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YOUR LEGAL UPDATE
MAY 2014
NATIONAL ELDER LAW MONTH  

 

 

 CHOOSING AN ELDER LAW ATTORNEY

 

The process of finding and choosing an elder law attorney  begins by identifying that you need  an elder law attorney. So, the question is: Why would you ever need an elder law attorney?

 

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

  • Do you or a loved one have questions about paying for long-term care?
  • Do you need information on Medicaid planning?
  • Are your wills and powers of attorney up to date and in compliance with current law?
  • Do you need advice on what kind of care your loved one needs and what their rights are?
  • Are you looking to preserve assets for the duration of your illness?
  • Are you concerned about assets being left for a spouse's care in the future?
  • Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with dementia, Parkinson's Disease, ALS or any other chronic medical condition which will, most likely, require long-term care?
  • Do you need to pursue guardianship on behalf of a loved one?
  • Do you or a loved one have a disability that you need to, legally, plan for?

 elder law foundation

    NAELA

Janna Dutton is on the Board of Directors and Helen Mesoloras is the Vice President of the Illinois Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and both serve on the Legislative Committee.

 Read about the 4 C's of Elder Law 

  

The Attorneys at Dutton & Casey

Helen Mesoloras, Janna Dutton,

Kathryn Casey, Hanny Pei-Rodriguez

 

Appointments Are Available In:

Arlington Heights, Chicago, Skokie, and Westchester

THE RISING COST OF LONG-TERM CARE

The median cost of a private nursing home room in the United  States has increased 4.4 percent, according to  the 2014 edition of a Cost of Care survey that the insurer Genworth conducts each year.  Genworth reports that the median cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home is up 2.6 percent from 2013.

 
The price rise was more modest for assisted living facilities, where the median rate went up 1.5 percent.  The national median rate for the services of a home health aide went up 1.6 percent since 2013, and the cost of adult day care, which provides support services in a protective setting during part of the day, remained stable. 
 
The 2014 survey was based on responses from more than 14,800 nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult day health facilities and home care providers. The survey was conducted by phone during January and February of 2014.
 
For more on Genworth's 2014 Cost of Care Survey, including costs,  click here. 

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The Attorneys at Dutton & Casey concentrate in estate planning, probate, and elder law...including Long-Term Care Planning.

 

learn more about how we can help you or someone you care about.

   GERIATRIC CARE MANAGERS -

A RESOURCE YOU SHOULD KNOW

 Professional geriatric care management is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges. Working with families, geriatric care manager expertise provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers.

 

Erin Vogt, our Client Care Coordinator, is a certified care manager.

 

Learn more about Erin's role.

 

Learn more about the value of Geriatric Care Managers, the importance of hiring a certified care manager, questions to ask, etc.

   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

 

INPATIENT OR OBSERVATION STATUS

IN THE HOSPITAL

MAKE SURE YOU KNOW YOUR STATUS

Medicare beneficiary's inpatient or outpatient status in a  hospital affects the way that Medicare bills the beneficiary, as well as whether the patient qualifies for Skilled Nursing Facility care following the hospital stay, so it is vital for a beneficiary to understand their rights.

 

Information is available from the Center for Medicare Advocacy that describes the issue surrounding observation status and provides steps that patients can take to try and resolve the issue.

 

view the packet

 

Note: In Illinois, hospitals are not required to tell a patient if they are being put under observation status or being admitted to the hospital, so it is important for the patient to ask.

 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid wrote a facts about the difference between inpatient and outpatient status:

 

view the fact sheet

 

Learn what the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is doing to advocate for clients.

 

Resource:

Make Medicare Work Coalition 

learn more about the Coalition

  EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

join us for event 

For both community members and professionals, we have many programs scheduled. 

 

Including:  

  • Navigating Legal Issues for Family Caregivers -  May 31 in Oak Lawn
  •  Taking Control of Your Future - June 4 in Melrose Park
  • Understanding the Surrogate Decision Makers - June 17 in Oak Park
  •  Elder Law and Ethics, 2014 - September 10 in Evanston

learn more    

SOCIAL MEDIA

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Please ' 'like us," "connect to us," and "follow-us" to receive updates on topics dealing with estate planning, probate, elder law, our programs for the community and professionals, and much more.

Serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties in Illinois.
Office Hours in Arlington Heights, Chicago,
Skokie, and Westchester, Illinois.