Is the State Cheating Seniors and People with Disabilities?

We are noticing a disturbing trend with some of the local county Department of Services (DSS) offices when it comes to the NYSARC, Inc. Community Trust II (Pooled Income Trust) and Net Available Monthly Income ("NAMI") payments.

Questions for Aging Parents

A recent Real Simple magazine article examines how adult children and their parents can have an open discussion about their concerns, and together face the challenges of aging.  This discussion is often not an easy one to have; a 2001 AARP study revealed that three-quarters of adult children think about their parents' ability to live independently, but one-third of the children surveyed have avoided discussing the topic with their parents.  The results for parents are similar; a little over two-thirds said they think about their ability to live independently, but more than one-third said they do not discuss the subject with their children.  The article provided several conversation-starting questions that adult children can ask their parents.

Planning Tip of the Day

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

I love this mantra -- Today, life comes with many challenges: health care, finances and family matters. Sometimes, you can't control what happens.

Part D Recipients Must Repay Mistaken Refunds - Second Court Ruling

A federal appeals court has again ruled that 230,000 Medicare Part D beneficiaries who were erroneously mailed a premium refund do not have the right to apply for a waiver excusing them from repaying the money. Action Alliance of Senior Citizens v. Sebelius (D.C. Cir., No. 09-5191, June 18, 2010).

Another Budget Bill Behind Us

A very strong effort was made this year by the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Elder Law Section to combat proposed cuts that would adversely affect our seniors and those with disabilities. The following are two provisions that were in the original proposed Budget Bill.

Surrogate Decision Making Comes To New York

Inside The Medicaid Look Back Period

When faced with the possibility of penalizing an ill father for paying for the joyous wedding of his daughter, HRA approved the Medicaid application. Recently a wife sought our advice in obtaining Medicaid nursing home care for her ailing husband.

Ten Million Baby Boomers Will Have Alzheimer's

A new report just released by the Alzheimer's Association suggests that ten million baby boomers will have Alzheimer's - that is one in every eight.

Family Comes First 2010 Fall Season

The moment has arrived.....

The Fall 2010 Season of Family Comes First™ Exclusively on Telecare TV

Cablevision, Channel 29 and 137 / Verizon FiOS TV, Channel 296