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January 2010
Information and News |
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The Law Practice of
Dennison Keller, LLC
8044 Montgomery Road, Suite 700
Cincinnati, OH 45236
513.792.2292
www.elderlawcincinnati.com
Specializing in Elder Law
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HHS Announces $27 Million from Recovery Act to Help Older Americans Fight Chronic Disease
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced the availability of $27 million to help older individuals with chronic conditions to improve their health and reduce their use of costly medical care. These funds are made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has provided up to $650 million to HHS for the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative launched earlier this fall to promote evidence-based prevention strategies in communities and states across the country.
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Tax Season Can Be a Financial Squeeze
Various Programs Help Older Ohioans File Taxes at No Cost
April 15, Tax Day, will be here before we know it. For many, it can be confusing and overwhelming to prepare a tax return. Tax laws can be complicated and are constantly changing. How much to you have to earn before you must pay taxes?
Do you have to pay taxes on your pension? What is the standard deduction for seniors? What, if any, taxes do you have to pay on your Social Security benefits? What do you have to do to receive the Credit for the Elderly or Disabled?
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Lack of Estate Tax in 2010: Now Cheaper to Die?
With Taxes Gone, Will Death Be At A Premium?
Well, 2010 has arrived -- and because Congress devoted so much effort toward health care reform, we may have ourselves some death panels after all.
While critics have dismissed Sarah Palin's "death panels" to dole out medical care as fiction, a tax loophole may in fact give the heirs of some wealthy people a financial incentive to make this new year their loved one's last.
In 2001, then-President George W. Bush signed a law designed to phase out the estate tax -- a tax on the assets a deceased individual leaves behind. The law reduced the amount wealthy families were taxed after death starting in 2001 -- leading to complete abolition of the tax in 2010, but at the same time it concerned some because of the financial implications of the date when someone died.
For example, a wealthy person who dies on January 1, 2011, and left her heirs $10 million would really be leaving them $5.05 million because of taxes. If they died a day earlier (assuming no changes were made in tax laws), the heirs could receive the full $10 million.
To read the entire article, taken from ABC News/Health January 1, 2010 just click here. |
Medicare and Discharge Planning:
Think Through Your Needs
Introduction
Discharge planning[1] is an important tool for reviewing and making arrangements for on-going healthcare needs across healthcare settings, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health, or hospice. When focusing on discharge planning, beneficiaries and their advocates should carefully read all documents that purport to explain rights to services, including discharge evaluations and discharge planning documents. They should also question treating physicians, nurses, social workers, home health and hospice care providers about necessary services as the beneficiary's condition improves or declines, and voice opinions and concerns about care; and participate fully in all care decisions. They should also be aware of appeal rights should problems arise.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is in the final stages of developing a checklist called "Planning for Your Discharge."[2] Focus groups have been meeting throughout the year to review and refine the document. When completed, the checklist will be offered as a tool to be used by beneficiaries and their families to work with their providers in preparation for a discharge from a health care setting. The checklist will be an important starting point for beneficiaries and their advocates in focusing on the specifics of discharge planning.
To see the "Planning for Your Discharge" checklist brochure, click here. |
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What's On Your Mind?
Topics for future editions
We would love to hear from you! Our goal is to share useful information and updates in elder law and related services. What would you like to see in the next issue of Elder Law NewsWire? Please email topics of interest to Elder Law NewsWire Topics We will use our reader's input as we choose articles for future issues.
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Dear Colleague,
We hope the New Year is off to a great start for you. At The Law Practice of Dennison Keller, one of our goals is to share useful information and updates in elder law and elder services. We would like to hear from you! Take a moment to offer your suggestions, questions, or helpful information by clicking here
The holidays have come and gone and it is time to think about new goals and how to reach them! If you are working with an elder who needs Life Care Planning to ensure quality of life and care, please share our contact information with them. We look forward to communicating with you about your elder law needs!
Dennison Keller, Attorney
Letitia Mundew, RN.C.
Mollie Snyder, MSW
VA Benefits Specialist
Lisa Titus, MEd
Elder Care Coordinator
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FREE
Education Programs!
The Law Practice of Dennison Keller, LLC is offering community education presentations in 2010.
Get your presentation scheduled at your facility or location today!
Current program available:
--The Changing Face of Elder Law
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Have you been to our website yet?.
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Who's Afraid of Technology?
Not Today's Seniors
The common stereotype is that older adults do not adopt, and are even afraid of, new technologies. Try telling that to Barbara St. Hilaire, of Mantua, Ohio. Better known by her nickname "Old Grandma Hardcore," St. Hilaire, 71, admits she plays video games about 10 hours a day. She has a frequently viewed blog in which she gives tips and hints about certain games, among other things. In December 2005, she was hired by MTV as their "senior" video game correspondent and in 2006 she won the Nintendo World Stores' "Coolest Grandparent of the Year" Brain Age contest.
Older adults generally have a positive attitude about adopting new technology as long as it meets their practical standards for reliability, usefulness, ease of use and practicality. They are willing to use any technology that they believe will enhance or improve their quality of life and help them stay independent and engaged. Since they have successfully lived this long without these devices, they may need to be convinced the devices will significantly improve their lives. They tend to focus on the basic functions of any device rather than the bells, whistles and other options that younger generations require. Know your target audience. Who are your most important clients or prospects, and why?
Article from Ohio Department of Aging Aging Issues recent edition. | |
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The Law Practice of Dennison Keller, LLC is located at 8044 Montgomery Road, Suite 700, Cincinnati, OH 45236.
Dennison Keller is an Elder Law Attorney in Cincinnati. Elder Law Firms, here and across the country, have traditionally focused their practices on Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning Guardianships and Probate. However, the Law Practice of Dennison Keller seeks to move beyond the transactions and build relationships, arriving at a holistic solution to legal and care needs through the Life Care Planning process. Elder Care Coordinators are on staff to advocate for the elder client's quality of life and care needs for the remainder of that client's lifetime. For more information, check out our WEBSITE or call us at 513.792.2292.
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