Yesterday we discussed the release of the federal Long-Term Care Commission’s final report. As mentioned, the major glaring issue with the report was its relative silence on financing solutions for this care. The Commission was made up of individuals with varying interests–from owners to residents–who have very different incentives. Issues…
You may remember that on New Year’s Day of this year, a large piece of legislation was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama. The bill was the one that (temporarily) avoided the fiscal cliff. It was the measure that seemed to permanently set the estate tax rates among…
A growing number of New York seniors in need of caregiving support are opting to stay in their homes, instead of moving into nursing facilities. This is partially a result of Medicaid programs changing to accommodate more at-home caregiving, often saving money and better meeting elderly preferences at the same…
Advocating for better long-term care is not just a concern of NY elder law attorneys. Policymakers at all levels and of all political persuasions are also keenly aware of the impact that the growing need for long-term care will have on communities nationwide. There are few challenges more acute than…
Late last month we shared information on New York’s performance in a national Nursing Home Report Card. A non-profit organization compiled the list using a mountain of government data related to staffing ratios, inspection results, and more. Sadly, New York did not come out of the examination looking that great.…
Advice is often given about checking a senior relative’s bank statements frequently to identify potential theft. Large cash withdrawals, donations to strange charities, and similar red flags should be pursued. But sometimes elder financial exploitation is so bold, that victims–or their relatives–may not realize that they were mistreated. For example,…
It is a nightmare for many families. A senior shows signs of cognitive mental challenges–becomes forgetful and eventually is unable to live on their own. An adult child take control of the senior’s affairs in order to pay for bills and arrange for long-term care. But when the family member…
Most horror stories about poor nursing home care include tales of grotesque “bed sores,” broken bones gone undiagnosed, and similar cases of obvious caregiving lapses. But the best way to measure the quality of long-term care facilities may not be to see how many of these “big” mistakes are made.…
It is no secret that the country is aging. More Americans are retiring and drifting into their golden years now then ever before. What’s more is that there is not a similarly-sized generation, meaning the percentage of elderly individuals is rising sharply. All of this is leading many to evaluate…
Some adult children are forced to engage is prolonged legal battles after their parents passing over “reverse mortgages.” These mortgages are loans available to older homeowners. Essentially it allow the owners to withdraw money on their home in a lump sum or in monthly installments. For seniors who need immediate…