Some of the proposed improvements to seniors’ quality-of-life include: more time to cross the street; organized grocery store trips; offering more innovative programs at senior centers; and the creation of aging-improvement districts. The goal of aging-improvement districts is to form a public-private partnership that will encourage business owners to adopt more elderly-friendly practices, such as providing public restrooms, extra benches, and more lighting for seniors’ benefit.

City officials have also begun to hold town hall meetings and focus groups to hear from seniors directly as to how the city can better accommodate its elderly residents.

These potential improvements to services should permit more seniors to age in place.  These developments make it even more important to consider advance directives and planning for the astronomical costs of long-term care.  Elder law attorneys at Lamson & Cutner, P.C., are committed to improving seniors’ quality-of-life and are dedicated to supporting the elderly.  Call 1 (866) 524-1818 to speak with an Elder Law attorney at Lamson & Cutner, P.C., so you can best prepare for your future.

This preference, however, must be squared with the practical issues and problems of staying at home as old age and declining health start to interfere with activities of daily living.  For example, climbing stairs may become burdensome or wheelchair access may have to be considered.

Seniors who want to stay where they are and remain a vital part of their communities need to start looking into organizations and community groups that will provide support of all kinds, such as transportation assistance and meal delivery programs.  It may also be the right time to consult an Elder Law Attorney, to find out how to build a financial fortress around your assets and income, so that your lifestyle and dignity will not be destroyed or compromised by the ruinous costs of long-term care.

The new guidelines would allow special tests that use brain scans, biomarkers and other new technologies to clinically diagnose the disease even before any symptoms appear. These tests would replace the way Alzheimer’s is currently diagnosed, which is based solely on the detection of symptoms.

Experts are seeking to create three different stages of Alzheimer’s disease: pre-clinical; mild cognitive impairment; and dementia. These distinctions are being viewed as a major advancement in diagnosis because detecting the disease in its early stages will allow doctors to treat and monitor their patients as the disease develops.

The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is expected to double, or even triple, under these new diagnostic guidelines; and some are concerned that efforts to diagnose the disease too early may lead to mistaken diagnoses. Despite such concerns, most Alzheimer’s experts agree that the guidelines are a great leap forward in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and many are optimistic that the new guidelines will likely move researchers closer to the discovering the cause of the disease. The guidelines are expected to be adopted this coming Fall.

Given these new developments, the need for long-term care planning will become even more important. In order to educate yourself on planning techniques designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses, call 1 (866) 524-1818, today to speak with an Elder Law attorney at Lamson & Cutner, P.C. and request our latest publication The Top Ten Elder Law Strategies for Alzheimer’s Patients and Their Families: Ten Absolutely Essential Principles for Preserving Quality-of-Life When Dealing with a Medical Diagnosis of Dementia. The attorneys at Lamson & Cutner, P.C., have significant experience planning for the long-term care needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and are available to provide their services immediately.

In several recent cases, they have charged criminal defendants with “hate crimes” based on these defendants having singled out elderly victims “because of a belief or perception regarding…[their] age…” Of course, hate crime prosecutions are typically brought in cases involving persons victimized because of race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. However, the Queens prosecutors’ novel approach is already resulting in guilty pleas and enhanced sentences.

This new legal theory has not yet been tested in the appellate courts, and prosecutors around the state and elsewhere will no doubt be watching closely before deciding if this new weapon should be put to broader use.

Of course, the first line of defense against thefts and financial crimes against the elderly is to make sure that they are properly cared for and looked after. Friends and family should be alert to the possibility that their loved ones could become crime victims when their health and mental capacity begins to decline. This may be the right time to consult an Elder Law Attorney about planning for long-term care.

This phenomenon is increasing rapidly, and authorities around the country are taking notice.  In many states, local law enforcement agencies have instated training sessions to help find wanderers.   Other groups are using new technologies, including tracking wristbands.

Caring for an individual with dementia can be a difficult task, especially if your loved one is prone to wandering.  If you or someone you know has Alzheimer’s or dementia and needs assistance with daily activities, there is help available, often at little or no personal expense.  Call an Elder Law attorney today to discuss options for individuals living with dementia.

The federal government is increasing pressure on private insurers that sell Medicare Advantage plans by freezing payment rates to these insurers in 2011 and reducing them starting in 2012.  Meanwhile, medical costs are increasing by at least 6% per year, and these private insurers are being warned not to increase premiums or co-pays to seniors.  Inevitably, something has to give, and it’s likely to be a reduction in the scope and quality of services.

On the Medicaid front, many states are facing larger-than-expected budget deficits because assumed federal assistance for Medicaid is apparently not going to be awarded by Congress.  New York may be forced to do without $1.1 billion in federal funds that had been penciled into the state budget.

Due to federal mandates regarding health care, the funding shortfalls will result in a reduction of other services, including education, the arts, and even police and fire. Layoffs of government workers are expected.  Medicaid is likely to feel the pinch, as well.

As Elder Law attorneys, we are starting to see a change in attitude at some of the Medicaid offices in local counties, even though the governing laws and rules have not changed.  Rather than being compassionate and helpful, many Medicaid workers, compelled by budgetary pressures, are looking for ways to delay or deny applications for medical assistance or to reduce the scope of services.  Medicaid is also becoming more aggressive about enforcing spousal obligations of support, pursuing liens against real property, and seeking recovery from the estates of Medicaid recipients.

In these times, we believe that it is all the more important for seniors, the disabled, and their families to be aware of their rights to government benefits for medical and long-term care, which can be ruinous if paid from your own funds.  For many, a consultation with an Elder Law attorney will be the best couple of hours you’ve spent in a long time.

When executing a Health Care Proxy, it is important to appoint an agent who will advocate on your behalf and carry out your health-care wishes.  Make sure this person will be able to make the decisions that you would have made had you been able to, and not substitute his or her own judgment.

It is important to discuss your preferences regarding your health-care and medical treatment with your agent.  Most importantly, be sure to discuss your desires regarding life-sustaining treatment, including artificial nutrition and hydration.  Your Health Care Proxy must specify that your agent knows your wishes in order to make such decisions on your behalf.

Executing a Health Care Proxy offers you control over a situation in which you would otherwise be powerless.  Discussing your wishes regarding end-of-life care with your agent will give your agent direction during a difficult time and the confidence of knowing that your wishes will be carried out.  Do not delay in executing this important document and discussing your wishes with your agent.

The Power of Attorney gives an agent (also known as attorney-in-fact) the authority to make financial decisions and manage property on behalf of a principal.  You can designate more than one agent, and you can determine whether or not you would prefer them to act together, or have to ability to act separately.  You can also designate a successor agent, so that there is someone who can fill in when your agent is unable or unwilling to act.

A Power of Attorney can be limited and only grant the agent authority over specific acts, or it can be a broad grant of a wide range of powers.  A Power of Attorney that is durable allows the document to continue in full force once the principal loses mental capacity.  It is essential that you execute a Durable Power of Attorney, so that your attorney-in-fact will not be left powerless if you have lost mental capacity.

Your attorney-in-fact can do many things, including pay your bills, manage your investments, sign financial documents on your behalf, and even transfer your money, if given the authority to do so.  If you grant broad powers, your agent will be able to do anything that you can do with regards to your assets or property.

Because a Power of Attorney can give an individual complete control over all of your property, it is crucial that you choose a person who is right for the job.  When choosing your agent, make sure he or she is a trusted individual who is responsible, dependable, and ethical.  He or she does not have to be a lawyer or a financial expert, but should be someone who is competent to handle financial matters.  It is important that you communicate to your agent how you wish your assets to be managed should you be unable to do so yourself.  Also, make sure you fully disclose all of the property you own, and which financial institutions you hold accounts with, so that your agent has full knowledge of the extent of your assets.  It is also imperative that the attorney-in-fact knows where the original signed power of attorney is being kept, since financial institutions often require an original document.

And remember: if you find that you are unhappy with the way your attorney-in-fact is handling your affairs, or change your mind for any reason, you can always revoke the Power of Attorney.

The new rules will establish that same-sex partners must receive visiting privileges that are equal to those of immediate family members.  The rules will apply to any hospital that participates in the Medicaid or Medicare programs.

Before the formulation of these rules, gays and lesbians, as well as children of gay and lesbian couples, were routinely denied the basic right to visit their partner’s bedside at hospitals throughout the country.  Even partners who were the designated agent in a Health Care Proxy were routinely denied access to their loved ones.

These new rules protect the rights of same-sex couples, and also expand the rights of others whose closest companions are not immediate relatives.