Senior Counsel

Some tips for seniors to help ease holiday stress

The following article addresses some common themes regardless of where you and your family live- enjoy!

Some tips for seniors to help ease holiday stress - The Mercury Life: Pottstown, PA and The Tri County areas of Montgomery, Berks and Chester Counties (pottsmerc.com)

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Let's Say Thanks to Our Soldiers

Please do this at this special time of year.

Evaluating Senior Housing

Just found a great tool through NAELA (the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) regarding senior housing and evaluating your options. See the link I've added to view the brochure.

Medicaid Figures Stay the Same for 2010

New York State issued has issued the base numbers to be used for Medicaid qualification for 2010 and they will not increase.  An applicant can keep $13,800 in resources and for nursing home Medicaid the community spouse resource allowance ("CSRA") will still fall between $74,820 and $109,560.  This is because the Medicaid allowances are tied to the cost of living increases generally given for Social Security income.  Social Security payments will not increase for 2010, so Medicaid is not increasing its allowances for individuals or couples.  The monthly allowance for community spouse income will likewise remain $2,739. 

Even though Medicaid is not changing the numbers that apply to consumers do not think for one moment that medical expenses and long term care pricing will stay stagnant.  In speaking with nursing home representatives in Rochester where I practice the fees keep rising for all of the associated expenses of running a home.  The assisted living communities are also facing increasing needs and demands from their residents.  All costs continue to escalate and the need to engage in long term planning is as important as ever.  Contact me or use the handy calendar tool posted to the left to set up your consultation with me.  There's no time like the present!

Caregiver Resources from AARP

AARP has a great portion of their website devoted to caregivers and resources for caregivers.  Please check it out!   If you have any problem with the link above, simply go to www.aarp.org, click on the Family tab and then click on Caregiving.  If you have questions about local options in Monroe County, please contact me or check out the consumer guide available from GRAPE (Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly).