Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda
How often do we put off taking care of something that we know we should do? Would, coulda, shoulda! That’s a sad conclusion!
There can come a time that a person no longer has the options he had at an earlier time. In some circumstances, statutes of limitations will cut off the ability to pursue a remedy. Or death could be the thing that cuts...
What’s a Virtual Visitation Coordinator?
The covid-19 pandemic has produced many new occupational categories. One of them is the “virtual visitation coordinator,” a role that’s encouraged for New Jersey’s nursing homes. Executive Order 20-026 in Section I.7iv (at pages 4-5) describes the function and responsibilities of this person. Of course, this role may...
In-Person Visitation in Nursing Facilities available to Essential Caregivers
Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 20-026 contains the rules for visitation in skilled nursing facilities, among other issues. Section III(4)(c)(3) provides in-person visitation opportunity for people who are deemed to be “essential caregivers.” What’s that all about?
An “essential caregiver” is ” an individual who was previously...
Overseeing the Care in a Nursing Home When You Can’t Enter the Building
Advocating for our clients in nursing homes during this pandemic has been uniquely difficult! What tools do we still have to help people watch over the delivery of care to their loved ones? Many rights are guaranteed, and right now much creativity is needed to protect those rights. You can still set up care plan conferences with the treatment team...
True or False? try this New Jersey Medicaid Quiz
Test your knowledge about nursing homes and the Medicaid-MLTSS program that pays for nursing home care, assisted living and part-time home care.
Does a person’s monthly income have to be less than $2,313 (2,349 in 2020) to apply for Medicaid-MLTSS?
Will the State take one-half the house if a married person moves into a nursing home?
Does a married person have to sign over or pay...
New 2020 NJ Medicaid numbers just released
The NJ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) has just released Medicaid Communication #20-01 which provides the new numbers that are relevant to applications for Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) benefits. 20-01_Medicaid_Only_Standards MLTSS pays for nursing home care (skilled nursing facilities), Assisted Living Facilities and part-time home care...
Ways that the NJ Ombudsman can be helpful in nursing home problems
New Jersey has a state-level Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO), previously known as the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly whose mission is to protect the rights of individuals who reside in facility settings which are nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities), assisted living facilities, group homes and continuing care retirement communities. Each of these facilities is highly...
Long Term Care Insurance — It’s All about the Contract
If you purchased a long-term care insurance policy, (LTCI) make sure you keep that contract and the annual update notices in a safe, accessible place and that you let your important persons know where they can find these papers. When it comes time that hands-on care, supervision and cueing are required, it will be necessary to scrutinize the contract to see just what conditions must be met to...
The Tender Talk about End-of-Life Planning
A regular part of the estate planning process involves a discussion with the client about selecting a line up of trusted individuals to serve as the client’s medical decision-makers. If the doctor determines that the patient has become incapacitated, there needs to be a designated proxy who can act on the patient’s behalf. Ideally, this person was selected by the patient beforehand...