Whenever a parent needs help with daily needs in order to remain at home, the primary helpers or decision makers are usually the children. This is natural, and good, but can often lead to tremendous stress between the siblings.
Sometimes I get a quizzical look when I tell people I practice elder law. Sometimes they joke, "So you are an old attorney?" "Well, not quite", I say, "but elder law is more than general legal services for the elderly." I explain that an elder law attorney limits his practice to the issues that surround aging, including retaining independence, quality of life and financial security.
When families are suddenly faced with the need for a nursing home and Title 19 (Medicaid), they get on the phone and call our office with urgent questions about eligibility. That is not surprising, because in Connecticut the monthly cost can easily be between $11,000 and $13,000. Those are scary numbers, and most families simply cannot afford to pay privately.