What Happens if Well-Spouse Dies First?
What Happens if Well-Spouse Dies First? Many of our clients have the situation of one spouse needs nursing home care, and the other “well” spouse sell lives at home. When we are able to work with families on financial planning, we often can have the “sick” spouse’s...
Steps to Set up and Manage an Irrevocable Trust
Steps to Set up and Manage an Irrevocable Trust A trust is a legal agreement between two or more parties that grants one party, or trustee, specified assets while the beneficiary, or the person for whom the trust is established, retains ownership of said assets. If...
Red Flag for Nursing Homes
Nursing Home Warning Signs If you have an elder loved one who needs long-term care, how can you be sure that the facility you select will deliver the care, services, and attention your relative deserves? How do you get past the hype in the facility’s marketing...
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MEDICAID
On a regular basis we meet with families facing long term care issues who make decisions based upon an incomplete understanding of the laws and rules concerning Medicaid. Sometimes the information is obtained from friends and relatives who have navigated the Medicaid...
VA Benefits
VA benefits can make a real difference in quality of life, especially for older adults. But not everyone who is eligible will apply. Some will not apply because they believe VA benefits are a government handout. They don’t want charity, so they don’t apply. If you are...
Who Oversees Assisted Living Facilities?
Recently a client asked me the question: Does an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) in Florida have to provide activities? This client said that, due to low participation by residents, their facility had given up and was not going to hire a replacement activities...
Normal Age-Related Memory Loss versus Dementia
Normal Age-Related Memory Loss versus Dementia As our parents age, it is natural that their abilities will change and decline over time. So many people are unsure how to distinguish what is to be expected from something more ominous. Certainly a memory loss may be...
Splitting an Inheritance
When you are in line to receive an inheritance, you probably look forward to improving your financial situation. But what if you do not need the money? Or if you feel someone (a sibling or step-sibling) was unfairly omitted? Can you give away part or all of your...
Top Gift Ideas for Assisted Living or Nursing Home Residents
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are fast approaching. If you have a loved one in a facility you may be wondering about gift ideas. You know space is limited. Your mom or dad is no longer actively collecting. Senior living communities are designed to provide...
How Well Do You Understand Elder Care Law?
How Well Do You Understand Elder Care Law? Many are confused about the field of Elder Care Law. It is a complex area of law that deals with legal issues affecting seniors. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions that can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. ...
As our parents age, it is natural that their abilities will change and decline over time. So many people are unsure how to distinguish what is to be expected from something more ominous. Certainly a memory loss may be an indication of a disease such as Alzheimer’s,...
Who Oversees Assisted Living Facilities?
Recently a client asked me the question: Does an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) in Florida have to provide activities? This client said that, due to low participation by residents, their facility had given up and was not going to hire a replacement activities...
What to Do After a Loved One has Passed
What to Do After a Loved One has Passed Even when it is expected, losing a love done is a traumatic and trying time. Add to that the fact that so much needs to be handled right away. At Burzynski Elder Law, we understand how difficult the death of a loved one is, and...
Just completed two more marathons-one virtual and one live. I ran my virtual event of the Mississippi Blues Marathon in Biloxi, beachside. Weather was great for a run-mostly cloudy and cool. (the rain held off luckily!) One week later I ran the live version of the...
The Perfect Gift Idea 2022
Most of our parents get to the age (after retirement) when it can be very hard to think up gift ideas. They have or plan to downsize their homes for easier maintenance and less cost. This makes many of their collections a burden rather than a source of joy. Many...
How to Age Well
When we talk about successful or healthy aging, what exactly do we mean? Who defines that? Healthy aging has been defined in numerous ways. Definitions usually include things like disease prevention, high physical and cognitive functioning, and the ability to engage...
Hearing Aids Available Over-the-Counter
On June 16, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule to improve access to hearing aids which may in turn lower costs for millions of Americans. This action establishes a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, enabling consumers...
Add My Kid’s Name to My Bank Account?
A client asked me this question this week. As usual, the answer is “It depends.” Everyone’s legal, health and financial situation is a little different. Some factors it can depend on will be discussed below. But the first question is: What do you want to...
Do I Need a Qualified Income Trust?
If you or a loved one needs long term care, you might have to rely on the Medicaid program to pay for most of the cost of that care. Since nursing home care on average costs over $10,000 per month in Florida, most people do not have enough income to pay that without...
Common Signs of Memory Loss
If you are caring for an aging relative, you may notice some gaps in their memory beginning. Loss of memory can be a part of the aging process. As you care for a loved one, how do you know when memory issues are serious enough to warrant intervention? What happens...
Do My Kids Automatically Inherit?
In Florida, inheritance rights of children in an estate depend on whether the decedent left a will. If there is a will, it will be clearly stated how much each child should inherit. In many cases, this is a straightforward process. For example, one may state that...
Asset Protection and Medicaid Planning
Elderly people often require assistance while doing their activities of daily living (ADL). While some individuals receive long-term care at their residence, others get the assistance they require in a nursing home or facility specializing in assisted living. This...
What is a Life Care Plan?
What is a Life Care Plan? A life care plan is a form that summarizes a person's health and treatment plan. It identifies the health condition, providers, medications and emergency contacts, and options for care. Normally, the plan is completed in consultation with a...
Are You Qualified For Veterans Aid And Attendance?
VA Pension Benefits To Help Pay For Long-Term Care Every household faces financial difficulties when it comes to nursing home care. If you are not aware yet, both men and women who have served their country could be eligible for special VA subsidies to help mitigate...