There have been several local incidents over the past couple of months of people with Alzheimer’s who have wandered off. While most of them were found unharmed, in one of these cases, the man was found deceased a few days later. Even if the family has someone with the individual at all times, there is… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Elder Law
Nursing Home? Rest Home? Assisted Living? Making Sense of Housing Options
There are several types of housing available to older and frail people in Massachusetts. Sometimes the different names can be confusing. I have outlined below three of the most common types. Nursing Home: A nursing home is licensed by the Department of Public Health. It provides 24 hour care for people – either those receiving… Continue Reading
Avoiding Telephone Scams
It seems like every other week there are reports from the Hingham police or Massachusetts attorney general about telephone scams targeting seniors. While it is impossible to keep track of all of the variations, there are some themes that should make you suspicious. These warning signs can also be applied to email scams. Beware of… Continue Reading
Gifts for Aging Parents (and other people who don’t need more stuff)
I remember when I was little trying to figure out a gift for my nana at Christmas. My mother used to to tell me that my grandmother didn’t want more stuff, but rather something from our heart. A picture, a sleepover (where she let me cheat at go-fish and eat chocolate chips) or some help… Continue Reading
How To Talk About Your Wishes With Your Family
I encourage my clients to speak with their families about their estate plans and end of life wishes to make things easier on everyone during a crisis. I sometimes suggest that far flung families do this during get-togethers over the the holiday season. There are even services like Death Over Dinner that can help you… Continue Reading
I’m Retired, Now What?
Clients often come to me when they are nearing retirement, or shortly after, to update their estate plans. They find themselves with enormous amounts of paperwork from their former job about their various retirement benefits, have started getting mail from organizations who want their money or time and may find themselves dealing with confusing insurance… Continue Reading
Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) v. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
Massachusetts has a few forms that people need to be aware of that affect their health care and the treatment that they want. When to use the forms can be confusing. Below is a summary of each one and when you would want to consider filling it out. A health care proxy is a form… Continue Reading
“Grantor Deed and Property Profile” Scam
A colleague was telling me the other day about a situation she ran into. She received a call from a client asking her why she was getting a bill for $83.00 from some place in Washington, D.C. for a “grant deed and property profile.” Her client was upset that she was getting a bill, when… Continue Reading
Planning for Storms – the Actual and the Metaphorical.
I’ve talked before about how much of my work is helping people be prepared for things that might not happen, that they hope won’t happen or that they realize probably will happen but don’t want to think about. In my law practice I use legal strategies to help people prepare for the future. With a… Continue Reading
Slipping Down The Stairs. Or, Why I Do Yoga.
I slipped down the stairs the other day. I have 2 stairs after a landing that have no railing and I slipped down them in my stocking feet while hurrying to get somewhere. As one leg went in one direction and the other went in another, my arms did their best to grab something (and… Continue Reading