When families are faced with a loved one who is in the final stages of life, the anguish and stress can be almost unbearable. Hospice is a service that can help the whole family, including the one near death, cope with the final months or days of life. Every family we have met that used hospice has been very grateful for the support and comfort and advice given, not only to the person dying, but to the whole family.

If your family is facing the need for long term care at home, or in a nursing home, one of the first things that comes to mind is do you need the help of an elder law attorney. The big concern is what kind of care is needed. The second is can care be at home, in an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The third is “how are we going to pay for that care?” The variety of programs for homecare, assisting living and nursing home care, and the qualifications to receive federal, state, or veterans benefits to pay for that, often results in a jig saw puzzle that leads to confusion and frustration. A bonafide elder law attorney will devote most or all his or her practice to elder law issues, and will have staff that understands the problems faced by families, and the solutions. So how can you select a competent elder law attorney?

A general overview for elders from a legal standpoint includes making financial, legal, and health care decisions if the elder person became incapable, to pass on property to heirs upon death, getting the best possible long term care if needed, preferably at home, and preserving your life’s savings for yourself and your family.

If your family is facing the need for long term care at home, or in a nursing home, one of the first things that comes to mind is do you need the help of an elder law attorney. The big concern is what kind of care is needed. The second is can care be at home, in an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The third is “how are we going to pay for that care?” The variety of programs for homecare, assisting living and nursing home care, and the qualifications to receive federal, state, or veterans benefits to pay for that, often results in a jig saw puzzle that leads to confusion and frustration. A bonafide elder law attorney will devote most or all his or her practice to elder law issues, and will have staff that understands the problems faced by families, and the solutions. So how can you select a competent elder law attorney?

Seniors are a special target for criminals seeking to scam them out of their hard earned life’s savings. The scammers are clever and relentless and prey on the normal human instinct to protect themselves and their families from financial loss, or the desire to cash in on some offer that seems too good to be true. So if you get a phone call, or an email either threatening that unless you pay some debt, or can win thousands of dollars if you just give some information, STOP. Do not give out your private information, such as social security number, date of birth, financial information, or family names and addresses.

Families with ageing loved ones are naturally dismayed over a decline in their physical and mental capabilities. There is often no way to stop that natural progression in life, but there are ways and means to help cope with handling everyday life. The first is for the spouse or younger family members to observe the functions that are declining; such as memory, balance, judgement, movement and safety awareness. In early stages of decline, just checking on mom or dad over the phone or in person may be enough to evaluate if there is any risk of harm. I can still remember a phone call from a friend of my mother’s calling me to say “I saw her go through a stop sign.” That is a dreaded call for any child, as it leads to a decision at some point on no longer driving. For many that can be an extremely difficult decision, because that car is the means and symbol of independence. Fortunately for our family, she willingly relinquished driving as she lived in an apartment building with numerous friends her own age who were willing to take her to her usual stores and church.