Do I Really Need a Health Care Proxy?

April 23, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Long-Term Care Planning, Power of Attorney

An Advance Directive/Living Will is that type of document. It provides authorization for the termination of life support. It is a document that only you can sign – you cannot delegate the power to make that decision.

C19 UPDATE: CDC Recommends Care Plans for Both Older Adults and Caregivers

April 17, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Long-Term Care Planning, Power of Attorney

During the COVID-19 pandemic, having a care plan is an important part of emergency preparedness for older adults and their caregivers.

How to Assist Aging Parents During the Pandemic

April 15, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Law, Long-Term Care Planning

How to Assist Aging Parents During the Pandemic If your parents are getting on in years, you may be helping them with their finances and other matters, such as medical visits and shopping. You may live close by and be…

Why Is Estate Planning more Complicated with a ‘Gray Divorce’?

April 15, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Long-Term Care Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate/Trust Administration

Rising divorce rates among Americans over the age of 50 are causing more conflict in estate planning, new data shows. According to a recent survey by TD Wealth, up to 40% of financial planners say that rising gray divorce rates are leading to an increase in family strife with estate planning as the top conflict.

Medicare and Medicaid Will Cover Coronavirus Testing

April 13, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Elder Law, Life Insurance, Long-Term Care Planning

Medicare and Medicaid Will Cover Coronavirus Testing With coronavirus dominating news coverage and creating alarm, it is important to know that Medicare and Medicaid will cover tests for the virus. The department of Health and Human Services has designated the…

Staying Connected to Family Members in a Nursing Home When Visits are Banned

Staying Connected to Family Members in a Nursing Home When Visits are Banned The spread of the coronavirus to nursing home residents has caused the federal government to direct nursing homes to restrict visitor access, and many assisted livingfacilities have…

Medicare is Expanding Telehealth Services During Coronavirus Pandemic

Medicare is Expanding Telehealth Services During Coronavirus Pandemic As part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic, the federal government is broadly expanding coverage of Medicare telehealth services to beneficiaries and relaxing HIPAA enforcement. This will give doctors the…

Funerals are the Latest Part of America to Move Online

April 9, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Long-Term Care Planning

Funerals are the Latest Part of America to Move Online Amidst the current pandemic, the Center for Control and Prevention has urged funeral directors around the country to move funeral services online. So for the immediate future, even for those…

C19 UPDATE: Keeping Ourselves and Our Elderly Loved Ones Safer

April 8, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Long-Term Care Planning

If you’re caring for an older loved one, you might be worried. Here is what you need to know to keep elderly people safer, and what to do if they do show symptoms of COVID-19.

What Is the VA’s Plan for Long-Term Care for Baby Boomers?

March 31, 2020
Bill O’Leary, Esq.
Asset Protection, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Long-Term Care Planning

In a hearing last week, lawmakers expressed eagerness to learn about the Department of Veterans Affairs' plan to provide in-home and institutional long-term health care to a coming ‘silver tsunami’ of aging Baby Boomers.