Articles

My Parents Need Home Care Assistance (A Primer)

SCV Bar Association

Most of our elderly population prefer to receive any care they need within the confines of their home. Knowing what type of care is needed, who will render the care and how to find caregivers can improve the results of arranging for this type of care. more

What Every Spouse Should Know About Entering a Nursing Facility

SCV Bar Association

Because long-term care in a California nursing facility can cost $50,000.00 a year or more, many people who enter a nursing facility eventually spend their available resources down to the level that qualifies them for Medi-Cal. Married couples used to face an additional problem. more

How to Care for Your Aging Parent

SCV Bar Association

Virginia Morris is an award winning journalist who reports on health care and medicine. In 1996 she published "How to Care for Aging Parents", published by Workman Publishing Company, Inc. I have found this to be the type of book I have used as a prize at community events I have been invited to speak at because it is such a good source of information. more

"Parentgiving" Website Offers Assistance to Adult Children Caring for Elderly Parents

SCV Magazine

Parentgiving.com is a new website created to help time-starved caregivers of aging parents. Its "Learning with Parentgiving" section provides checklists at your fingertips for securing caregivers, preventing falls, steps to take if a parent is denied Medicare coverage, legal documents you may need and information needed in emergencies. more

Trouble with Driving and Update on the Sunset of Estate Taxes

SCV Magazine

The last vestige of independence for many elders is the loss of their ability to drive. The efforts to take the automobile away to protect the elder and other drivers on the road can be met with tremendous resistance. more

How to Revoke a Power of Attorney

SCV Magazine

If for any reason you become unhappy with the person you’ve appointed to make decisions for you under a durable power of attorney; you can revoke the power of attorney at any time. But you must take a few steps to ensure that the document is properly revoked. more

Communication Is Key in Locating Estate Documents and Passwords

SCV Magazine

Where have you placed your estate planning documents? Many people tell me they keep these documents in their dresser drawer, "strong box," or in a file cabinet. In California, if your original will cannot be found, it is "presumed revoked." This means any or all of the directives in your will could be ignored and the persons to whom you wanted to distribute your estate could be disregarded. more

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Helping the Mentally Ill

SCV Magazine

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is one of the largest non-profit organizations in the United States, with self help, support, and advocacy groups in every state, including Puerto Rico. more

Advance Care Planning for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

SCV Magazine

All individuals should have a Power of Attorney for Health Care. Recently, the California Coalition for Compassionate Care has participated in the creation of Thinking Ahead: My Life at the End, which is a workbook and DVD designed specifically for people and by people with developmental disabilities. more

Tools for Caregivers

The Signal, April 11, 2009

The Family Caregiver Alliance has compiled a list of practical tools and resources designed to address the needs of informal caregivers and the professionals supporting them. While a plethora of online information exists, specific tools and resources had not been gathered into one collection where professionals and caregivers alike could quickly and easily access them - until now. more

Keeping Your Estate Plan Current

The Signal, Feb. 12, 2009

While many people periodically update their wills or other estate plans, they don't remember to update the designation of who will receive distributions from their retirement plans, such as an IRA or 401(k) fund. You should also review any and all life insurance beneficiary designations. more

Divide Family's Possessions Before Death

The Signal, Oct. 2, 2008

Who should have grandma's dining room table or diamond ring? How should family photos be distributed? Dividing up heirlooms can be a touchy subject. If you leave the decision until after you die, your children may end up fighting over possessions. more

Plan Ahead and Plan Your Funeral Now

The Signal, Nov. 13, 2008

Disputes among family members can arise when funeral arrangements are made after the death of a relative. Everyone may be trying to do the right thing, but disagreements and anger can continue long after the funeral. more

How to Make It Less Likely That Anyone Will Contest Your Will

The Signal, July 4, 2008

Emotions can run high at the death of a family member. If a family member is unhappy with the amount received (or didn't receive) under a will, he or she may contest the will. Will contests can drag out for years, keeping all the heirs from getting what they are entitled to. more

New Developments in Capital Gain, Property Taxes and Other Benefits

The Signal, June 13, 2008

Many widows and widowers will have more time to sell the family home and still qualify for the maximum amount of gain that may be excluded under federal income tax. A recently enacted law will offer relief. more

Planning for Your Pet's Welfare Upon Death or Disability

The Signal, April 4, 2008

What happens to your pet if you become incapacitated or die? We have seen many beloved pets abandoned or taken to the animal shelter because an owner has failed to include provisions for the care of their animals in their estate planning documents. more

When to 'Hire' Your Children to Care for You

The Signal, March 14, 2008

As people get older, they often hire individuals or companies to perform services for them, such as housekeeping, cooking, driving, paying bills and personal care. What's new is that a lot of seniors are hiring their own children. more