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We understand how difficult it is to cope with the death of a loved one while trying to figure out probate and trust and estate administration. We have professional services available to help ease your burden. You can relax knowing that the job is being done right by people who care. We are here to help you both during the planning process, and when a loved one passes.

A Wandering Mind and No Control

As many as 5.3 million Americans have it and it is the seventh leading cause of death. You may think it’s an “older” person’s disease; however there are 250,000 Americans who have it - under age 65. And thanks to Scott Kirshbaum’s documentary, we can get a first-hand account of the toll a wandering mind takes on the person without control.

We’ve heard the countless, heart-wrenching stories about the effects Alzheimer’s has on family members, friends and caregivers, but we've never seen the actual disease be the only “star” of the story, until now.

Scott Kirshbaum’s documentary You’re Looking at Me Like I Live Here and I Don’t is currently airing on PBS’ Independent Lens http://yourelookingatme.com/ program and it is a simple and bold introspection into one woman’s battle with this disease.

This film zeros in on the daily routine of one woman, Lee Gorewitz, who lives in a residential care center in Danville, California. According to Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times, “Kirschbaum catches glimmers of self-awareness in Ms. Gorewitz, indications that she recognizes her diminished capacity and knows there’s nothing to be done about it.”

On my television show, Family Comes First, we met the Henley Family where we focused on “Alzheimer’s Impact on Family.” Mike Henley was diagnosed with Early Onset Familial Alzheimer’s at age 36 and passed away at the age of 46 this past February. He bravely fought this disease but clearly, much more needs to be done.

Having to take care of a family member who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can be a heartbreaking proposition. But there are many who refuse to give up and decide to take care of their loved one at home. We can find hope and strength from family and resources that are available in our community.

We must do our best to combat this horrible disease. As founding chair of the legal advisory committee of the Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter (http://www.alz.org/longisland/) , we are available to help families take care of a loved one who has Alzheimer’s.

Published in VJRussoLaw Blog

Elder Abuse - Don't Be a Victim, Be Victorious: Warning Signs & Resources

When one thinks of abuse, you envision one person physically hurting another, like we hear all too often in domestic violence situations. Unfortunately, abuse comes in many forms: physical, financial, medical and emotional and all too often, the signs of abuse are overlooked or ignored. In general, we also tend to think of those abused in terms of “groups” – young or middle-aged Americans – however it has been reported that older women (67 percent) are far more likely than men (32 percent) to be victims of abuse and a little more than half (53 percent) of the abusers are female. Elder abuse and neglect is a reality for far too many of our seniors today. It is our responsibility as a society to recognize the warning signs, to intervene and to help educate others about how to report and reduce the incidence of this crime.

Published in Elder Law Articles

Vincent J. Russo featured in Newsday's "Ask the Expert" Column

My mom is 93 and in failing health. She has fallen twice in the past, and recuperated after 100 days in a nursing home. I've lived in her house with her since 1995. Recently, I've had to enlist a live-in attendant to care for her. What are the rules governing house ownership if she has to go into a nursing home? I have her health-care proxy.

Your mother can take legal steps that will preserve...

pdf 2010 Newsday Ask the Expert Nov 5

Published in Elder Law in the News