Baseball, RBIs and Caregivers
Dear Will, A couple weeks ago you had a great night at the ballpark. Your team was behind (and eventually lost, but that’s not a big deal). You came to…
MS’s New POST Gives Power to Personal Health Decisions
One essential part of every personal estate plan is the Advance Health-care Directive (AHCD). This document allows you to name the persons who would have authority to make medical or…
Indoor Cold Increases Risk of Falls in Older Women
Turning down the thermostat to save some money could cost older women by raising their risk of falls, according to a new European study. In an experiment with 88 women…
Uncle Brewer’s Bed
Dear Melissa, Last night I slept in your room. Even though you have been gone from this house for over a decade, it still is hard not to think of…
How To Pass Wealth Down To Your Kids (or Grandkids)
“So you’re here to do some estate planning. What are your goals?” I asked Martha, a lovely lady in her 60s. “Well, I want to help my children out if…
The Life Care Plan – Helping You Care For Mom
A Common Family Crisis. Consider the following situation: Your mom has recently begun to suffer the effects of dementia, stroke or other incapacitating illness. You have a spouse and full-time…
Ice Break on the Santa Cruz – and the Importance of Elder Law
Last week, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) held its 2014 Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was another great time of re-uniting with many long-time friends and…
You Must Take This Important Step by April 16!
March 31 was a sad but important anniversary. Nine years ago on that date, Terri Schiavo died. But not before her husband and parents battled for over 15 years in…
ABA Commission Develops App for Healthcare Directives
April 16 was National Health Care Decisions Day, and we posted an article in our last newsletter emphasizing the importance of having a current Advance Health Care Directive. This document…
Hospital Visits Fell When Seniors Got Part D Drug Coverage
On January 1, 2006 the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (known as Medicare Part D) added prescription drug coverage to Medicare. The cost of such medications…