As the current economic crisis deepens, it is becoming increasingly clear that we are heading into uncharted waters, in so many respects.  Specifically, however, I am talking about the long term care arena, and a recent phone call I received highlights this so clearly.  John called concerning his father.  Dad owns

Dad has been living in an assisted living facility for 3 years at a cost of $4500 per month.  He likes it there, is safe and well cared for.  There is one small problem.  He is running out of money and the family is becoming desperate.  Fortunately, some states have Medicaid

Jane calls us to relate the same problem that many Americans today are coping with, trying to care for aging parents.  She calls because Dadâs health is rapidly deteriorating and she fears he will need nursing home care.  I ask about Momâs health.  Jane replies that she is healthy.  And

So, in last weekâs blog I presented a common scenario, Mom and Dad both needing long term care and nothing but a house left in their names.  The children are paying for their care to the tune of $10,000 per month.  We get Dad on Medicaid first.  Now we work

Mom and Dad are still living in their home which they own.  They both need round the clock nursing home level care and have home health aides living with them.  This has been going on for a number of years and they have spent down all their assets on care

            Many times the children of my elderly clients ask whether they can be held responsible for Mom or Dadâs nursing home bill.  My answer always was that there wasnât anything to worry about unless you take your parents money.  That no longer appears to be the case. A recent

When money is running out and the family is faced with the need to apply for Medicaid to pay for long term care the question becomes âshould we do this ourselves or should we hire an elder law attorney to help?â  Sometimes the hospital or the nursing home tells the

The long term care system is a maze and Medicaid in particular is quite complicated.  A recent call to our office illustrates that even after receiving Medicaid there are pitfalls to avoid that can cause one to lose Medicaid.  Mary (names have been changed) called us because she had been

Every so often, I come across a situation that illustrates so clearly the dangers of going it alone or getting bad advice when dealing with the common issues and dilemmas that are aging in America.  I received a call this week from a son in Mississippi.  Mom and Dad, no longer able to live