Easing the Pain of a Parent's Alzheimer's Diagnosis

As Elder Law Attorneys, we meet with clients on a daily basis who are on an emotional roller coaster. Life was rolling merrily along for them, then all of a sudden they received some bad news - Mom or Dad is in the hospital. After a few days, the news is worse - The Diagnosis is Alzheimer's AND Mom or Dad can't go back home - they are having to go to a nursing home. AND the kids have to select a nursing home for Mom or Dad to go to within 24 hours AND the nursing home costs $5,000 per month.

If your other parent is alive and living at home, no doubt all of this has hit them like a freight train. Will they still be able to live at home ALONE without assistance, or will they need assistance? If they do need assistance, what type will they need?

If Mom or Dad is single, some of the questions are: What do we do with the home? Will he get to return home? Should we sell the home? Where are his bank accounts? Are all bills paid? How will we pay for all of this?

We realize that when an adult child walks into our office, they are reeling from all of the above and more. This is where we try to slow down the process, take you by the hand and help!

Medicaid is the program that will pay for your parent's long term care - yes we have to get some information from you to start this process, but after that we will take the ball and run, doing everything necessary to get your parent qualified for Medicaid. This solves the financial part of the problem.

Secondly, our life care planners will meet with you and do everything possible to make sure that your parent gets the best possible care, in the least restrictive environment, without going broke.

The expense of doing all of this is not paid by you, the child, but out of your parent's spend-down - that is out of the money that they would otherwise have had to paid to the nursing home before they received Medicaid assistance.

The BEST PART is that by taking action: (1) We help your parent qualify for Medicaid sooner; (2) We help your parents preserve additional assets; (3) Our Life Care Planners work hard to make sure that your parent is receiving appropriate care.

If you are reading this, it is likely that something unexpectedly bad has happened to your parent. We can't fix that - but give us a call and we'll help to ease the pain.

Assisted Living Facility Keeps Residents Hoppin'

Last night I was invited to speak at an Alzheimer's support group at a fairly new and very nice assisted living facility in Malvern. I arrived a little early - just in time to hear the tail end of a report of the Activities Director of the facility. The range of activities available to residents astounded me. I think that I only expected to hear about Friday bingo and afternoon card games. Instead, the Activities Director spoke of (1) Opening the place up for Halloween and told how many kids were there last year and how the residents enjoyed it tremendously; (2) A 50's Day, complete with malt shop, soda jerks, sock hop and 50's outfits; (3) Art classes and crafts of different kinds; (4) Beauty pageant; (5) Senior Olympics; (6) Dunkin' Booth; (7) Gospel Singing and on and on...

You would have to try very hard to be bored in this place! If the residents participate in 1/2 of the available activities, they would have no trouble sleeping. Several years ago, the only option for seniors was either stay at home or go to a skilled care nursing home. Today, there are several good options - one of which is an assisted living facility. If you are a Senior or have a Senior parent who is needing help, check out the assisted living facilities in your area. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised.

FREE Alzheimer's Planning Workshop in Malvern

The Meeting in Malvern at
The Crossing in Malvern

Join us for a FREE 1-Hour Alzheimer's planning workshop next Tuesday night (September 8th) at the Crossing at Malvern. Workshop time will be from 6:30 - 7:30. We'll be discussing relevent legal issues that you need to know including Medicaid Qualification, Powers of Attorney, Estate Planning issues and many more. To reserve your spot, just call our office at
(501) 843-9014 to reserve your seat(s). We look forward to seeing you there.

Doug Jones
http://www.arkelderlaw.com/


The Crossing at Malvern
720 N. Walco Road, Malvern
http://www.thecrossingatmalvern.com/