Nov 20, 2019 | Estate Planning |
Ryan McNeil | November of 1983 marked the official designation of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Communities since then have made it their mission to not only increase awareness of the disease but raise funds toward the research for a cure, too. What is Alzheimer’s? According to the National Institute of Aging, Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia. It is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s. However, with new medical treatments, clinical trials, and with the help of advancements in technology doctors provide Alzheimer’s patients with a somewhat better quality of life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports “The number of people living with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65 and this number is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060.” Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Every person who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is the not the same. There are signs or indicators that manifest differently in people. However, there are symptoms that you should be on the look out for. According to the Alzheimer’s Association there are 10 symptoms of Alzheimer’s Memory loss that disrupts daily lifeChallenges in planning or solving problemsDifficulty completing familiar tasksConfusion with time or placeTrouble understanding visual images and spatial relationshipsNew problems with words in speaking or writingMisplacing things and losing the ability to retrace stepsDecreased or poor judgmentWithdrawal from work or social activitiesChanges in mood and personality Who Does Alzheimer’s Affect? Regular responsibilities like remembering to pay bills, turning off electrical appliances or just trying...
Oct 16, 2019 | Elder Law |
Bradley Hunt While con artists may target anyone, older Americans are often seen as an easier target. Seniors should not have to worry about scams, con artists, or losing money to dishonest people. Sadly, statistics show that is the case for a lot of older Americans. According to a 2019 article by CNBC contributor, Maggie Fitzgerald, “Seniors lose an estimated $2.9 billion annually from financial exploitation.” That is a disturbing statistic. Why Target Seniors? Why do scammers target senior citizens? They believe seniors will be more likely to fall for their scams. Advancements in technology have made it easier for scammers to target unsuspecting consumers. Age, income level, or lack of understanding can be contributing factors in scams targeting seniors. Scammers have even gotten good at spoofing phone numbers to make it appear they are coming from a legitimate source and many of the emails they send look and sound like they are coming from real companies. Common Scams According to the National Council of Aging, there are 10 common scams used on seniors. Medicare/health insurance scams Counterfeit prescription drugs Funeral & cemetery scams Fraudulent anti-aging products Telemarketing/phone scams Internet fraud Investment schemes Homeowner/reverse mortgage scams Sweepstakes & lottery scams The grandparent scam The National Council of Aging also states that telemarketing and phone scams are the most common among senior citizens. Protecting Yourself Sometimes it can be hard to know if you are being scammed or taken advantage of. The North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ), however, gives great tips on how consumers of any age can protect themselves. Top Five Consumer Tips from the NCDOJ Say...
Sep 16, 2019 | Traffic & DWI |
By Drew Nelson If you’ve never had the pleasure of being pulled over for a traffic ticket in North Carolina, then count yourself lucky. If you have, then you know all too well the trouble, stress, and aggravation that comes with a traffic ticket. It’s important for all drivers to be well-informed of their options in any traffic case. Knowing common traffic violations – and avoiding them – is one way that drivers can limit the trouble associated with receiving a traffic violation. North Carolina assigns points for certain violations. If those points accumulate, you may have your license suspended or revoked for some period of time. What Are Common Traffic Violations? While it’s not necessary to know every traffic law in the book, it’s important to be aware of the most common traffic violations committed by drivers: Speeding Failure to come to a complete stop (red light or stop sign)Unsafe lane changeImproperly passing a school busParking in a no-parking zone (points are not allocated for most parking violations) Danger in Paying Traffic Tickets A lot of people ask, should I just pay the traffic ticket? Paying for a traffic ticket can sometimes do more harm than good. It’s no fun having to pay a traffic ticket and having that violation on your driving record. When a driver agrees to pay for a speeding ticket or other driving violations, they are agreeing to more than just paying a penalty. Paying the ticket is admitting you are guilty of the offense. In some cases, after a driver has received a ticket, fines can be added. In addition to fines, The...
Aug 19, 2019 | Elder Law |
By Ryan McNeill Many Medicare recipients are being stuck with excessive hospital bills from a practice called “observation care.” According to Kaiser Health News the term “observation care” is defined as care provided by hospitals “for patients who are not well enough to go home but not sick enough to be admitted.” Inpatient vs. Outpatient While the patient may believe they have been admitted to the hospital if their visit is coded as observation care, Medicare pays under its Part B rules (inpatient care is covered under Part A). For patients without gap coverage, this means they will be responsible for 20% of the bill. Medicare has strict rules related to when a patient should be admitted, so hospitals and doctors often keep patients for observation care for up to three days. During this time, the patient can be treated in the hospital and receive the same care as an admitted patient. After treatment, the physician and hospital then decide if the Medicare recipient will be admitted as an inpatient or released for further outpatient services. Unfortunately, even when hospitals tell patients they are there under observation care and have not been admitted, many do not understand the implications. While they can appeal to the hospital at that point, patients who do not do so are often surprised with a bill they cannot afford to pay and have no option to appeal. Skilled Nursing Facilities If the patient is released to go home, the hospital bill without gap coverage may be a struggle. The biggest surprise, however, may come if the patient requires skilled nursing care after being released....
Jul 31, 2019 | Estate Planning |
By David Inabinett, Attorney at Law We often talk about the importance of having Advance Directives as part of your estate plan. These documents help you maintain control over your care even if you are not in a position to make a decision for yourself. A MOST form (Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment) is a formal medical order that goes beyond the standard healthcare directives and allows the patient to define exactly how extensive treatment should be. The MOST form must be completed with your doctor. He or she will review each statement and ensure you understand the implications of your choices. Section A of the document is a standard Do Not Resuscitate order (DNR) that indicates whether you want CPR performed should your heart stop. Sections B, C and D cover various medical interventions, from administration of antibiotics to whether you wish to be put on a ventilator. After you complete the form with your doctor, you will both sign it and it will become part of your medical records. You and the doctor must review the form every year and re-sign to indicate your decisions are still the same. If you change your mind, the old form will be marked VOID and a new form completed. Healthcare providers at the doctor’s office, hospital, or long-term care facility will follow the MOST instructions and call your doctor for follow up care. (Note: EMTs in North Carolina and many other states are required to make every effort to save your life; they are not able to honor MOST or DNR agreements. Depending on your situation, you may want...
