disease

The Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

by with No Comment Elder Law
disease

Many people think that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are interchangeable terms for the same medical condition. This is not the case. Dementia is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of conditions associated with memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease, on the other hand, is a specific type of dementia. Let’s look at some of the similarities and differences between the two.

The causes and symptoms of dementia.

Dementia, in general, is caused by damage to cells in the brain resulting in the damaged cells inability to function the way they normally would. There are a variety of factors that can lead to brain cell damage, and these factors are what often distinguish one type of dementia from another. For instance, what is known as vascular dementia is typically caused by a stroke, whereas Lewy body dementia is caused by protein deposits (Lewy bodies) forming in sections of the brain responsible for memory, thinking, and motor control. Unfortunately, scientists do not know what causes Lewy bodies to form in the first place.

While the symptoms of dementia vary from one case to the next, they may include:

  • Loss of memory
  • Difficulty with planning and organization
  • Disorientation
  • An inability to perform complicated tasks
  • Agitation and paranoia
  • Hallucinations
  • Depression
  • Spatial and visual challenges

Next time, we’ll discuss the causes and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Elderly man speaking with elder law attorney about his long-term care needs

Know Your Options: The Spectrum of Long-Term Care

by with No Comment Elder Law

Elderly man speaking with elder law attorney about his long-term care needs

You’ve no doubt heard about assisted living and nursing home care, but there are many other long-term care options available. An article by U.S. News & World Report provides an introduction to the types of care now available. You can read the full article here.

Adult Day Care

Adult day care offers relief to family caregivers and a safe, social environment for older adults. It is suitable for people with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, or other forms of dementia; people who could benefit from speech, music, occupational, or physical therapy; and elders who crave activities and interaction with peers. Adult day care centers for people with dementia occasionally offer nighttime hours in recognition of the fact that some seniors are more active at night.

Aging in Place

The concept behind aging in place is to live independently in your own home and community as you grow older. Home modifications such as widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs and installing grab bars in bathrooms make aging in place possible. Even people with chronic medical conditions can remain at home longer with the help of home health care aides.

In-Home Health Aide

As the name implies, home health aides provide services in an elder’s own home. For example, certified nursing assistants or patient care assistants under a registered nurse’s direction can provide health-related services such as checking vital signs, changing bandages, and assisting with medications or medical equipment. In addition, home health aides or elder companions can assist with personal chores such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation, and bathing. You can find in-home health aides through a home-care agency.

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

Continuing care retirement communities offer a “tiered” or “one-stop” approach to meeting the needs of aging adults by providing a wide range of care options at a single location. The spectrum of care starts with independent living in single-family condominiums or apartments for relatively healthy adults. As a senior’s daily needs change, he or she can transition to on-site assisted living or nursing home facilities. This convenience comes at a price, however. CCRCs are expensive and often include substantial upfront entrance fees and monthly charges. Upon enrolling in a CCRC, residents typically select from extended (all-inclusive), modified, or fee-for-service contracts.

Elder Co-Housing

Co-housing is a community-focused arrangement that combines private homes with shared gathering spaces. Co-housing communities for those over 55 years of age may be particularly attractive for seniors who want to live among peers who share common interests and hobbies. As of this writing, co-housing options are rather limited. You can learn more about this option by visiting the Cohousing Association of the United States website.

Next time we’ll look at foster care, post-acute care, assisted living, and nursing home care.

pet trust concept: golden retriever laying under a blanked on the bed

Reward Your Pet With the Best Treat of All

by with No Comment Elder Law

pet trust concept: golden retriever laying under a blanked on the bed

According to the American Humane Society, approximately 46 percent of households have at least one dog and 39 percent of households have at least one cat. We love our pets, and they provide us with plenty of love in return. Tragically, however, shelters and veterinarians euthanize approximately 500,000 pets each year when their owners predecease them.

What is a Pet Trust?

How can you be sure your beloved animal companion will receive proper care when you are no longer able to provide it yourself? A trust may be the answer. The main objective of using a trust to care for your pet is to provide a flexible method for managing financial assets for the benefit of any pets that survive you. The appropriate amount of money to fund the trust varies according to your pet’s age, condition and needs.

How Does a Pet Trust Work?

With a properly designed trust, you can also designate a party to act as “caretaker” for your pet. Needless to say, this is a very important decision. Don’t assume the person you choose will accept the responsibility—always ask. You can name alternates if your first choice is unable to serve in this capacity when the time comes. In addition, your trust should provide detailed instructions to your caretaker. This can include everything from your pet’s favorite food and toys to his or her sleeping arrangements.

To learn more about pet trusts, we invite you to contact us for a personal meeting.

long term insurance

With Premiums Rising Dramatically, Should You Keep Your Long-Term Care Insurance?

by Elder Law

long term insurance

When clients ask us whether it is right for them, we consider their overall plan and unique situation. Sometimes we recommend long-term care insurance, sometimes we don’t, depending on the client’s needs and goals.

But what if you’ve already purchased long-term care insurance, and you’ve seen your premiums rise dramatically in recent years? First of all, you’re not alone. In some cases, premiums have gone up as much as 40 to 60 percent in recent years. The reason is that many insurance companies have suffered major losses on policies written more than ten years ago, and they are looking to recoup those losses. (A number of companies no longer offer long-term care insurance at all.)

If your premiums have increased, should you keep the policy? Make changes to it? Look for a cheaper one? Here are some factors to consider:

  • If your policy is more than two years old, you probably will not be able to find a cheaper one to replace it if you choose to cancel the existing policy. It may also be harder to qualify for a new policy
  • If your premiums have risen more than 20%, you may want to reduce your daily benefit to try and keep the premium down
  • You might be able to reduce your premium by lowering the rate of inflation protection. However, make sure it is not applied retroactively

Contact a New York Elder Law Attorney

Given that every family is unique, with particular needs and goals, it is advisable to discuss matters such as long-term care insurance with an experienced elder law attorney. We can review your policy and your existing plan to determine whether it is in your best interests to keep your existing policy. We can also recommend other tools and strategies that can help ensure you get the long-term care you need without losing your life savings. Contact us today for a consultation.

Senior Woman Comforting Man With Depression At Home

A Designer Has Created Tableware to Help People With Dementia

by Elder Law

Senior woman comforting man with Dementia at home

Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases can make even basic tasks extraordinarily difficult. Designer Sha Yao saw this firsthand when her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In response, she created Eatwell, a seven-piece tableware set. It features bright, primary colors, which Yao chose based on a Boston University study that showed individuals with cognitive impairment consumed 84 percent more liquid and 24 percent more food when they were served in brightly-colored containers.

Other features of the tableware set include cups and bowls with angled bases. This allows contents to shift naturally to one side and make them easier to drink or scoop up. The accompanying spoons are ergonomically designed to correspond to the contours of the bowls. In addition, the tableware set has holes with flaps at the edge of the tray where a napkin, bib or apron can be tucked to prevent spills. The set’s drinkware features wide bases, reducing the likelihood that they will be knocked over.

“Raising awareness and addressing the needs of people with impairments will allow them to maintain their dignity, retain as much independence as possible, and reduce the burden on their caretakers,” said Yao. “That’s what made designing the Eatwell tableware set so rewarding.”

Learn more about the set here.

Contact Us

If you have additional questions or concerns regarding estate planning and Dementia, contact the experienced New York Elder Law attorneys at Amoruso & Amoruso LLP by calling (914) 253-9255 to schedule an appointment.

family man

Managing Your Loved One’s Legal Needs: A Checklist for Caregivers

by Elder Law

Serving as a caregiver may require you to oversee your loved one’s legal affairs. A recent article on AARP’s website addressed this issue and included a legal checklist for Caregivers. Here are the highlights.

Obtain Essential Legal Documents

Your loved one should have the following key legal documents: a Will, a Power of Attorney, and  Advance Directives. We will discuss these documents in greater detail later. For now, it is important to note that these documents should be created, signed, and witnessed while your loved one is still capable of making legal decisions on his or her own.

Get the Whole Family Involved

It is important to have everyone in the family participate in caregiving decisions whenever possible. You may even want to put into writing “who is responsible for what.” While this is not a legal document, it can help avoid disagreements in the future.

Love One Another - Focus on the Family

Organize Your Loved One’s Important Papers

In addition to the essential legal documents mentioned above, you’ll want to find and organize a number of other documents, including:

  • Birth and Marriage Certificates
  • Divorce Decree
  • Citizenship Papers
  • Death Certificate of a Spouse or Parent
  • Deeds to Cemetery Plots
  • Military Discharge Papers
  • Insurance Policies
  • Pension Benefits

Investigate Opportunities for Financial Assistance

There are a number of programs and services available to elders and/or individuals with disabilities. These include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), veterans benefits, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicare, and Medicaid. You can use online tools like the AARP Foundation’s Local Assistance Directory and the National Council on Aging’s Benefits Checkup to determine local, state, and federal programs for which your loved one might be eligible.

 

You should also examine your loved one’s retirement and insurance plans to see if any of them cover in-home care, skilled nursing care, mental health services, physical therapy, and other forms of short-term assistance. Your loved one’s life insurance policy might even provide accelerated death payments to help pay for long-term care.

 

Also, if you must take a leave of absence from your job to care for a loved one, you may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. In addition, some employers offer paid family leave, and five states (New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington, and California) plus the District of Columbia have laws mandating paid leave for caregiving. Several other states are set to implement such laws by 2023.

Explore Tax Breaks and Life Insurance Deals

Your loved one may be able to receive federal tax deductions for health care expenses such as a wheelchair or hospital bed, remodeling the home to make it more accessible, and hiring a short-term or part-time home health aide to provide respite for the primary caregiver. Be sure to save receipts for all medical expenses.

 

You can read the entire AARP article here:

https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2020/caregivers-legal-checklist.html