Elder Law News

Many loved ones who has moved to a nursing home or other group residence exhibit new behaviors that could create a crisis situation for the facility if left unchecked.  While nursing homes are expected to deal with a wide variety of behavioral issues associated with the aging process, a particular facility could decide that a resident’s behavioral issues merit hospitalization or an...

On Monday, Linda and I did a talk at the State Bar Foundation on the “Medicare Medicaid Maze.”  One of the issues that attendees were very concerned about was the issue of Medicare Observation Status and how that impacts Medicare payment for post-acute rehabilitation.  Medicare law requires beneficiaries to stay at least three days as a hospital inpatient before the entitlement...

Great news for New Jersey!  After some indecision, Gov. Christie announced in his budget that he will be expanding Medicaid-provided health insurance to those New Jerseyans whose modified adjusted gross income is equal to or less than 133% of poverty (138% when a 5% income disregard is included) in 2014.  Those above this income amount, but less than 400% of the poverty level, will receive...

Let’s take a moment to recognize the commitment and respect for civics that our elders have and emulate their example!  Last night at the State of the Union, we got to meet Desiline Victor, age 102, who waited in line for over three hours to vote in Florida.  She became a US Citizen when she was 94 and has been voting ever since.  She may have needed to wait in line, but in New Jersey,...

The New Jersey Supreme Court will be setting up a guardianship monitoring program that will be fully implemented in all 21 counties by November 2013.  Volunteers will review yearly reports and flag questionable changes for the County Surrogates. “It’s wonderful that there will be the help and oversight of yearly reports that people need.  Guardians can be overwhelmend with the...

The New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is now insisting that all of their clients establish eligibility for Medicaid and maintain that eligibility to receive DDD services.  This is a departure from previous policy whereby the Division provided many services to ineligible clients and either charged them for those services or maintained a lien on their estate.  DDD clients...

If you are a caregiver or loved one of an individaul with dementia or Alzheimers, check out these excellent programs across New Jersey for support and education.  In addition to early-stage services, the New Jersey Alzheimers Association offer a range of programs including a 24/7 Helpline for information and support, free family care consultations, safety services, a respite reimbursement...

While many of our clients come to us already with a loved one in a facility, others are grappling with the decision of which facility is right for them when they first see us.  There are certain things to look for and questions to ask to best evaluate which facility could be a good fit.  Contact us to discuss further–we have great relationships with many local facilities and can interact...

In the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting, Gov. Christie has been reviewing many proposals regarding mental health.  One of these is the Involuntary Outpatient Commitment (IOC) law that was passed in 2009 but didn’t receive the funding necessary to become fully implemented statewide.  IOC has been implemented in several counties including Union County.  The purpose of the law is to...

We know its been a bad flu season, but it has been especially bad for older folks.  Things like the flu can start the “cascade” of events leading to needing long-term care for older people, so caregivers beware.  Here are some further tips for dealing with the flu if your loved one has dementia.