What legislative changes can you expect in the New Year from Sacramento? I met with a woman the other day who is trying to get VA benefits and In Home Supportive Services for her husband. At 65, she is 30 years her husband's junior. He is getting very frail, is incontinent and might need $3000-$4000 in care a month. Other than the above listed problems, he is relatively healthy. They live in a rent controlled apartment and have $200,000 in assets. I told her that everything was going to be OK.She thought that I was being condescending and yelled at me! Let me assure you that I was being positive. I truly believe that everything will be OK for her. It might not be OK in a few days or even a few weeks, but things will get sorted out especially since she filled out the application wrong and I made sure that was corrected. Many of my clients do not understand that it can take months to get public benefits. Not only does it take planning, it takes cooperation and competence from administrative bodies. What can we expect in the New Year? First, we can expect seniors, people with disabilities, and the people who provide the in-home care to see a 20 percent across-the-board cut to In-Home Supportive Services. IHSS (In Home Supportive Services) is an essential, cost-effective program that allows seniors and people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes. It prevents unnecessary institutionalization, allows families to stay together, and helps provide dignity for consumers of the program by letting them remain in their own communities. Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring the $100 million reduction in In-Home Supportive Services beginning Jan. 1 if state revenues do not meet projections. A judge can overturn this and there are public policy groups seeking a permanent injunction. The in home care industry is also facing a crises that will certainly effect those who can now afford a private agency to pay for their care. The White House is now considering a rule proposed by the Department of Labor that could change labor law for the home care industry. If approved by the Office of Management and Budget, the rule is expected to remove a controversial 36-year-old exemption for home care aides from the Fair Labor Standards Act, likely affording them the right to overtime pay. Home care aides were excluded from fair labor protections in 1975, when Congress passed an amendment granting such rights to most domestic workers who cook, clean, and perform other household duties. Health aides were carved out of the amendment in the so-called "companionship exemption," which exempted casual workers like babysitters or people who provide "companionship" to the elderly in their homes. If this is passes, many companies will either go out of business or will have to raise their rates which are already at $19-27.00 an hour. Then, the poor and the middle class will be without assistance. What should you do? Think seriously about giving yourself or your adult children the gift of LTC insurance. I have a policy for my husband and myself because I know the ramifications of not having the funds in place to care for someone when they need it. I can refer you to my agent if you are interested. I wish my dad had it (he is 82 years old) as my husband and I will be footing the bill for his care when the time comes. Whatever your situation, I wish you the best of health and hope that whatever situation you may find yourself in this holiday season, you take a moment to breath and smile. Those that you love and who love you are counting on you to be happy or to find a moment of happiness in your day. With love and no condescension, Susan
My Watchdog A Regular Feature of Susan's Elder Care Newletter Baby Boomer Investment Scams
Baby Boomer Investment Scams on the Rise
The number of investment-related criminal complaints doubles in one year
Many baby boomers are moving further out on the risk curve in a desperate attempt to capture returns before retirement. That, say regulators, is exposing them to more investment scams. The Wall Street Journal reports that securities regulators and prosecutors are "battling what they say is a nationwide surge in investment fraud against baby boomers." The reason, the paper says, is that investors are "overcompensating" for losses recently suffered, and the number of criminal complaints filed this year is expected to be a record. The problem is "rampant" throughout the country, the paper quotes Matt Kitzi, Missouri's securities commissioner and chairman of the association's enforcement committee, as saying. There are about 77 million baby boomers in the United States, or 25% of the nation's population, and the oldest began turning 65 this year, the Journal notes. Many of their retirement portfolios "were ravaged by the financial crisis, erasing billions of dollars in assets." My Professional Services People are often surprised  to learn about the professional services I provide so here is some clarification. As an Elder Law Attorney, I specialize in: Estate planning, which includes Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits, Medi-Cal Planning and Asset Protection As a Geriatric Care Manager, I help families with a broad range of services, including finding the right living environment, determining what public benefits can be obtained, and many other issues. Feel free to call me if you have any questions.(310) 406-0608 Leeza Gibbons calls Susan, the "Rock Star of Elder Care" as
Team Susan B Geffen raises almost 
$1,000 for the Walk to End Alzheimer'sCircle of Care Leeza's Place has been a big supporter of Susan's "Raising UP Your Parents" symposiums.
Thank you Leeza, Stefanine Elkins and Yael Wyte for all of your support, and a big THANK YOU to our team sponsors! We couldn't have done it without you!
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