A Community Resource Guide for Providing Services and Aid to Seniors
No matter your age, being geographically separated from family is tough. For seniors, this separation can turn everyday routines into a serious challenge. If you notice a neighbor or community member struggling in this way, you may be wondering how you can best help. The answer to this question can also get complicated, which is why the legal firm of Brinkley Walser Stoner collaborated with Beverly Nelson of Stand Up for Caregivers on this resource list. How to Help Seniors at Home Caring for a home can be a burden for seniors living alone. Tasks that once were handled relatively easily — like taking care of the lawn, doing dishes, and keeping up on laundry – become more difficult to complete. Consider these options: If it’s within the budget, you could look into helping seniors hire a home cleaning service.Seniors may also appreciate help from specialty pros, like furniture cleaners. Searching for a reputable pro is easy with Angi, which also provides customer reviews and ratings.You can also help seniors who live alone by getting out and running errands.If cooking has become difficult, consider meal and food delivery like Meals on Wheels. Helping Seniors Around Town Driving can be unsafe or inaccessible for seniors. But that doesn’t mean it’s a ticket to social isolation and loneliness, which should be avoided. According to a report in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, seniors who stop driving are nearly twice as likely to become depressed. Do not despair — transportation help is available: Most communities offer free public transportation for adults who are 65+.If you’re highly motivated, you could set...
The Value in National Elder Law Month
Ryan McNeill For over 40 years the month of May has been designated as a time to acknowledge and give a voice to seniors. Since its declaration in 1963 as “Senior Citizens Month” by President John F. Kennedy, the title has evolved into National Elder Law Month. With help and support from The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) National Elder Law Month every year during the month of May attorneys in the field of elder law provide information, materials, resources, and legal direction to their communities. Why National Elder Law Month is Important? Having May designated as National Elder Law Month highlights and brings awareness of legal issues and problems seniors or caretakers of seniors may be dealing with. Whether you have just reached the age of being considered a senior or you are the legal caretaker of an individual who is a senior, knowing your rights within elder law is important. Elder Law Practice AreasNot all areas of elder law apply to every individual. An elder law attorney can help you determine what areas might be applicable to the situation you are encountering. Depending on your situation an Elder law attorney can practice in many areas that may include but are not limited to: Estate PlanningAsset Protection PlanningLong-term Care PlanningSpecial Needs TrustsRetirement PlanningMedical Directive If you, a family member or a loved one need legal help or assistance, remember it’s never too late to plan. For more information, make your appointment with an elder law attorney at Brinkley Walser...
Watch Out For Scams
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...
Unexpected Medical Bills Impact Seniors
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....