Posts filed under 'Aging, Alzheimers and Elder Care'
August 10th, 2010
According to a recent article in the New York Times, New York City’s elderly population is sharply increasing, and city planners have responded with a new initiative that reflects the specific needs of the city’s senior citizens. The initiative’s architects are developing creative ways to make the city a safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable place for seniors to reside.
Some of the proposed improvements to seniors’ quality-of-life include: more time to cross the street; organized grocery store trips; offering more innovative programs at senior centers; and the creation of aging-improvement districts. The goal of aging-improvement districts is to form a public-private partnership that will encourage business owners to adopt more elderly-friendly practices, such as providing public restrooms, extra benches, and more lighting for seniors’ benefit.
City officials have also begun to hold town hall meetings and focus groups to hear from seniors directly as to how the city can better accommodate its elderly residents.
These potential improvements to services should permit more seniors to age in place. These developments make it even more important to consider advance directives and planning for the astronomical costs of long-term care. Elder law attorneys at Lamson & Cutner, P.C., are committed to improving seniors’ quality-of-life and are dedicated to supporting the elderly. Call 1 (866) 524-1818 to speak with an Elder Law attorney at Lamson & Cutner, P.C., so you can best prepare for your future.
August 4th, 2010
Retirement communities and assisted living facilities continue to be developed in New York and many other states. However luxurious many of them may be, most seniors want to live out their lives in familiar surroundings. AARP estimates that 9 out of 10 Americans over 60 would prefer to stay in their own homes, as opposed to a retirement community or institutional setting.
This preference, however, must be squared with the practical issues and problems of staying at home as old age and declining health start to interfere with activities of daily living. For example, climbing stairs may become burdensome or wheelchair access may have to be considered.
Seniors who want to stay where they are and remain a vital part of their communities need to start looking into organizations and community groups that will provide support of all kinds, such as transportation assistance and meal delivery programs. It may also be the right time to consult an Elder Law Attorney, to find out how to build a financial fortress around your assets and income, so that your lifestyle and dignity will not be destroyed or compromised by the ruinous costs of long-term care.
July 26th, 2010
For the first time in 25 years experts in Alzheimer’s disease have proposed new guidelines regarding the criteria used for diagnosing the disease.
The new guidelines would allow special tests that use brain scans, biomarkers and other new technologies to clinically diagnose the disease even before any symptoms appear. These tests would replace the way Alzheimer’s is currently diagnosed, which is based solely on the detection of symptoms.
Experts are seeking to create three different stages of Alzheimer’s disease: pre-clinical; mild cognitive impairment; and dementia. These distinctions are being viewed as a major advancement in diagnosis because detecting the disease in its early stages will allow doctors to treat and monitor their patients as the disease develops.
The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is expected to double, or even triple, under these new diagnostic guidelines; and some are concerned that efforts to diagnose the disease too early may lead to mistaken diagnoses. Despite such concerns, most Alzheimer’s experts agree that the guidelines are a great leap forward in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and many are optimistic that the new guidelines will likely move researchers closer to the discovering the cause of the disease. The guidelines are expected to be adopted this coming Fall.
Given these new developments, the need for long-term care planning will become even more important. In order to educate yourself on planning techniques designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses, call 1 (866) 524-1818, today to speak with an Elder Law attorney at Lamson & Cutner, P.C. and request our latest publication The Top Ten Elder Law Strategies for Alzheimer’s Patients and Their Families: Ten Absolutely Essential Principles for Preserving Quality-of-Life When Dealing with a Medical Diagnosis of Dementia. The attorneys at Lamson & Cutner, P.C., have significant experience planning for the long-term care needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and are available to provide their services immediately.
July 4th, 2010
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia create memory loss and affect cognitive functioning and behaviors. For many people with dementia, there is often a strong desire to wander off on their own. The urge to walk out the door is often driven by memories of previous jobs or homes where they might have lived decades in the past. Wanderers usually depart in a confused state and are often difficult to find due to paranoia and fear. Caretakers and local authorities are frequently left with no clear indication of where the individual might be.
This phenomenon is increasing rapidly, and authorities around the country are taking notice. In many states, local law enforcement agencies have instated training sessions to help find wanderers. Other groups are using new technologies, including tracking wristbands.
Caring for an individual with dementia can be a difficult task, especially if your loved one is prone to wandering. If you or someone you know has Alzheimer’s or dementia and needs assistance with daily activities, there is help available, often at little or no personal expense. Call an Elder Law attorney today to discuss options for individuals living with dementia.
April 12th, 2010
There may come a point in a loved one’s life when assistance will be needed in the home. The signs that help is needed often begin as subtle indications. When a parent or spouse becomes forgetful and confused, or when doing household chores become more difficult, the potential seriousness of the situation is typically not addressed immediately. Many refrain from suggesting that assistance is needed because it is an extremely difficult conversation to broach. Most people are afraid that their loved one will become defensive or angry at the suggestion that she is not as capable as she once was or believe herself to be. Unfortunately, many wait until their loved ones are at a critical juncture after a medical catastrophe.
Waiting until a crisis is not necessary. Home care has been described by many as preventative medicine. The earlier assistance is provided to an individual who is losing mental capacity or physical ability, the longer she will likely be able remain independent and live in the comfort of her own home. Depending on the level of care needed, a home attendant can come for a few hours a day to offer a helping hand, or provide round-the-clock care. Home health care is a viable way to preserve independence and a good precaution against an emergency situation.
Privately paying for home health care can be extremely expensive, but financial concerns should not keep anyone from seeking necessary assistance. Elder law attorneys assist individuals in financially qualifying for Medicaid benefits that will pay for the cost of home health care for those who qualify medically. If you’ve noticed functional or behavioral changes in a family member, and are considering home care, call an Elder law attorney today.
January 12th, 2010
As a law firm that is dedicated to serving and providing support to the elderly, it always brings us great pleasure and encouragement to read about octogenarians who are truly living life to its fullest.
This week David Tuller of the New York Times brought us an inspirational story about his 80-year-old mother, whose activist roots keep her active and passionate about life. Click here to read the article in its entirety.
In the piece, Tuller discusses the good-natured conversations he has with his mother regarding her inevitable death. The two ponder whether she will die suddenly in her sleep, or over the course of a week, or over a period of months. Tuller’s mom finds humor in the conversation, and discusses the benefits of dying quickly versus having longer to say goodbye. However, in our experience, conversations regarding the end of one’s life are rarely this light-hearted.
For most, death and the aging process are difficult topics to breach. Having an open line of communication about the end of life, however, to address one’s desires and wishes regarding care and to do the proper planning, is imperative to maintaining a good quality of life in one’s old age. Without planning, individuals can potentially be left powerless to maintain their quality of life, and can rapidly deplete all of their assets paying for long-term care. Executing important documents such as a durable power of attorney and a health care proxy allow individuals to designate trusted agents to carry out their wishes regarding financial issues and important health care decisions.
We all have much to learn from Mrs. Tuller. And as we continue to age, it is important to address some of these difficult issues in order to ensure that we can live our lives to the fullest, right up until the end.
December 23rd, 2009
The winter months can be a difficult time for senior citizens – coping with bitter cold, falling snow, and icy roads. Those seniors who own houses must worry about freezing pipes and blocked driveways, and those in cities have to concern themselves with slippery sidewalks and suspended public transportation.
Winter is especially difficult for seniors living in rural communities, who are often isolated and have less services conveniently available to them, as illustrated in a recent New York Times article, “For Elderly in Rural Areas, Times are Distinctly Harder (December 10, 2009).”
While the difficulties of growing older and living independently are more pronounced in rural areas, it is also important to address these issues for seniors residing in cities and suburbs. Seniors living in the New York-Metropolitan area should know about the many resources available to them, including food and meal delivery, transportation services, assistance paying energy bills, and more. Many of these services can be found on the Department for the Aging website, http://www.nyc.gov/html/dfta.
In addition, because winter can be a toilsome time for independent seniors and the hazardous weather can lead to unpredictable consequences, having a valid and up-to-date power of attorney and health care proxy can be of tremendous help when seniors need assistance managing their affairs and making health care decisions. Talk to an elder law attorney today about advance planning tools that can make difficult situations as manageable as possible.
November 25th, 2009
If you have a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease or other neurological diseases, buy him or her an iPod or a new CD this holiday season.
Not only is listening to a favorite album a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, studies show that music can help stimulate inactive areas of the brain. This stimulation can arouse old memories, evoke untapped emotions, and even improve cognitive functioning.
The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function is a nonprofit organization founded at Beth Abraham Health Services in the Bronx. This nonprofit brings music to individuals with Alzheimer’s by delivering iPods with customized playlists to their homes.
The Institute also conducts studies on the effects of music therapy on Alzheimer’s patients, and the growing evidence shows profound benefits of listening to old favorites on neurological, physical and emotional functioning.
Caregivers and family members can provide a multitude of benefits to their loved ones with dementia by listening to music with them. The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function provides suggested songs on its website, so visit www.imnf.org to get some recommendations for a holiday playlist and to learn more about this important organization.
November 12th, 2009
The number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease has been increasing sharply over the past several years, and will continue to grow at an unprecedented rate. A recent article in The Wall Street Journal stated that the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease “grew 10% globally between 2005 and 2009 to 35 million… [and] this number is expected to continue climbing to 115.4 million in 2050 ” (Alzheimer’s Cases to Climb Sharply, by Shirley S. Wang, 9/21/09).
In certain countries, such as the United Kingdom, a “national Alzheimer’s plan” has been put in place to deal with the inevitable financial and social implications of this sharply increasing population. However, no such “national plan” exists in the United States. Also, as the article states, federal spending on Alzheimer’s research is far lower than diseases like cancer and AIDS.
Without a governmental program in place to manage the rapid increase of Alzheimer’s patients and their specialized needs, the responsibility ends up falling on individuals who are ill-equipped to take care for someone with Alzheimer’s. Family and friends are left to assist in coordinating and funding the long-term care of their loved ones, but are given little guidance on how to do so. Medicare, our national health insurance program that is available to individuals 65 and older, does not pay for long-term custodial care, which is typically the kind of care individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease need. The family is often left overwhelmed and financially devastated by the cost of such care.
Paying out of pocket for long-term care is extremely expensive. This is why it is so important to see an Elder Law attorney when family members begin showing signs of dementia.
An Elder Law attorney can make sure that an individual with Alzheimer’s receives the care he needs, and does not end up penniless in the process.
November 11th, 2009
A New York Times article published last October has pointed out some alarming developments about the prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Latino community. The article refers to studies that suggest Hispanics may have higher risk factors for dementia. Even worse, Alzheimer’s seems to be appearing at a younger age for this group.
A multitude of elements seem to be contributing to this observation. Financial hardship and language barriers prevent some from seeking adequate medical care and early diagnosis. Lack of accurate information about Alzheimer’s in the Latino community leads others to assume that symptoms are part of the normal aging process, which can be incorrect.
On a more positive note, experts think a genetic predisposition to the disease in the Hispanic population is unlikely. What is more significant is the range of other degenerative disease conditions prevalent among Latinos, such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes, that in a significant number of instances exist concurrently with Alzheimer’s.
Elder Law planning provides an important advantage to anyone that faces the prospect of a serious disabling illness such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Proper planning opens up the possibility of obtaining needed care under the Medicaid program, and preserving assets and income at the same time. Serious illness or injury does not have to be accompanied by financial ruin from medical expenses and long-term health care costs.
Typically, an individual’s money, investments, home and other assets can be kept within the family unit. That means these assets can be used for the patient’s benefit while he or she is alive, and what remains can help the family after their loved one is gone.
In most instances, it’s not too late to achieve Medicaid eligibility, even if a patient has already entered a nursing home. Lamson & Cutner’s Special Report, 25 Strategies to Prevent Financial Ruin from Long-Term Health Care Costs discusses this in the first two Strategies it outlines.
The above New York Times article points out that the majority of Hispanic Alzheimer’s patients live at home with multigenerational families. L & C’s Special Report will also give you details on getting home care assistance covered by Medicaid and how an Elder Law attorney can help.
See the NY Times Article at the following link: More Alzheimer’s Risk for Hispanics
October 22nd, 2009
The Alzheimer’s Association has released the 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, which reveals a disturbing statistic. Those over 65 with Alzheimer’s and other dementias have total health care costs that are three times greater than others who are not afflicted with these illnesses. This fact translates into an often unbearable financial situation for the victims and their families.
According to the report, today “Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of dementia.” How specifically do these illnesses increase expenses by a factor of three? In the following ways:
- Alzheimer’s patients have a higher frequency of hospitalization, nursing home residency, and other costly long-term care health services.
- There is often a cluster of other degenerative medical conditions that appear along with Alzheimer’s, which in themselves require expensive health care procedures and prescriptions.
- Out-of-pocket health care costs that are not-reimbursable through insurance are greater for these patients.
The current recessionary environment imposes additional financial strain on people with dementia, along with their families. It’s for this reason that Elder Law strategies are especially valuable right now. With an attorney’s guidance, these techniques can allow an individual to become Medicaid eligible and receive full payment for needed treatment and health care services. Additionally, these strategies can preserve the money, income and assets of the ill person, so that this money can be used to keep the patient’s lifestyle intact as long as possible.
See Lamson & Cutner’s Special Report, 25 Strategies to Prevent Financial Ruin from Long-Term Health Care Costs to learn more about specific solutions and case studies relating to Alzheimer’s patients. Home care and nursing facility options are both discussed in detail. You can also see an overview of a detailed Elder Law approach to your specific situation at www.lamson-cutner.com. Just click on the scenario that matches your circumstances.
You may also view the Alzheimer Association’s 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report.
