Tag Archives: elder law
Power of Attorney or Guardianship for My Elderly Parents?
Life often times comes full circle. When we are young, our parents make our decisions for us. They look out for our best interests and, in many cases, help us manage our money. As adults, we may have to step up and provide the same support to our parents that they provided to us in our youth. When an elderly loved one is unable toContinue reading
Study Reveals Alarming Discrepancies in Hospitals’ Brain Death Policies
At a pivotal point in the 1987 fantasy film, The Princess Bride, a comic-relief character played by comedian Billy Crystal declares that the story’s protagonist is “only mostly dead,” and that “mostly dead is slightly alive.” In the context of the movie, of course, the exchange was meant to be humorous, setting the stage for a miraculous return from the brink of death. However, in realContinue reading
New Law Permits Nursing Home Monitoring Devices
According to AARP Illinois State Director Bob Gallo, public health officials in Illinois receive about 19,000 complaints each year from residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Throughout the past year, the state legislature and Governor Bruce Rauner officially took a stand against nursing home negligence and abuse by passing a measure designed to protect some of Illinois’ most at-risk residents. Beginning in 2016, IllinoisContinue reading
Robin Williams’ Widow: Comedian’s Death Was Related to a Form of Dementia
The entertainment world was sent reeling last August when it learned of the suicide death of actor and comedian Robin Williams. At the time, the award-winning entertainer’s family requested privacy as they looked to make sense of the terrible tragedy. Now, his widow Susan, to whom he had been married since 2011 has indicated in an interview with People magazine that Williams’ autopsy revealed that he wasContinue reading
Living Wills and Death Delaying Procedures
The state of Illinois expressly recognizes the rights of its citizens to make their own decisions regarding the medical care they wish to receive, even following the diagnosis or acquisition of a terminal condition. According to the law, a person may choose to have death delaying procedures withheld or withdrawn in accordance with his or own personal desires, regardless of his or her ability toContinue reading
How Much Does Quality of Life Matter?
Despite tabloid claims that 50 is the new 30, and incredible advancements in personal care products which allow people to maintain a youthful appearance much longer than ever before, the fact remains that getting older is unavoidable. For many, advancement in age leads to some rather difficult considerations, particularly when it comes to deciding how to handle end-of-life concerns. One of the most controversial topics that elderlyContinue reading
Can Adult Children Be Held Responsible for Nursing Home Costs?
As the average life expectancy in this country increases, one of the most difficult decisions that many adult children are faced with is placing their elderly parents in nursing homes. A recent ruling by the Ohio Court of Appeals reaffirms the importance of families consulting with elder law attorneys when making decisions that involve an older family member’s future and long-term care. The decision to place aContinue reading
How to Keep Nursing Home Costs from Wiping Out Assets
Statistics show that the average life expectancy for Americans keeps increasing. The average life expectancy of men right now is 84.3 years of age. For women, it is 86.6. Along with increased longevity comes the reality of living with illnesses and diseases that often afflict the elderly. Many of these conditions eventually require an individual to be placed in a long-term care facility, such as aContinue reading