Posts by Miles Hurley
Barriers to accepting a POA
“No,” “Denied,” “We can’t accept that,” … These are all words our client families hear daily when presenting a General Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Matters (POA) at a financial institution. To protect an account holder’s assets, many banks will refuse to accept a power of attorney. They fear fraud and exploitation, so they…
Read MoreDehydration and Seniors: A Risky Situation
Whew… we all know the feeling of stepping outside and being hit with the heat and humidity of our Georgia summer. Drinking enough water is important for everyone, but especially seniors who are at greater risk for dehydration. Why do seniors get dehydrated easily? The simple answer is they naturally have less water in their…
Read MoreHow to Avoid Medication Mix-Ups
I often fill my mother’s pillbox for her and am always surprised at the number of medications she takes. I do my best to organize them but worry about her taking them correctly and wonder what would happen if she mixed them up. It appears we have good reason for concern. So how do you…
Read MoreWhat are Exempt and Countable Assets for Georgia Medicaid?
We have written recent blogs on Georgia Medicaid. Today we will dig deeper into what are exempt and countable assets. We know it sounds complicated, but they play a crucial role in qualifying for Medicaid. Exempt assets are those that Medicaid will not include in the asset total to determine eligibility. In Georgia, the following…
Read MoreHow Does the VA Benefit Work with Medicaid?
Last week we discussed VA Aid and Attendance and how it helps families supplement high care costs. Unfortunately, there are times when the VA benefit alone is not enough. Nursing home costs average between $7,000-$10,000 per month! Many people must obtain Medicaid benefits to fully cover the costs of care. So how does the VA…
Read MoreUnlocking the Hidden Veterans Benefit
“I am a veteran. How can the VA help me?” This is a popular question we receive daily. As veterans age their need for care often increases. Among their concerns, many think they must have been wounded or disabled while serving to receive help from the VA or they must be served at a VA…
Read MoreMental Health Crisis for Older Adults- How to Get Help
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. During the past few years, we have all learned more about the importance of both mental and physical health. However, the impact of mental health on aging adults can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. Some Worrisome Facts The CDC has reported 20% of people aged 55 years or…
Read MorePetition for Year’s Support: How Can it Help You After a Loved One’s Death?
Have you heard of petitioning the Georgia probate courts for “Year’s Support”? Not many people are aware of this procedure to administer an estate or probate a Will. A year’s support award is a permanent award of property from a decedent’s estate to the decedent’s surviving spouse, surviving minor children, or both. It comes from a…
Read MoreAlcohol & Substance Abuse: The Invisible Epidemic for Seniors
Many of us picture the golden years as a time for travel, finding hobbies, and spending time with family and friends. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for many seniors. Substance abuse among older adults is often referred to as an ‘Invisible Epidemic’. Alcohol and prescription drug abuse among adults 60 and older is one of…
Read MoreWhat’s the 411 on 911?
Ring Ring Ring! “911, what is your emergency?” Since childhood, we have all been taught to dial 911 in an emergency and wait for those familiar words. 911 is a free emergency phone number used to request immediate assistance from emergency services—police, fire department, and emergency medical services (EMS)—in the case of life-threatening emergencies and…
Read More
