Alcohol & Substance Abuse: The Invisible Epidemic for Seniors

Old Couple

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…

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What’s the 411 on 911?

Emergency Vehicles

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…

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Have You Received The Medicaid Estate Recovery Form?

Durable Financial Power of Attorney

Our office has received questions from our clients about a form that Medicaid recipients have received from the Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS). The form is called the “Official Notice of Georgia Medicaid Estate Recovery Program,” also referred to as “Form DMA 315.”  In last week’s Hurley Elder Care Law blog, we touched…

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Will Medicaid Take My House?

House and Medicaid

  Families who haven’t engaged in asset protection are often surprised when they discover there’s a claim against the family house filed by Georgia’s Medicaid program. The rules about homeownership and Medicaid can be very confusing! A nursing home resident can own a home and still receive Medicaid benefits because the home is considered an…

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Medicaid When Both Spouses Need A Nursing Home

Nursing Home Medicaid for Spouses

Hurley Elder Care Law often discusses the protections for married couples when one spouse enters the nursing home and the other resides at home or in a community. But what happens when both spouses require nursing home level care? This occurs more often than you may think, and the Medicaid rules are quite different when…

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How Do Burial Contracts Work with GA Nursing Home Medicaid?

Burial Contract Image

Burial Contracts and Medicaid Eligibility Last week, we discussed the complexities of how life insurance impacts Nursing Home Medicaid eligibility. However, what if the Medicaid applicant does not have life insurance but would like a plan in place to help their family pay for final expenses? Many people will consider paying in advance for funeral…

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Life Insurance and Medicaid Eligibility

Picture of Medicaid

As we have pointed out in previous blogs, applying for Nursing Home Medicaid can be tricky. There are assets an applicant can have which are ‘countable’ while others are ‘exempt’. Furthermore, there are Medicaid eligibility rules even within these assets which can get the applicant denied if not addressed properly by an experienced elder law…

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Do You Love Your Pet?

elderly couple with dog

It’s no secret that the Hurley Elder Care Law team loves their pets! Pets provide love and companionship to people of all ages but caring for a furry friend is especially beneficial for older adults. There are many ways you can plan to age while being a loving pet owner.   Pets Do Improve Your…

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Why Should You Have a Pet Trust?

Dogs and Pet Trusts

What is a pet trust and how can establishing one help you take care of your furry friends? For many of us, a pet is a true part of the family. There are proven health benefits to owning a pet like an increase in your physical activity and more social interaction. Pets provide valuable companionship…

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