Talks between President Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner to avert the “fiscal cliff” continue this weeks. While not the only leaders involved in the effort, most disagreement on the issues exist between the President and House Republicans. Some observers are confident that the parties will reach an…
One critical piece of federal legislation affecting senior citizens across the country is the Older Americans Act. Perhaps the most significant budgetary portion of the Act is spending for Meals on Wheels programs. The idea behind the program is simple: seniors living in their own home receive daily visits from…
Financial scammers have long targeted the elderly both for their mental/physical vulnerabilities and the fact that they are more likely to have a large nest egg used for retirement. However, in some ways the problems has worsened in recent years. That is because advances in electronic finances have raised much…
Nearly 1 in 5 Americans participate in the Medicaid program. New York state has a higher participation rate than the national average and the largest total expenditures on the program in the country. It is simply undeniable that millions upon millions of Americans–from children to the elderly–depend upon this program.…
It is perhaps every senior’s worst nightmare: a dispute over their finances influences the care they receive in their later years. It seems self-evident that nothing should get in the way of making medical and caregiving decisions based on maximizing a senior’s quality of life–not maximizing an inheritance for others…
Not long ago a few residents received some disturbing news–the New York Medicaid support that they counted on to survive was being cut back. Many of these community members had severe disabilities, needing help with every aspect of their life, from dressing and bathing to eating and traveling. Many seniors…
Lower Hudson Valley News reported last week on the current financial picture of the New York Medicaid program. Many local residents depend on the program to meet their various needs, including long-term care costs. Yet, time and again doomsday projections are offered which rightly confuse those who count on their…
Our New York elder law estate planning lawyers understand that handling long-term planning issues can be particularly delicate when there are second marriages involved. However, it is in these situations, with blended families, when this sort of planning is absolutely critical. Many adult children have natural concern when their parent…
The single most important reason to visit a New York elder law attorney is to learn about various Medicaid Strategies to protect assets from nursing home costs. No matter what one’s situation in life–whether in excellent health with long-term care decades away, on the nursing home doorstep, or even already…
Helping residents ensure that they receive the long-term care that they need without depleting their assets is at the core of all New York elder law services. Some reports indicate that about two-thirds of Americans who reach the age of sixty five will need long-term care at some point. Most…