Posts by Hurley Elder Care Law
Understanding Conservatorship: Protecting Loved Ones From Scammers
“My dad has early stages of dementia. He hasn’t been diagnosed, but we’ve been noticing some major changes over the last year and a half. My mom just discovered that he’s been taking out thousands of dollars from their checking account. When asked about it, he says that he’s just helping a friend out and…
Read MoreCan a Guardianship be Reversed?
“I think that my mom was wrongly appointed a guardian. She has trouble talking and being understood, but she is not crazy or demented. What can I do?” Although rare, there are times when a person has inappropriately been deemed incompetent. Fortunately, the probate courts have a restoration process for terminating the guardianship. This is…
Read MoreUnderstanding Guardianships for a Special Needs Child
In the eyes of the law, every child becomes an adult on their 18th birthday. This milestone can cause anxiety for many parents, especially the parents of special needs children. Up until their 18th birthday, parents (as the legal guardians of their children) have the legal authority to make medical and financial decisions for their…
Read MoreUnderstanding Guardianships: Who can file for guardianships? Must an attorney be involved?
In most situations, Georgia requires that two people file for guardianship. This can be any two persons who will swear to the facts in the petition, or any one person along with a physician’s, licensed clinical social worker’s, or psychologist’s affidavit stating that he or she had examined the Proposed Ward within 15 days prior…
Read MoreWomen – More Vulnerable to Alzheimer’s?
Why do women make up two-thirds of Alzheimer’s cases? Studies are on-going during this month, National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. At the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Dr. Richard Isaacson, neurologist, is determined to find answers to this question and is treating younger people at risk for the disease decades before symptoms show up. Dr. Isaacson…
Read MoreGraying of America is Costly
The graying of America is stretching local tax dollars. More often today, paramedics respond to emergency calls and find an older person who has fallen, broken a bone or suffered a heart attack. Another issue affecting elders is the increasing number of elder-abuse cases and crimes targeting senior citizens. Also, in some areas, greater…
Read MoreLower Cost of Hearing Aids
It may take two to three years for the Food and Drug Administration to establish safety, effectiveness and labeling standards, but the cost of hearing aids will eventually be much lower, around $300 or less per ear. This lowered cost is due to the F.D.A. Reauthorization Act of 2017 which became law in August…
Read MoreDo I need an Advance Directive or a POA?
I have a healthcare power of attorney over my father, and I am the executor of his will. He lives in another state and is currently in a rehab facility. He has no cell phone and no way of communicating from his bed. Can I use that healthcare power of attorney to contact his bank…
Read MoreTransitioning a Loved One
Significant emotions are involved when helping to accommodate a life change for a loved one. Some ways to ease the transition involve not only the person who will have a life changing event but most likely the entire family. Planning at the early stages of dementia can help establish concerns and fears to be dealt…
Read MoreIncreasing Long-Term Care Costs: 2017 Survey
Findings of a new report, the Genworth 2017 Cost of Care Survey, was just released by Genworth Financial. The findings: the median annual cost of a private room in a nursing home is $97,455 ($8,121/month); a semi-private room is $85,775 per year ($7,148/month); a home health aide costs about $49,000 per year ($4,099/month) and…
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