When an incapacitated person cannot make personal or financial decisions, state courts may appoint a guardian to assist the individual with determining where to live, what kind of care to receive, or how to manage finances. In some cases, guardians may wish to move...

No one wants to think about our death or the death of a loved one. The reality is that death is inevitable, so preparing for end-of-life decisions is essential. Over the past few years, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all been reminded about life’s...

Choosing the correct home care provider for your aging parents is a huge responsibility. This person will be looking after the needs of those who taught you to walk, talk, and care for yourself. To ensure your parents are well cared for in their golden years, consider...

It depends. Do any of them live on the farm? The Medicaid rules with respect to real estate are very different depending on whether it’s a home or an investment property, and the rules vary by state. There are in fact special rules for transfers of homes between...

No. You have to be legally competent to execute a will. Even a guardian or conservator cannot create a will. However, they can create a trust that can substitute for a will. To do so, someone will have to be appointed and then seek court approval for the new estate...

Many use the terms “skilled nursing facility” and “nursing home” interchangeably. However, they are separate care facilities. Although skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes sound similar, they have fundamental differences, including the level of medical care...

As our parents get older, we must make tough decisions regarding their health care. It can be hard to know when to bring in professional support in the form of home care. Consider the following as you decide whether your aging parents need home care. What Is Home...

Many seniors do not necessarily need the constant care of a nursing home but could benefit from participating in a senior day care program one or more days per week. Senior day care usually refers to the daytime supervision of individuals in a group setting in a...

Spousal impoverishment is a concern for older couples when one spouse needs long-term care and applies for Medicaid. If one spouse requires care in a skilled nursing facility and the other remains at home, the spouse at home might face significant financial hardships....

Long-term care insurance helps you prepare for financial costs associated with aging, such as nursing home care, assisted living, or in-home care. Yet long-term care insurance policies vary widely in terms of the amount of coverage and how long the protection lasts....

The term “dementia” is thrown around a lot in discussions of elderly individuals, but what exactly does it mean? Dementia is a general term for memory loss that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. This general term encompasses many different diseases, of...

Medicaid is a federal program administered on a state-by-state basis. There are several types of Medicaid — including Community Medicaid. Community Medicaid covers care and medical services that enable a recipient to remain in their home or community as long as...

The phrase “life estate” often comes up in discussions of estate and Medicaid planning, but what exactly does it mean? A life estate is a form of joint ownership that allows one person to remain in a house until his or her death, when it passes to the other owner....

No, but depending on your state’s guardianship laws, it may save time. Whenever someone seeks guardianship, they must give notice to all the next of kin. Typically, part of the process includes a period of time during which the next of kin can object to the...