Hurley Elder Care Law Newsletter - March 2019

 
 
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March 2019  

Hurley Elder Care Law: Your Ally as You Age

Hurley Elder Care Law is excited to announce a new service offering for our community: The Aging Ally.  The Aging Ally is a service offered by Hurley Elder Care Law to help older adults in Georgia age with a safety net.  Intended to provide extra support to older adults who do not have a designated healthcare and/or financial agent, Hurley Elder Care Law can now step into that role, becoming a hired advocate and decision-maker when necessary.
 
Our team of professionals can become the client’s healthcare and/or financial agent, providing decision-making services, oversight of healthcare and financial affairs, and protection of financial and physical well-being. 
 
You Don’t Have to Age Alone
There are many reasons why an older adult may need additional support from a family member, friend, or hired professional.  The complex long-term care world, declining physical and cognitive abilities, and overwhelming medical issues may require an advocate or care partner to secure the best outcomes.
 
Those who age alone or without a high level of support are at higher risk for medical problems, cognitive decline and premature death. Why not age with the assistance of a team of professionals that identifies your needs, coordinates services to help you and advocates for your care? Hurley Elder Care Law can stand beside you as you navigate the complex process of aging.
 
Who Needs an Aging Ally?
Most older adults have family and friends to help them. In fact, according to the Institute on Aging “sixty-five percent of older adults with long-term care needs rely exclusively on family and friends to provide assistance.” Someone may be a good fit for the Aging Ally services if:
  • He is unmarried or widowed with no children.
  • She is aging without the support of family members.
  • Any adult children are spread out across the country and not readily available.
  • Any adult children are uninvolved or estranged.
  • He prefers enlisting a neutral party in order to keep peace and tranquility within the family.
  • She is concerned about burdening your family with the responsibility of care.
  • He has outlived his relatives and friends.
  • Her spouse is in poor health, and she is concerned about his well-being if she were to die before him.
  • He is concerned that heirs would consider their needs before his when making decisions about care.
  • She feels overwhelmed by the process of planning for future care needs and would like assistance from a comprehensive firm that has over 100 years of combined experience.
What Services Can Hurley Elder Care Law Provide?
Every client will receive a tailored service package designed to meet his/her needs. After a thorough assessment, we customize each plan so that we have the level of involvement that is needed in any given situation. This is not a one-size fits all program. We want to find the right size for you and your specific needs. The Aging Ally services can include:
  • Estate Planning (e.g., updated Advance Directives, Powers of Attorney, Wills, and/or Trusts)
  • Asset Protection Planning to maximize our client’s resources
  • Care Coordination Services (an initial assessment and on-going involvement by our licensed staff)
  • Surrogate Decision-Making, if/when needed by our team
  • Hiring and Oversight of Other Helping Professionals (e.g., CNAs, Geriatric Care Managers, etc.)
  • Bill Paying, if/when needed
  • Long-Term Care Placement in the least-restrictive environment that meets both financial and medical needs
  • and more…
If you are interested in learning more about Hurley Elder Care Law’s Aging Ally services, please contact our office in order to make an appointment with one of our Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA). We begin each relationship with a phone call and an in-person assessment with our team.  You can reach us at (404) 843-0121 or through our website


Family Business
Just a few weeks ago, Pauls sons both entered the Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby. Evan is 11 years old and in his last year in Cub Scouts, while Owen is 6 years old and in his first year in Cub Scouts. Both had a great time at the Pinewood Derby event and were even more excited when they both got 1st Place for speed in their respective Dens. They designed their cars to be “brother” cars and they both were very proud of themselves with the results. It was a great day for the family!

On a sad note This month we must say goodbye to Keesha Keiser in our Community Relations Department. Keesha and her daughter will be moving to Florida to be closer to her family. We will miss her greatly!
Upcoming Speaking Events & Community Presentations
Continuing Education (CE)
The VA “Aid and Attendance” benefit is one of the VA’s best kept secrets for retired service men and women. Wartime veterans over 65 or their surviving spouses who are facing the burden of long-term care costs can use the benefit to offset the expenses of in-home caregivers, Assisted Living Community fees and in certain circumstances Independent Living Community fees. The VA has recently implemented comprehensive changes to the rules for qualification. It is now critically important for healthcare professionals to understand the impact of these changes as they assist patients and families with their long-term care options. 11:30 AM -12:00 PM Registration and Lunch, 12:00 PM -1:00 PM CE Education, Optional tour of the community afterwards, Garden Plaza of Lawrenceville, 230 Collins Industrial Way, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, RSVP:  gardenplaza2019.eventbrite.com *This CE is currently full but please feel free to join the waitlist.

Thursday, April 11 - Join Danielle Humphrey, JD, CELA, for a complimentary dinner CE on “Guardianship and Ethics: How to Avoid Removing Someone’s Rights” at Morningside of Alpharetta
The Guardianship/Conservatorship process is a necessary, complicated intersection of our medical and legal worlds. Oftentimes, the healthcare providers are the first to recognize that a patient’s capacity may be questionable. Recommending that a family seek guardianship over their loved one may mean that complicated medical issues and complex family dynamics will be litigated in a courtroom. What ethical implications and unintended outcomes can result from this recommendation? In this CE, Hurley Elder Care Law will offer information on the basics of guardianship/conservatorship, explore the ethical issues surrounding removing someone’s rights, and offer practical alternatives to guardianship. Current information on Georgia’s Advance Directives and Powers of Attorney will also be provided. 5:30 PM- 6:00 PM Registration and Dinner, 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM CE Education, Morningside of Alpharetta, 253 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30008,  RSVP: morningsidealpharettace.eventbrite.com

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are a looming national public health crisis.  It is important for health care providers in Georgia to understand the problem and to know how our state will be meeting the growing needs of individuals and families impacted by dementia. This CE will explore the programs, services, and policies that have been implemented to diagnosis, treat, care for, and protect our residents with dementia. Hurley Elder Care Law will discuss what Georgia is doing well, what needs improvement, and how the private sector, public sector, and academics can best work together to best meet the need for this growing population. 11:30 AM-12:00 PM: Lunch and Registration, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM: CE Education, Ridgeview Institute Monroe, 709 Breedlove Drive, Monroe, GA 30655, RSVP: ridgeviewmonroe.eventbrite.com

Healthcare professionals recognize that dealing with a surrogate decision maker (healthcare agent or next of kin) is often necessary. Yet knowing who is the legal decision maker is not always clear. During the presentation Danielle will present information explaining the four different types of surrogate decision makers and their necessary legal documents. The discussion will feature a review of ethical dilemmas that health care agents face and examine guidelines for making decisions on behalf of someone else. Through a series of case studies, the presenters will discuss how healthcare professionals sometimes struggle with patient autonomy and informed consent when surrogates are involved. 11:30 AM-12:00 PM: Lunch and Registration, 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM: CE Education, Ridgeview Institute Smyrna, 3995 South Cobb Drive, Smyrna, GA 30080, RSVP: ridgeviewsmyrna.eventbrite.com

Community Presentations

The options for paying for long-term care are limited. Did you know that Medicare will not pay for home care or Assisted Living Community care? Do you know what Medicaid provides? Most families do not realize their limited options until they are in a crisis—usually when their loved one is about to be discharged from a hospital. Making decisions while in a crisis can be stressful and result in bad choices. This seminar is intended to provide information prior to a crisis. Learn how to best find, get and pay for good long-term care. 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM Presentation, East Cobb Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA 30066. No RSVP is needed. Please call 770-509-4900 for more information.

The VA “Aid and Attendance” benefit is one of the VA’s best kept secrets for retired service men and women. Wartime veterans over 65 or their surviving spouses who are facing the burden of long-term care costs can use the benefit to offset the expenses of in-home caregivers and Assisted Living Community fees. The VA has recently implemented comprehensive changes to the rules for qualification. It is now critically important to understand the impact of these changes and how they affect your long-term care options.
5:30 PM- 6:00 PM- Refreshments, 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM Presentation, Dogwood Forest of Dunwoody, 7400 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30328, RSVP: Dyan Burnstein at (770) 350-7833 or dogwoodforestdunwoody.eventbrite.com

The options for paying for long-term care are limited.  Did you know that Medicare will not pay for home care or assisted living community care?  Do you know what Medicaid provides?  Are you aware of the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance  benefit and the recent changes to the benefit?  Most families do not realize their limited options until they are in a crisis—usually when their loved one is about to be discharged from a hospital.  Making decisions while in a crisis can be stressful and result in bad choices.  This seminar is intended to provide information prior to a crisis.  Learn how to best find, get and pay for good long-term care. 5:30 PM-6:00 PM: Refreshments, 6:00 PM-7:00 PM: Program, Sunrise Five Forks, 3997 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lilburn, GA 30047, RSVP:  Ellie Flanders Elelier.Flanders@sunriseseniorliving.com or (770) 381-7733.

Do you know who would be making your healthcare decisions if you were unable to communicate? State regulations about who can step in and make your healthcare decisions may go against what you want. Learn why you need a Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care and what can happen if you don’t have one and cannot express your wishes. Participants will have an opportunity to complete their own Advance Directives. 1:30 PM- 2:30 PM Presentation, Alpharetta Adult Activity Center, 13450 Cogburn Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004. No RSVP is needed. Please call 678-297-6140 for more information.

For more details and a complete list of upcoming events, please visit Hurley Elder Care Law Community Education.
Recent Blogs
A To Do List for Aging Loved Ones- How to talk to your loved ones about your finances, your wishes and your plans.

The Advance Directive Talk- Five important topics to discuss with your loved ones.

What to keep and what to toss?- Read these helpful tips for organizing your paperwork.
Elder Care Resources
Long Term Care Communities- Get a sneak peak of our Metro Atlanta Nursing Home and Assisted Living Guide!

Free Resources- We offer seminars, complimentary phone consultations, downloadable resources and MORE!

Rehabbing in Skilled Nursing- Can I be discharged from rehab because I have “Plateaued?"
Miles P. Hurley, JD, CELA  Miles P. Hurley founded Hurley Elder Care Law in 2006 to provide legal assistance to the elderly population on issues relating to aging including retaining independence, quality of life and financial security. Mr. Hurley is one of twelve attorneys in the state of Georgia to receive the Elder Law Attorney Certification, and one of approximately 400 nationwide. 
Hurley Elder Care Law is dedicated to the process of long-term care and estate planning. 
Call us today for a free phone consultation with a client coordinator at (404) 843-0121.

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Hurley Elder Care Law
100 Galleria Pkwy, Suite 650
Atlanta, GA 30339
404-843-0121

Satellite Offices
2011 Commerce Dr. Suite 100, Peachtree City, GA 30269   
225 Creekstone Ridge, Woodstock, GA 30188       
6340 Sugarloaf Pkwy. Suite 200, Duluth, GA 30097
                       



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