Legal Tips on Elder Law

Posted by on Nov 29, 2011 in Related Eldercare Articles | 0 comments

One of the inevitable issues facing senior citizens is how to protect their possessions and make sound legal decisions as they navigate through planning the later stages of life.   Caregivers also have to be well informed as to legal issues when they are helping parents, grandparents or other loved ones plan for long term care or make decisions about simple estate planning.  The following are some helpful legal tips when facing a situation dealing with elder law.

Choosing a Nursing Home or Care Facility

  • Review admissions agreements carefully.  Beware of clauses in which you personally guarantee payment for a loved one’s care.
  • Do not sign any agreement that contains a waiver in which you agree to submit to arbitration and waive your right to a jury trial in the event that you or a loved one are injured while in the facility’s care.
  • Go to the facility and tour the premises.  Do not make any decision sight unseen.
  • Take any admissions agreement to an attorney and have him/her review it prior to placing a loved one in the facility. When in doubt, it never hurts to have a second pair of eyes review any document.
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Elder Care & Elder Rage: Know The Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s!

Posted by on Oct 14, 2011 in Related Eldercare Articles | 0 comments

By Jacqueline Marcell, Author of ‘Elder Rage’ www.ElderRage.com

For eleven years I pleaded with my stubborn elderly father to allow a caregiver to help him with my ailing mother, but after 55 years of loving each other he adamantly insisted on taking care of her himself. Every caregiver I hired to help him soon called in exasperation, “Jacqueline, I just can’t work with your father–his temper is impossible to handle. I don’t think he’ll accept help until he’s on his knees himself.”

My father had always been 90% great, but boy-oh-boy that temper was a doozy. He’d never turned it on me before, but then again I’d never gone against his wishes either. When my mother nearly died from an infection caused by his inability to continue to care for her, I flew from southern California to San Francisco to try to save her life–having no idea that in the process it would nearly cost me my own.

EARLY SIGNS OF DEMENTIA?
I spent three months in the hospital nursing my 82-pound mother back to relative health, while my father went from being my loving dad one minute to calling me nasty names and throwing me out of the house the next. I walked on egg shells trying not to upset him, even running the washing machine could cause a tizzy, and there was no way to reason with him. It was so heart wrenching to have my once-adoring father turn against me.

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Widow Celebrates Husband’s Life with Beautiful Memories

Posted by on Aug 2, 2011 in Hospice, Related Eldercare Articles | 0 comments

by Greg Jena, Manager, Marketing & Public Relations
Family Hospice and Palliative Care

Jim was a lung cancer patient whose dying wish was to renew wedding vows with his dear wife, Jerri. With Jerri at his bedside, sons Bill and Dave in attendance and their clergyman officiating, Jim’s wish came true. He wore a boutonniere. Jerri held a beautiful bouquet. There was even wedding cake and the traditional opportunity for the groom to kiss his bride. Family Hospice Quality of Life Program Coordinator Paula Church was on hand to take pictures.

Jim, Jerri and their family viewed the photos just before Jim’s death. They act as a lasting memory of an important family event that will forever be cherished. And now, Jerri and Paula Church have taken the next step in honoring Jim’s life by creating a video that celebrates both of their wedding ceremonies – including the very photos taken at the vow renewal ceremony.

Jerri’s wish was that this video be played as a memorial tribute at Jim’s funeral. The song that accompanies the video was chosen by Jim himself.

“Family Hospice – Wedding Day” is online because it is important to Jerri to get the word out not only about her love for her husband but also for her appreciation and love of Family Hospice and the staff that cared for her husband, and supported her and her family.

The experience continues to impact Jerri and her family in bereavement, as an ongoing lifeline to the memories they all share.

The video, along with Jerri’s personal Family Hospice experience, has created a great bond. Jerri found comfort in bereavement visits and sharing her memories of her life with Jim. She has come full circle, now sewing quilts to give to others living with loss. Jerri donates the quilts to families at The Center for Compassionate Care – the same place she and Jim renewed their vows.

Watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/user/FamilyHospice#p/u/4/gQE6q07EWQw

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