Source: AgingCare.com
Money & Legal Issues
- Tax Tips for Caregivers
Helping caregivers understand tax laws and take advantage of the tax benefits that are available when supporting an elderly parent
Tax tips for caregivers » - Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare Open Enrollment is the time when beneficiaries can review and change their Medicare health plan and prescription drug coverage for next year. Caregivers face the daunting task of helping their aging loved ones navigate the Medicare maze. Find information and helpful hints in the Medicare Open Enrollment Guide.
Your Guide to Medicare Open Enrollment » - Paying for Care
How can you help pay for your elderly loved one’s care? Can you be paid for the care you are providing your parents? Caregivers ask these questions regularly. We have answers.
Paying for care and getting paid for caregiving » - Financial Matters
Some parents planned well for retirement while others did not. Whether your parents overspend or have plenty in the bank, there are things you must know about helping manage their finances.
Money management know-how » - Medicare & Medicaid
These programs can confuse the elderly and caregivers alike. While there can be piles of paperwork coupled with frustrating hours on hold, these programs are lifelines for millions of Americans.
Medicare & Medicaid coverage » - Veterans Assistance
Many programs are in place to assist veterans and their spouses. Some are well-known programs, and others are not. Make sure you and your parents are getting all of the VA assistance that you are entitled to.
Programs for American veterans » - Insurance Matters
Do your elderly parents still have private insurance? Do they need long-term care insurance? What about supplemental insurance? The various kinds of insurance can be mind boggling. Then come the bills. Don’t let either confuse you or your parents.
Understanding your parents’ insurance and billing » - POA & Guardianship
There are many legal documents, such as Power of Attorney, advance directives and guardianship that ensure your parent’s wishes will be carried out and let you make decisions on their behalf.
What POA, guardianship, and advance directives do » - Elder Law
Some elderly parents put off estate planning because it makes them or their adult children uncomfortable. If your parents are among the thousands who pass away without a will or estate, it could cost their heirs fights with siblings, create ugly legal battles, or require mediation.
Estates, wills, trusts, legal cases, and mediation » - Frauds & Scams
Scammers are everywhere. Seniors are easy victims because scammers see the elderly as lonely, vulnerable, easy prey. Whether it’s a worthless long-term insurance plan, identity theft, or a miracle cure for arthritis, your loved one could be a target.
Protect loved ones from fraud, scams, and theft »
Resources
- Elder Law Attorneys
Elder law attorneys specialize in providing legal services for the elderly and those planning for the aging process. The legal issues handled by an elder law attorney include advance health care directives, powers of attorney, guardianship, living wills, trusts, planning for long-term care, Medicaid planning, resident rights in long-term care facilities, and estate, income and gift tax matters.
Find an Elder Law Attorney Near You »
Legal Planning for Seniors and Their Families
Planning Ahead for Mom and Dad’s Elderly CareOne of the most overlooked things seniors and their families can do is plan for the future. It can eliminate heartache when something as simple as power of attorney and advance directives are in place.
Family Feuds Over Power of AttorneyConflicts arise from choosing who can make decisions to bickering about what’s best for mom or dad.
How do I get legal authority to make decisions on mom’s behalf?In order to make most decisions on your loved one’s behalf, you must be given the legal power to do so.
See more: Elder Law Articles
Medical Documents Required for You to Legally Make Decisions on Your Parents Behalf
3 Must-Have Legal Documents for Elderly HealthcareIf you haven’t planned in advance to make sure you can act on parent’s behalf if they are unable to, you may not be able to help them when they need it most.
Avoid the #1 Mistake Elders Make with Healthcare DirectivesTake a look at your loved one’s healthcare directives. Think they’re pretty solid? They could be, but there could be something in them that could cause a lot of grief down the road.
No Legal Documents? Doctors May Not Discuss Elder HealthIf elders live in assisted living, skilled nursing or a nursing home, and they don’t have the proper legal documents in place, doctors might not discuss chronic conditions or even life and death health care decisions with caregivers.
Legal Documents Required for You to Make Financial Decisions on Your Parents Behalf
The Difference Between a POA, Durable POA and Living WillLiving wills, DNRs, durable power of attorney for healthcare and for finances, wills, and living trusts are all very important legal documents that everyone should have.
When Family Doesn’t Have POA the Results Can Be DevastatingEstablishing durable power of attorney – why it’s important to discuss this with your parent now.
What is a Trust?What kind of trust is best for your family’s situation? There are three basic types of trusts…
Estate Administration: Know What To Do When a Loved One DiesWhen a loved one dies, families are grieving. The last thing caregivers want to think about is finances, estate administration and probate. But these issues must be dealt with.
Legal Issues for Alzheimer’s Patients and Caregivers
Dad has Alzheimer’s. Is it too late to name a power of attorney?The law requires that the elder be able to understand what he is giving up in appointing someone to act on his behalf for all money matters.
When Is a Person Too Incapacitated to Sign a Will, Trust, or POA?Under the laws of most states, a person is legally competent to sign documents if at the time of the signing he or she meets the following tests…
Selling a Home if Parent has Alzheimer’sThis can be a tricky issue – and one that elder law attorneys are asked about almost daily. Before turning over the keys to the house, there are some important things caregivers should know.
Are people with Alzheimer’s responsible for credit card debt?A person with Alzheimer’s disease is legally responsible for paying their credit card debt or other debt unless you can prove that she was not competent at the time of sing-up.
