Heritage Law Office Blog

Long-term care insurance has become increasingly expensive throughout the years. If you find yourself out of options, consider this creative approach to ensure your financial assets as you age.

Alzheimer’s is a tragic disease that unfortunately affects thousands of people in their old age. Learn the basics of this disease and the necessary steps to take to plan for the future.

Medicare Advantage plans are put in place to ensure the care and safety of our loved ones during their later years. But are they leading to lower quality nursing homes? Read on to learn more.

President Trump signed the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act into law on May 24, 2018. The Act contains a section that was once a stand-alone bill from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) which is designed to encourage the reporting of elder (age 65 and older) financial...

Long term care (LTC) is a term that has many facets to its definition. It is comprised of a variety of services that meet medical and non-medical requirements for people who cannot care for themselves for long periods of time. It is a highly individualized care system which can be formally or...

There are demographic and cultural shifts occurring in the United States. The baby boomer generation continues to “gray” the country and is changing the way individual states set budgets and health care policies. More attention will be paid to the needs of the post age 50 generation(s) . Chan...

For some seniors in the baby boomer generation aging brings with it new challenges in the form of solo aging. Solo aging is a senior who has no children and no younger (or healthier) family members to assist them as they age. As in generations before, baby boomers are living longer and health...

Respite care is substitute care when a caregiver needs a break. If possible, these breaks should be scheduled regularly, giving the caregiver time to rest. It can be for a short period like a day or a few hours or for the purpose of giving the caregiver a vacation. Respite care is often overl...

Arizona and Florida are the latest states to request a waiver from the requirement that states provide three months of retroactive Medicaid coverage to eligible Medicaid recipients. Medicaid law allows a Medicaid applicant to be eligible for benefits for up to three months before the month o...

Moving can be one of the toughest decisions to make and go through with, especially when you’re moving away from everything you know. This is something that often becomes a reality for many aging individuals, and in some cases, sooner than expected. A perfect example is when...

A new study has found that people enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan were more likely to enter a lower quality nursing home than were people in traditional Medicare. The study raises questions about whether Medicare Advantage plans are influencing beneficiaries decision making when it comes t...

When hiring a caregiver, it is important to put the contract in writing. Courts can be especially strict about requiring contracts when caregivers are relatives, but a formal agreement is still necessary even if the caregiver is not a relative.  A recent Michigan court ruling illustrates how fail...

When the time comes to consider the possibility of Medicaid in your estate planning, one of the most important aspects is “spending down assets” to reach the personal income limit of $2,000. There are a number of non-countable assets you can keep, and you can also convert cash into non-countable assets as well...

A new federal law is designed to address the growing problem of elder abuse. The law supports efforts to better understand, prevent, and combat both financial and physical elder abuse. The prevalence of elder abuse is hard to calculate because it is underreported, but according to the National C...

Americans are living longer than they did in years past, including those with disabilities. Planning by parents can make all the difference in the life of a child with a disability, as well as that of his or her siblings who may be left with the responsibility for caretaking (on top of their own ...

What is Alzheimers Disease? Alzheimers disease is defined as an irreversible, progressive mental deterioration that can occur in middle or old age. It is the most common form of dementia. What causes Alzheimers Disease? Alzheimers disease is caused by a generalized deterioration of the b...

People sometimes try to save money by not consulting with a qualified attorney when executing their will, instead using a pre-printed form or online program.  A recent court case offers yet another example of the hazards of doing this. Deciding the long-running case, the Florida Supreme Court has...

After Marias husband died, Marias daughter Debby persuaded her to sell the family home and move into Debbys mother-in-law  cottage.  That  way  they  could  stay  close, and  Maria  could  invest  the money  from  the  sale  so that she  could  live comfortably. The house sold for a handsome s...

Long term care insurance was sold aggressively in the 1980s, 90s and thereafter to offset the costs of seniors needing to live in a nursing home, assisted living or needing at home health care. Now, however, the business of long term care insurance has dramatically changed. What was once over 100...

A power of attorney may seem like a simple document, but there are several important decisions that need to be made when creating one. From whom to appoint to what powers to grant, care and consideration should be put into each choice. A power of attorney is one of the most important estate plan...