It's scary to think about having a medical emergency and not being able to speak to tell the EMT's who to call. Well, if you carry a cell phone, one solution is to put the names and numbers of your emergency contacts in there. EMT's, firefighters, and other first responders know to look there....
Continue reading…
More Reasons to Write up a Caregiver Contract
I've been writing a lot about caregiver contracts lately. That's because they represent the ideal solution for so many families.
Many children become part-time or even full-time caregivers for their aging parents. Sometimes a child needs to be paid for this - usually that is the only way she can afford to leave her...
Continue reading…
Massachusetts Expands Veterans Benefits
On Veterans Day 2009, Governor Patrick signed into law a range of new or increased benefits for veterans. One component is additional “welcome home” bonuses for soldiers completing multiple tours of duty. Until now, they received a bonus only upon returning home from the first tour.
A forward-thinking provision is to allow veterans...
Continue reading…
US Census: Beware Scammers
The US Census, conducted every ten years, is underway. You can count on scammers to use the opportunity to try to rip people off.
A Census worker will be coming to your door. They will have an identification badge, a copy of the letter that was previously sent to you by the Census...
Continue reading…
Veterans Benefits: Aid & Attendance Benefits
Most of my clients need a little extra help at home but aren’t sure how to pay for it. When we look at their savings and project how long those funds will work for them, the bottom line is usually this: if the client had just a little more cushion, they could stay...
Continue reading…
Howard Gleckman’s Caring for Our Parents
I’ve been reading Howard Gleckman’s book, Caring for Our Parents, in which he examines the long-term care system of today and the future. Essentially, if we keep on doing things as we are now (expect people to use up their savings to stay at home or in assisted living, have...
Continue reading…
Does Your Special Needs Child Really Need a Guardianship?
Last week I gave a presentation to Weymouth parents of special needs young adults, and from our conversation, it was clear that the school system was telling them that when a special needs child turns 18, the family must obtain a guardianship. As I’ve written elsewhere, this costs money, involves lawyers, and requires...
Continue reading…
What Goes into a Caregiver Contract?
If as a parent and child, you have agreed that the child will care for her parent in exchange for compensation, you need to work with an elder law attorney to draft a caregiver contract, as discussed in earlier posts.
What will your attorney put into the contract? She will list...
Continue reading…
Helping an SSI Recipient (or Anyone) Manage Money
Do you help someone manage their money? Perhaps you are a representative payee on the Social Security checks of an SSI recipient? Or maybe you are the trustee of a special needs trust?
Would the person whose money you manage – let’s call her the recipient – like to have some...
Continue reading…
Paying Your Children to Care for You? Put it in Writing.
As they need more help with daily tasks, many parents prefer to have their kids helping them rather than hiring an aide. And many children want to be helping their parents, if only they could afford to quit their job.
One solution is for the parent to hire the child. I discuss...
Continue reading…