights for Continuing Care Retirement Community Residents in Independent Living (CCRC).” The…
Debate and discussion around the ideal setting to care for older individuals has raged for decades. The trends are somewhat cyclical. In the distant past, virtually all aging took place at homes. “Traditional,” nuclear families were more common, and so seniors who could no longer live on their own almost…
The face of long-term care in New York continues to change. In the past, when seniors were in need of close, around-the-clock care their main option was to move into a skilled nursing home in their community, usually owned by the county itself. These public facilities long acted as the…
Family arrangements are diverse. Some New Yorkers still have a “traditional” nuclear family with parents who remain married. However, the standard model of husband, wife, kids, in-laws, and grandkids no longer represents the majority. Instead, most families have some complexities. There are divorces, new marriages, stepchildren, adopted children, grandparents raising…
In helping families throughout New York plan for potential care needs down the road, we frequently explain that the ideal solution is long-term care insurance (LTCI). As the name implies, these policies require community members to pay premiums now with assurances that certain financial support will be available if you…
Preparation is critical to prevent financial exploitation of elderly community members. Our team of elder law estate planning attorneys frequently discuss how legal documents can be crafted and arrangements made to provide trusted family members with access to financial details of a senior’s life to spot exploitation early. Similarly, by…