So many of my clients dread the thought of a nursing home. Staying at home though, can be very isolating. One German nursing home designed this calendar for loved ones of the residents, and all had a great time with the project! You can find all the great pictures here!
Posts Categorized: New York Elder Law
Spousal Refusal In New York — Just Say No?
First, the good news: Despite another attempt by the New York governor to eliminate spousal refusal from this year’s budget for community-based care, the budget was passed by the legislature this week without this change. What Is Spousal Refusal, And Why Is It Important? Let’s say your dad is in a nursing home, but your… Read More »
It's Not Monopoly Money, It's Your Hard Earned Wealth
A recent article in Forbes highlights a study that half of all people lose all their wealth after just 6 months in a nursing home. I’m going to repeat that: Half of all residents in a nursing home lose ALL their wealth, including their home equity, after just 6 months in a nursing home. As… Read More »
Medicaid: The Middle Class Safety Net
As this article in today’s New York Times points out, Medicare is getting the bulk of the attention in this election campaign, while more attention needs to be focused on the problem of Medicaid. “Medicaid has long conjured up images of inner-city clinics jammed with poor families. Its far less-visible role is as the only… Read More »
When Siblings Don't Agree About Mom and Dad's Care
Remember the fights you used to have with your brother over who got the last Ring Ding? (Okay, maybe that was only me). I’m an independent woman, an elder lawyer, no less. Yet, when it comes to making decisions about my Mom, I turn first to my brother. After all, my Mom is his… Read More »
Does Size Matter?
Does the size of your brain predict the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease? One study released December 2011 in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, finds that smaller brain size has a high correlation with the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Technically, the researchers found that the thickness of regions of… Read More »
Alzheimer's or a Vitamin Deficiency?
According to an article in today’s New York Times by health writer Jane Brody, below normal levels of B-12 can sometimes mimic the signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. According to Brody, Vitamin B-12 is absorbed less readily as we age, and a deficiency can cause symptoms of memory loss and confusion–the same symptoms as an… Read More »
There's a Criminal Employed in Your Nursing Home
The Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a report this past March, analyzing 35,000 nursing home employee records of nursing homes against criminal records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). 92% of nursing homes employ one or more people with a criminal conviction. Nearly half of nursing homes employed… Read More »
The Survey Says: NY a Winner in the High Cost of Long Term Care
In this survey, New York “only” comes in fifth in the country on the list of most expensive annual cost for a private room at a nursing home. The survey is using median rates, and also averaging the cost of nursing homes throughout New York State. On Long Island, the cost of a semi-private room… Read More »
Big Banks Exit Reverse Mortgage Market
What is a Reverse Mortgage? Seniors (you must be over age 62) can tap the home equity in their homes by obtaining a reverse mortgage in either a lump sum or multiple payments. The homeowner is not obligated to repay the loan, and the payment is deferred until the homeowner dies, sells the home,… Read More »