Dementia is not an all-or-nothing disease – it progresses over time, adding more and more levels of complication as time passes. While there is no cure for dementia, it is possible to treat it and slow its effects if it’s caught early enough. Knowing the different stages of dementia can help you support your loved one appropriately and prepare for the right level of care when it’s needed. The following is an explanation of the six stages of dementia, including the significant changes and milestones you should be aware of for your loved one. Continue reading

As we age, the importance of our healthcare directives increases along with the likelihood that we’ll need more care in a hospital or care community. Healthcare directives come into play if you become incapacitated, and they let your family and care providers know what level of care you want, who should make healthcare decisions for you and who should be made aware of your medical conditions. There are three main types of healthcare directives: living will, healthcare power of attorney and HIPAA release form. Continue reading

Seniors suffering from dementia can require a significant amount of care depending on how advanced their disease has become. Caregivers can often provide the right amount of care for their loved ones while dementia is still in an early stage, but eventually the senior will benefit more from being at a dementia care center where the facilities and staff are prepared to offer specialized care. The following are five signs you should look for to know when it’s time to move your loved one to a dementia care center. Continue reading

Paid caregiving services are not always possible for people suffering from Dementia, which means loved ones usually act as caregivers during a difficult time. The primary caregiver, usually a spouse or adult child, may have to provide round-the-clock care, which can exact a heavy toll on the caregiver. Caregivers often require a break to recharge and may turn to other loved ones to help if they can’t afford to hire a professional. Stepping in to help a loved one with Dementia can be tricky, but there are ways to make it work. Here are some tips to help you if you’re providing care for a loved one with Dementia: Continue reading

As people age, new challenges arise – even for issues they thought were already taken care of. For example, many people create estate plans when they’re younger, usually when they first have children, and then leave those plans untouched for several years. During that time, changes occur, and the initial plan might not be suited for your current situation. This is especially true as children age and loved ones pass away as these changes could have a serious impact on the effectiveness of your estate plan. Here are some considerations you should think about for your estate plan: Continue reading

You may have noticed some troubling behavior from your parent recently. Bouts of confusion, difficulty remembering simple details, or maybe car keys being put in a strange place, such as the refrigerator. Unfortunately, these are all early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. If you suspect your parent has Alzheimer’s, it’s imperative that you get them to a doctor as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment right away. While there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are several treatments available that can slow down the disease. Continue reading

At a certain point, your loved one with Dementia may not be able to remain at home and will instead need to reside at a care community that can meet their needs. But, choosing the right Dementia care community can be a daunting task as you need to make sure it’s the correct facility for your parent’s condition and meets other important needs, such as location and cost. Continue reading

The need for extra care as your parent ages is a topic that can cause a lot of anxiety for both you and your parent, mainly because it’s an uncomfortable conversation to have about events neither of you cares to think about. Discussing the need to work with an elder care lawyer can further trigger thoughts about your parent’s mortality, which is something no child wants to deal with at any stage of their life. Continue reading

Social Security benefits represent a large portion of most seniors’ retirement income, but because of the way the system has changed since its introduction more than 80 years ago, it is has become extremely complex and difficult to navigate. Hundreds of amendments have been made to the Social Security Act during that time, which is why it’s important to speak with an elder law attorney in Ohio to find out which Social Security options are out there and right for you. Continue reading

If you already have grandchildren or know your family will grow in the future, it makes sense to consider a 529 plan to help pay for their college education. 529 plans are set up before your grandkids even head out to college and allow you to put money aside for tuition so it will be there when they need it. There are several benefits to using this type of program with the most well-known being the possibility of locking in today’s tuition prices. With the ongoing increase in tuition, paying 2019 prices for a plan which might not be cashed in until 2032 makes good financial sense. Continue reading

Although there are several forms of Dementia, in the US, around 70% of cases are as a result of Alzheimer’s. While these figures may rise in the near future, health scientists are beginning to discover several preventive health measures that may help delay dementia in elderly citizens. Continue reading

One of the major benefits of serving in the United States armed forces is the ability to receive healthcare coverage and services through the Veterans Administration. There are many different benefits available for both veterans and their surviving spouses with varying criteria for each. For instance, wartime veterans are eligible to receive the Aid and Attendance benefit, which helps cover long-term care services. Continue reading

We all know that long-term care is expensive, especially when specialized care for diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s is needed. On average, a person can expect to pay $8,00 - $10,000 a month for a stay in a typical care center, without adding any extra costs for specialized dementia care. This is why long-term care insurance was created, but unfortunately, in most cases, it will not cover all the care required. Continue reading

Dementia is one of the most devastating conditions affecting seniors, resulting in an eventual loss of cognitive functions. While there is no cure for dementia or the two leading diseases that cause dementia, Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia, there are treatments that can slow the effects and help make life more manageable. In order for these treatments to be effective, dementia must be caught early. That is why Ohio elder lawyers want people in the community to know some of the more common warning signs of dementia. Continue reading

We know that criminals and scam artists target the elderly; they are vulnerable, and con-artists prey upon them hoping for a large payday from a senior who has accumulated wealth over his or her lifetime. Our Ohio elder lawyers have outlined various steps that can be taken to protect your older loved ones from financial scams whether they come from near or far. Continue reading

Baby It’s Cold Outside! Are you noticing any concerning or alarming changes in your older loved ones over the Winter months? The Holidays and the Winter months that follow can be a challenging time for all of us. It sometimes happens that we begin to notice some initially concerning changes in our loved ones during this time. Continue reading

Seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s require a significant amount of care as the disease progresses and will typically need to receive care at a specialized dementia facility. This type of care can quickly drain resources, but it can also be covered by Medicaid. However, since Medicaid is a needs-based program, qualifying for benefits can be difficult if applicants own too many assets. Additionally, applicants may be disqualified if they made any asset transfers during the 5-year look-back period. Luckily, there are ways to reduce assets through qualified spending to ensure your loved one receives Medicaid benefits and the care they need at a specialized dementia care center. Continue reading

Many senior citizens become close with a partner, oftentimes after the passing of a spouse, but do not want to make a commitment to marriage right away. Companionship may be all they’re seeking, or they don’t want to tackle the daunting task of blended family planning. Continue reading

Entering a long-term care center is a difficult process for patients and their loved ones. Not only do they have to contend with the reasons that led them to the center and emotional toll such a stay can have on a family, but they must also consider how to pay for the care and what will happen if they cannot afford it. This last piece is one that keeps patients and loved ones up at night. Continue reading

Guardianship cases for loved ones suffering from dementia can be complicated and expensive, especially without the help or advice of an experienced Ohio elder law attorney. Each guardianship case must go through the court system, but proper planning can help the process go smoothly. Continue reading

The legal competence of a senior citizen suffering from dementia is a cause for concern, especially for loved ones who are worried about issues stemming from financial dealings and disputed inheritances. Experienced Ohio elder law attorneys are trained to determine a senior’s legal competency, even in cases when the senior suffers from dementia, because of the impact it has on long-term care planning. Continue reading

There’s more than just one type of Power of Attorney (POA) available for elder law purposes. They include medical, financial, real estate only, durable, and springing Powers of Attorney. The two most common, though, are durable and springing. The following explains everything you need to know about the two and how they impact your elder care planning. Continue reading

The thought of a spouse having Alzheimer’s and needing long-term care at a nursing home can bring on a lot of anxiety, especially when logistical concerns and care coordination issues are brought to the forefront of the move. When you throw any sort of financial planning for Medicaid eligibility into the mix, you’re just adding more stress to the situation. Continue reading

The Living Will, along with the Power of Attorney, Last Will and Testament, and Revocable Living Trust, is a core document that everyone should have when making an elder law plan. Sometimes called a medical Power of Attorney, the Living Will serves two main purposes when it comes into use when a person is incapacitated and cannot make their own health care decisions: It names health care representatives to act on the person’s behalf and informs health care providers of the person’s wishes regarding medical treatment. Continue reading

Whether you’re a spouse, child, or loved one, caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is a daunting task that will impact both your professional and personal life. You’ll have to provide care for a loved one during this difficult time, while also making sure that you stay up to the task. Below are five tips to help you cope while giving care to a loved one with Alzheimer’s Continue reading