Medicare 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…
DetailsOnce a child reaches age eighteen, they are an adult, and as an adult they make their own decisions. If a child has an accident, who can talk to the doctor and who can pay their bills? The answer is “no one”. A parent has no right to make a decision for an adult child.…
DetailsWho will notice if you fall down and can’t get up? If you live alone, who will come to your assistance? My father-in-law, a stubborn man, lived alone. He resisted my efforts to check on him. He refused daily calls, and if I called, he would not answer the phone. If I stopped by his…
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