The U.S. Government just passed a regulation to prevent nursing homes from forcing claims of elder abuse, sexual harassment and even wrongful death into the private system of justice known as arbitration.[1] This September a rule was issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, barring nursing homes that receive federal funds to require…
DetailsAdministering an Estate? Here are some tips on how to avoid 5 big disasters[1] If you are appointed to administer an estate after the death of a family member or a friend, do you regard that as an “honor?” Of course every estate has legal and paperwork details. Family issues can be more worrisome. And…
DetailsMedicare coverage is still being denied for “failure to improve” and that’s against the law.[1] In the year 2000, my Cousin Kathie at age 93 had pneumonia, ended up in the hospital for 4 days and then discharged back to her nursing home facility. She had dementia. There was no way Kathie could follow instructions…
DetailsThe Idaho Legislature passed a new law to allow certain individuals, called “fiduciaries”, access to the “digital assets” of a person. The law allows the digital asset account holder to specify whether such assets should be preserved beyond death, distributed to heirs or destroyed. “Digital assets” include facebook, e-mails and lots of other electronic files…
DetailsUp front, I confess, I’m a dog lady. I have had dogs my entire life. They are a joy to me. How do dogs relate to aging and estate planning? Studies show there are health benefits resulting from willingness and an ability to care for dogs. These benefits include: Fewer doctor visits. Less depression, less…
DetailsWere you “admitted” to the hospital or just there for “observation”? Why does it matter? Aunt Betty, age 91, fell in her driveway and broke her leg and three ribs. She was in the hospital for 5 days before being discharged to a rehabilitative facility. The hospital said she was there for “observation” and not…
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