Several months ago an article appeared in the Los Angeles Times containing information that many people may not know about ambulance services. This article, titled online as “Ambulances: Basic info about a service you may take for granted,” includes useful…
Nursing Facility Resembling Village Opens in the Netherlands
Architects in the Netherlands have created a new innovative way for persons with dementia to live. The “dementia-focused living center,” De Hogeweyk or Hogewey, is a complex designed to resemble a village with restaurants, a supermarket, town square and other…
Caregiving in the Age of Mobile Apps
Elder and dependant adult care has gone mobile, as caregivers can now turn to their phones and other mobile devices for reminders, assistance and information. The following is a list of several mobile applications that caregivers may find useful. This…
New Limits on FHA Reverse Mortgages
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) reverse mortgages are available to homeowners age 62 and older, and allow the homeowner to use the equity in his or her home without repaying the principal balance and interest until the homeowner moves, sells the…
Social Security Administration and Department Of Defense Accepting Claims for Same Sex Benefits
After the fall of California’s Proposition 8 and the Supreme Court of the United States’ determination that certain provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) are unconstitutional, both the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the United States Department of…
DOMA Held Unconstitutional and California Proposition 8 Dismissed
With the fall of California’s Proposition 8, same-sex couples in California are now free to marry. This resounding victory, coupled with the Supreme Court of the United States’ determination that certain provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) are…
A Summary of Medi-Cal for Long Term Care
As Elder Law attorneys, we often help people qualify for Medi-Cal for Long Term Care benefits, available to eligible people who reside in skilled nursing facilities. Unfortunately, the requirements for Medi-Cal eligibility can be very confusing, technical and at times…
Managing Your Social Media After Your Death or Incapacitation
Do you keep up with your friends and family through Facebook? Do you upload pictures to the Internet? Do you receive financial statements electronically? If so, what will happen to these accounts when you die or can no longer manage…
The Problem With Gifting Your Residence During Your Lifetime
Many people ask us the same question: “Is there really any harm in gifting my residence to my children during my lifetime to avoid probate when I die?” While you may have a good relationship with your children now, we…
What is a Power of Attorney for Health Care and Why is it Important?
A Power of Attorney for Health Care (that often includes an Advance Health Care Directive) is a document in which you appoint someone else (the “agent” or “attorney-in-fact”) to make medical decisions for you if you cannot do so. The…