Category: Education for Senior Providers

Oregon Transfer-On-Death Deeds: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Post by Stephanie Carter, Attorney at Law, with Draneas & Huglin, P.C.

Member, Senior Resource Alliance Northwest

On January 1, 2012, a new estate planning tool became available to Oregonians–the Transfer-on-Death Deed (TODD).  The new law allows property owners to transfer real property (i.e., real estate) to one or more beneficiaries using a TODD.   The Deed must be recorded while the transferor is still living, but is revocable and does not take effect until the transferor’s death.  This means that the property owner can sell the property at any time during his or her lifetime, automatically revoking the TODD.

Bank accounts, certificates of deposit, investment accounts, life insurance and almost all other assets have long allowed the owner to designate a beneficiary and, thus, avoid probate.  Real property, often the largest asset a person owns, did not allow such a designation.  The new TODD is intended to allow for real property to pass after death without probate.

When used in the right circumstances, a TODD could save the estate money.

As an estate planner, I have several concerns about the use of  TODDs without first obtaining competent legal advice.  Some of these are:

1.  Potential for fraud and elder abuse.  An untrustworthy individual could influence an elderly property owner to sign a TODD in his or her favor.  Such a transfer may defeat the transferor’s estate planning objectives.  The persons who would otherwise have inherited the property would have to bring a court action to defeat the TODD.

2.  18-month Cloud on Title.  When an estate is probated, there is a four-month creditor claim period, and the State of Oregon must be informed of the probate proceeding.  At the end of the claim period, clear title to the property may be transferred.  If a TODD is used, the property may not be transferred for 18 months.  One of the reasons for this longer period is to allow the state of Oregon to learn of the property owner’s death and assert a claim against the property for monies the State paid out for Medicaid care.

3.  Multiple grantors may lead to inconsistent results.  If there are joint grantors, a surviving grantor may revoke the deed after the other grantor’s death.  The revocation may be inconsistent with the deceased grantor’s wishes.

A TODD may or may not be the best tool for you to use to transfer real property at your death.  Consult an estate planning attorney to learn if this option is right for you. 

Stephanie Carter, Attorney at Law, Draneas & Huglin, P.C., 4004 Kruse Way Place, Suite 200,
Lake Oswego, OR, (503) 496-5509, stephanie@draneaslaw.com

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No Comments by jeanblackburn on January 31, 2012
filed in Baby Boomer Age Wave, Education for Senior Providers, Elder Law, Family Caregivers, Financial Issues, Risks, Resources, Legislative and Political Issues, Senior Resource Alliance NW

Who Gets the Tax Deduction When Decedent’s Personal Property is Donated to a Charity?

Post by Stephanie Carter,  Attorney at Law, with Draneas & Huglin, P.C.

Member, Senior Resource Alliance Northwest

When I assist a personal representative in the probate of an estate, the question almost always arises:  Who gets the tax deduction when the decedent’s personal property is donated to a charity?

Most clients assume that the estate gets the tax deduction.  That is incorrect!  Instead, the receipt for the deduction should be passed on to the beneficiary.  So, look at the decedent’s will or trust to see who was gifted the decedent’s personal property.  If the decedent died with no estate planning in place, then you would look at the intestacy statute to see who inherits the estate.

It is also important to remember that a trustee or personal representative (“fiduciary”) should not dispose of personal property to anyone other than the designated beneficiary without authorization.  Sometimes this authorization is provided in the will or trust. 
For example, the estate planning document may give the fiduciary discretion to sell personal property and give the beneficiary the proceeds from sale.  In other cases, the beneficiaries may jointly agree that certain items may be donated (e.g., those items that do not sell at an estate sale).

Stephanie Carter, Attorney at Law, Draneas & Huglin, P.C., 4004 Kruse Way Place, Suite 200,
Lake Oswego, OR, (503) 496-5509, stephanie@draneaslaw.com

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No Comments by jeanblackburn on January 30, 2012
filed in Education for Senior Providers, Elder Law, End-of-Life Care, Family Caregivers, Financial Issues, Risks, Resources, Legislative and Political Issues, Senior Resource Alliance NW

Lack of Estate Planning Sets the Stage for Conflict

Post by Stephanie Carter, Attorney at Law, with Draneas & Huglin, P.C.

Member, Senior Resource Alliance Northwest

A surprising number of famous people have died without any form of will or trust to direct distribution of their estate.  This has often led to conflicts over the right to control the estate assets, including intellectual property, public image, and other money-producing assets.

For example, Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t have a will when he was unfortunately assassinated.  His estate, which is run now through a corporation established by his children, often struggles to determine what King’s wishes would be.  Decades after the civil rights leader’s death, his children are still trying to sort out matters related to his estate.

Reggae singer Bob Marley left no will when he died in 1981.  Over the past 30 years, the estate has been involved in multiple lawsuits.  Handling Marley’s estate was complicated by the fact that, although Marley died in Florida, he maintained his Jamaican citizenship.  Since Jamaica’s laws of intestacy were not as generous as Florida’s, his advisors decided to prepare an estate plan AFTER HIS DEATH that Marley’s widow then signed.

The Jamaican court sorted out the issue of the falsified will and removed Marley’s widow as administrator of the estate.  The court then had to resolve the issue of who had the right to use the singer’s name, likeness and image in commerce.  About 10 years after Marley’s death, the Jamaican Supreme Court decided that Marley’s heirs possessed this exclusive right.  The heirs include the widow and Marley’s children.  Unfortunately, the list of heirs does not incude siblings.  The estate is now suing Marley’s half-brother for using his image to promote a Miami music festival and restaurant, as he has done for many years.

Swedish author Steig Larsson, known for his Millennium series that includes The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, also died without a will.  His estate passed to his heirs (brother and father with whom Larsson was not close) rather than his long-time partner, Eva Gabrielsson.  Gabrielsson has refused to release to the estate the partial fourth volume in the book series, has fought for her share of the apartment they shared, and control over Larsson’s literary estate, which she feels better prepared to administer than Larsson’s family  The dispute is still pending.

Although your estate may not be large, and you may not be famous, proper estate planning can help pass your estate to the next generation without the conflicts that occur when money and sentiment are involved.

Stephanie Carter, Attorney at Law, Draneas & Huglin, P.C., 4004 Kruse Way Place, Suite 200,
Lake Oswego, OR, (503) 496-5509, stephanie@draneaslaw.com

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No Comments by jeanblackburn on January 30, 2012
filed in Communication and Relationships, Education for Senior Providers, Elder Law, End-of-Life Care, Family Caregivers, Financial Issues, Risks, Resources, Legislative and Political Issues, Senior Care Reference Materials, Senior Resource Alliance NW, Uncategorized

Website Offers Help for Alzheimer’s Families

Blog Post by Mike Brunt

In my six and a half years of providing caregiving services to seniors at home, I have supported many families affected by Alzheimer’s disease as they struggle to understand and cope with the changes the disease brings to their senior loved ones. My desire is always to help the families know that while their journey will test their emotional and physical stamina, they are not alone and that help is available.

The families I have observed who were most centered in facing Alzheimer’s disease were the ones who had an understanding of the nature of the disease and who sought for and found emotional support through peer groups or professionals.

Because knowledge and understanding are so imperative for families coping with Alzheimer’s, I am pleased to refer you to an excellent online resource: http://www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com.

The site answers questions such as -

  • What is the difference between Alzheimer’s disease & dementia?
  • What are the stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia?
  • Is Alzheimer’s inherited?

 

But it also goes beyond the basics to provide practical advice on topics such as  -

  • Capturing Memories for Someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia
  • Alzheimer’s Conversation Tips
  • Creating a Memory Box

 

If you are a member of a family affected by Alzheimer’s disease, this site is for you. If you know a member of such a family, please do them a favor and point them to this thoughtful resource.

http://www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com

 

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2 Comments by Mike Brunt on January 19, 2012
filed in Alzheimer's and Dementia, Clinical Insights for Elder Care, Communication and Relationships, Education for Senior Providers, Family Caregivers, Practical Tips and Resources

Dispute Over Estate of Stieg Larsson Highlights Importance of Estate Planning

Post by Stephanie Carter, Elder Law Attorney with Draneas & Huglin, P.C.

Member, Senior Resource Alliance Northwest

In November 2004, Stieg Larsson, Swedish writer and journalist, died suddenly of a heart attack.  Larsson became famous after his death through the posthumous publication of his Millennium Trilogy (“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,” “The Girl Who Played With Fire” and “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest”).  Today, these books have sold more than 20 million copies in 41 countries and have been made into movies.

Larsson lived for 32 years with the architect Eva Gabrielsson.  They never married; they had no children; and he did not leave a will.  Swedish law makes no provision for common-law marriage.  Under the Swedish law of intestacy, Larsson’s entire estate was inherited by his Father and Brother, from whom he was estranged.

This disposition of Larsson’s estate sparked a bitter dispute between Larsson’s Father, Brother and Eva Gabrielsson.  Gabrielsson claimed that Larsson’s Father and Brother Larsson “were never a part of our lives” and that they are unsuited to handling his estate–including the valuable copyrights.

Larsson’s former workplace, Expo, owns the computer on which is stored the partial manuscript for the fourth book in the Millennium series.  Larsson’s Father and Brother own the contents of the computer.   However, Gabrielsson currently is in possession of the computer and has so far refused to hand it over.

Negotiations between the parties began in November 2009, but were broken off the following month when Gabrielsson announced she had declined a ”settlement” offer of about 2 million euros from Larsson’s estate (which is now valued in the tens of millions of euros).  The dispute remains unresolved.

 

Practical Application Under Oregon Law

The situation described above is unfortunately all too common.  The outcome under Oregon law would be similar to that of Sweden in this context. If a person dies with no will, the deceased person’s probate estate wil pass to members of his or her family in the order of priority listed in the statute.  If assets like bank accounts, certificate of deposit, and life insurance list beneficiaries, the asset will pass to the listed beneficiary.  If no beneficiary is listed, the asset becomes a part of the probate estate.

The problem also arises when a deceased person signs estate planning documents, but never updates them and does not regularly (every 3-5 years) check the beneficiary designations on assets that do not pass by will or trust.

It is very difficult when I have to tell a client that he or she will not share in a loved one’s estate because of outdated documents.  Do you have estate planning in place?  If so, how long has it been since you updated it?

Stephanie Carter, Draneas & Huglin, P.C., 4004 Kruse Way Place, Suite 200,
Lake Oswego, OR, (503) 496-5509, Stephanie@draneaslaw.com

 

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No Comments by conniemulligan on October 20, 2011
filed in Alzheimer's and Dementia, Baby Boomer Age Wave, Education for Senior Providers, Elder Law, Financial Issues, Risks, Resources, Legislative and Political Issues, Senior Care Reference Materials, Senior Resource Alliance NW

The Future of Technology in Senior Care by Intel and GE

The Future of Technology in Senior Care

Byline: Shannon McIntyre, Communications Manager, Intel-GE Care Innovations™

 

Today, we stand at the precipice of opportunity.  We have spent centuries treating people’s health only at times of crisis, relying exclusively on hospitals and clinics to manage care, excluding family caregivers from the heart of healthcare coordination where they belong.  We have ignored the importance that wellness and social connectivity can play in keeping a population healthy and happy.  We have denied the role that homes and communities can – and should – play in our overall healthcare system.

 

There are numerous studies out there that reveal the importance of keeping older adults connected with friends and loved ones.  According to the Public Library of Science Medicine, loneliness, as a health risk factor, is twice as detrimental as being obese, and equal to the risk of smoking cigarettes and alcoholism.[1] Less frequent participation in social activities is associated with a more rapid rate of motor decline in old age.[2] And over an average of five years, seniors who were the most socially active experienced only one-fourth the rate of cognitive decline compared to those with the lowest levels of social activity.[3]

 

Technology should be harnessed to give people confidence to live independently, wherever they want to call home.  It has the potential to connect millions of people and build relationships that never could have been made before.  We see this already through well-established technology systems such as Facebook, Skype, YouTube, Twitter, and dozens more – yet little emphasis has been made on how similar programs can help seniors overcome the loneliness and isolation that so many of them experience.

 

One example of a solution that was developed specifically to address this need is Intel-GE Care Innovations™ Connect, a new solution from the joint venture between GE and Intel Corporation.  Care Innovations™ Connect is a new wellness communications tool and social networking hub designed to address social isolation in older adults.  It includes an easy-to-use digital device for the senior’s residence that offers wellness surveys that communicate back to professional caregivers, brain fitness games (e.g. trivia game, card matching game), medication compliance reminders, residential community information, and simple social networking tools.

 

Connect is based on a decade of senior focused research and has been rigorously user tested with seniors and caregivers.  For seniors, personalization, a friendly touch screen with large icons and text helps them quickly integrate Connect into their daily routines.  The system also includes an online interface for the professional caregiver to securely access their residents’ wellness data, enabling them to respond immediately to issues.

 

Care Innovations also offers a variety of other tools to help seniors live independently: the Care Innovations™ Guide, a next-generation remote health management solution that connects patients and healthcare professionals; GE QuietCare®, an advanced motion sensor technology that learns the daily living patterns of senior community residents; and the Intel® Reader, a mobile device that transforms printed text to the spoken word for those with reading-based disabilities or impaired vision.

 

At the heart of all these initiatives is the importance of supporting a spectrum of healthy living from wellness and independence on-the-go to managing serious chronic illnesses.  Aging must be viewed in a more positive light, and we have the responsibility to support new innovations and solutions that can help support these great generations.

 

Copyright ©2011 Intel-GE Care Innovations LLC. All rights reserved.  Care Innovations and the Care Innovations logo are trademarks of Intel-GE Care Innovations LLC in the United States and other countries. QuietCare is a registered trademark of Intel-GE Care Innovations LLC.  Intel and the Intel corporate logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries, used under license.  GE and the GE Monogram are trademarks of General Electric Company in the United States and other countries, used under license.  *All other third-party trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.  Any use of the trademarks of Intel-GE Care Innovations LLC (and its related companies) is prohibited without express written permission.

[3] Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (http://tinyurl.com/3szfzkr)

 

No Comments by Mike Brunt on August 23, 2011
filed in Clinical Insights for Elder Care, Communication and Relationships, Education for Senior Providers, Family Caregivers, Isolation and Depression, Technology, Equipment, and Devices

Senior Nutrition and Mealtime – Video

Blog Post by Mike Brunt

In this video, the first of a five-part series, Certified Senior Advisor Mary Alexander, from Home Instead Senior Care®, discusses senior nutrition and the benefits of mealtime companionship. This series emphasizes important nutritional considerations for seniors, highlights some of the challenges seniors face when trying to maintain a healthy diet, and suggests ways to make mealtime more enjoyable.

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No Comments by Mike Brunt on August 18, 2011
filed in Clinical Insights for Elder Care, Communication and Relationships, Education for Senior Providers, Family Caregivers, Isolation and Depression, Senior Nutrition and Health

Financial Safety Tips To Avoid Identity Theft

Post by Laura Miller of Sapphire DMM
Member, Senior Resource Alliance Northwest

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the country, affecting half a million new victims each year.  Although stealing someone’s identity to obtain credit or money can cost consumers thousands of  dollars, it often goes undetected for months or even years.  Here are some tips on preventing such theft:

  • Photocopy the contents of your wallet, copying both sides of each credit card.  Keep the photocopies and account numbers at home in a safe and secure place.
  • Do not give personal information over the telephone, through the mail, or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact.
  • Shred documents and pre-approved credit applications received in your name.
  • Never use your Mother’s maiden name, your birth date, or the last four digits of your social security number as your password.
  • Do not carry your social security card, birth certificate, or passport unless necessary.
  • Do not print your social security number or driver’s license number on your checks.
  • Order your credit report at least once a year.  Reports can be obtained from:

Equifax – 1.800.685.1111 or www.equifax.com
Experian – 1.888.397.3742 or www.experian.com
Trans Union – 1.800.680.7293 or www.transunion.com

Laura Miller
Sapphire Daily Money Management
www.sapphiredmm.com

No Comments by conniemulligan on July 9, 2011
filed in Community Service, Education for Senior Providers, Financial Issues, Risks, Resources, Senior Resource Alliance NW

Health Risks to Veterans by Specific War or Trauma

Blog Post by Mike Brunt
Content from www.WeHonorVeterans.org

I was talking last week with Liz Fischer from Hospice of Washington County, and she referred me to the web site www.WeHonorVeterans.org. We Honor Veterans is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The program invites hospices, state hospice organizations, Hospice-Veteran Partnerships and VA facilities to join a pioneering program focused on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment. By recognizing the unique needs of America’s veterans and their families, community providers, in partnership with VA staff, will learn how to accompany and guide them through their life stories toward a more peaceful ending.

One section of the web site, which I have found fascinating and useful in understanding veterans’ care needs, describes health risks unique to each war in recent American history. Factors such as extremely hot or cold climates, medication availability, chemical warfare, exposure to nuclear radiation, and other environmental hazards give each war it’s own array of common negative health effects for veterans.

Learn more about Veterans’ health risks specific to the wars and traumas listed to the right.

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2 Comments by Mike Brunt on July 5, 2011
filed in Education for Senior Providers, Geriatric Psychiatry, Veterans Issues and Resources

New Toolkit Helps Track Senior Medications

Blog Post by Mike Brunt 

 
Proper Medication Tracking is Vital to Keeping Seniors Healthy
You’ve just walked out of your mother’s latest doctor’s appointment and your head is spinning. The doctor wants to change the dosage on two medications, stop a third, and start a new fourth medication. Some of the medications need to be taken on an empty stomach and some with food. Some medicines your mother should take twice a day and some just in the evening. Keeping it all straight is making your head ache.
Even more importantly, however, is what can happen if you, and your mother, don’t track her medications properly. On average, seniors ages 85 and older take 34 prescriptions, including refills, per year, according to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP). And adverse drug reactions (ADRs) or noncompliance are responsible for 28 percent of all hospitalizations of the elderly, the organization reports.

The sheer volume of medications that most seniors are taking has the potential to create the perfect storm. Medication-related problems can cause, aggravate or contribute to common and costly geriatric problems including:

  • Depression

  • Dizziness

  • Falls

  • Incontinence

  • Insomnia

  • Loss of coordination

  • Malnutrition/dehydration

  • Memory loss

  • Psychiatric problems

 

 

Tools and Resources for Family Caregivers
Pill organizers can help track multiple prescriptions. So can the assistance of a family or professional caregiver. The Home Instead Senior Care® network offers many resources to help family caregivers stay on top of their loved ones’ medical situations.

In addition to in-home care services, Home Instead Senior Care has worked with Humana Points of Caregiving® to develop an information management toolkit and the Caring for Your Parents: Senior Emergency KitSM website to help you track medications and other important information regarding your senior loved ones’ health. This toolkit includes checklists and worksheets for medications, conditions, allergies, doctors, health advisors and important documents.

If you are facing caregiving challenges in your family, we want to help. Please contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office for more of these resources or to schedule a no-cost in-home consultation to learn more about how we can help you and your parents.

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1 Comment by Mike Brunt on June 30, 2011
filed in Communication and Relationships, Education for Senior Providers, Family Caregivers, Practical Tips and Resources

What is Geriatric Care Management?

Blog Post by Sandra Hedges, Owner of S.A.G.E. Care Management, LLC

WHAT IS GERIATRIC CARE MANAGEMENT?

Geriatric Care Management encompasses a broad range of services provided by qualified professionals who specialize in understanding the needs of elders and their families. A Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) provides support, guidance, and solutions to meet those needs. Professional Geriatric Care Managers assist elders and their families through the maze of issues that come up during the transitions of aging. Geriatric Care Managers come from a variety of professional disciplines including Licensed Clinical Social Work, Nursing, and Physical and Occupational Therapy. They must be licensed in their fields as well as by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM).

One of the most important functions of GCMs is to provide comprehensive and objective assessments that assist elders and their family members in making decisions. The GCM focuses on maintaining the well-being, independence, and dignity of elders while optimizing safety. GCMs specialize not only in meeting the needs of elders, but also in understanding and working within the environment in which the elder exists (such as high conflict families, challenging mental health problems, etc.).

GCMs are trained advocates for elders and serve the primary functions of assessing needs, planning care, coordinating services, and monitoring health. Following is a list of specific duties and roles of the Geriatric Care Manager:

  • Provide crisis intervention
  • Serve as a liaison with other professionals and coordinate a multi-disciplinary team.
  • Facilitate communication with family members who live far away and be a mediator in high-conflict family situations
  • Be the “eyes and ears” at medical appointments
  • Organize details of returning home (enhanced discharge planning)
  • Provide objective home evaluations 
  • Create comprehensive care plans to reduce crises and re-hospitalizations
  • Reduce anxiety for patients and their families
  • Prevent unnecessary hospitalizations
  • Evaluate safety needs in the home and implement changes
  • Locate and arrange qualified in-home caregivers to meet individual needs
  • Provide on-going oversight and management of home care assistance
  • Arrange household management tasks
  • Help with bill organization and payment
  • Counsel during loss and transitions
  • Assist with end of life planning and decision making
  • Organize record keeping
  • Assist with coordination of down sizing / relocation

 

Choosing the appropriate GCM for your family is all about finding the right “fit.” All GCM’s have different backgrounds, specialties and personalities. This is a person you will be working closely with, so you’ll want to select wisely. The professional management a GCM provides allows adult children and other family members to spend quality time with their senior loved ones. Also, the GCM takes pressure off of families by moderating interpersonal and communication issues. When a smooth pattern is established, the GCM can monitor the situation from the background and be ready to directly re-engage as the situation requires. 

Assisting honored seniors on the path of aging involves many bumps and turns along the way. With a process this fluid, a GCM can be an indispensable partner on the journey – one who can help preserve positive family relations during the elder’s final years and beyond. 

If you are interested in learning more about Geriatric Care Management, please visit the websites below or contact S.A.G.E. Care Management at 503-688-3866 or shedges@sage-gcm.com.

Resources:
www.sage-gcm.com
www.caremanager.org

About Sandra
Sandra Hedges is a Board Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Professional Geriatric Care Manager. She is the owner of S.A.G.E. Care Management, LLC. Sandra is originally from Hillsboro, OR and spent the last 7 years on the East Coast. She attended New York University to earn her Masters of Social Work and moved up to Boson to work as the Director of Geriatric Care Management for Overlook C.A.R.E. She is happy to be back in Hillsboro near her family and to provide Geriatric Care Management services for her community.

No Comments by Mike Brunt on May 12, 2011
filed in Communication and Relationships, Education for Senior Providers, Family Caregivers, Geriatric Psychiatry, Practical Tips and Resources

Study Links Paid In-Home Senior Care With Fewer Doctor Visits

Blog Post by Mike Brunt


Link to White Paper: Paid In-Home Care: MORE CARE & BETTER CARE FOR SENIORS

This Home Instead Senior Care-commissioned research project—entitled the “Value of Caregiving at Home” study—examined the perceptions and experiences of U.S. caregivers for seniors by conducting a survey among adults (aged 18 and older) who were providing and/or arranging care for an older adult (aged 65 or older).

Listed below are several findings from the study:

  • As the number of older Americans rapidly expands, paid in-home non-medical care can play a vital role in ensuring that seniors receive necessary and appropriate care even though the U.S. healthcare system is stretched thin in funding and staffing – a problem that likely will become more pronounced in the coming decades.
  • In an especially significant finding, the study indicates that on average, seniors receiving paid in-home non-medical care experience fewer doctor visits each year. This has major financial implications for seniors and their families, the healthcare system, and the federal budget.
  • The use of paid in-home non-medical professionals has a major impact not only on the quality of care that seniors receive, but also on the number of hours per week of care that they receive.
  • The use of professional in-home non-medical care may help delay or even prevent the need for more formal medical care, thus taking significant pressure off the country’s resource-strapped healthcare system – especially hospitals and nursing homes.

 

Link to White Paper: Paid In-Home Care: MORE CARE & BETTER CARE FOR SENIORS

No Comments by Mike Brunt on March 23, 2011
filed in Clinical Insights for Elder Care, Education for Senior Providers, Family Caregivers, Legislative and Political Issues

The U-Bend of Life, Why People Get Happier As They Get Older

Post by Mike Brunt
Source: The Economist, December 18, 2010

The U-bend of life: Why, beyond middle age, people get happier as they get older

 

ASK people how they feel about getting older, and they will probably reply in the same vein as Maurice Chevalier: “Old age isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative.” Stiffening joints, weakening muscles, fading eyesight and the clouding of memory, coupled with the modern world’s careless contempt for the old, seem a fearful prospect—better than death, perhaps, but not much. Yet mankind is wrong to dread ageing. Life is not a long slow decline from sunlit uplands towards the valley of death. It is, rather, a U-bend.

Link to full article

2 Comments by Mike Brunt on March 13, 2011
filed in Baby Boomer Age Wave, Education for Senior Providers, Isolation and Depression, Senior Nutrition and Health, The Lighter Side of Aging

Win Your Copy of “Stages of Senior Care” Signed by Paul Hogan

Blog Post by Mike Brunt

Thanks to all of you who made time on February 10 to hear Home Instead founder, Paul Hogan, speak about his book, Stages of Senior Care, in Portland. We had a great turnout of about 100 people.

Everyone who attended the event received a free copy of Paul’s new book, Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions. Attendees had the opportunity to meet Paul personally and have him sign their copy of the book. 

I know there are many more of you who wanted to come to the event, but couldn’t make it. I had Paul sign five extra books, and I’d like to get them into the hands of people who want them. To make it a little more fun, I decided to make it a game. (Can you tell I have a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old at home?)

 

How to Win Your Signed Copy of Stages of Senior Care:

1. Follow this link to our Facebook page.

2. Click on the “Like” button.

3. First 50 people to do this will have a 1 in 10 chance to win one of the 5 signed copies of the book!

1 Comment by Mike Brunt on February 21, 2011
filed in Education for Senior Providers, Senior Care Reference Materials

White Paper: In-Home Care’s Growing Importance to Health Care

Blog Post by Mike Brunt
White Paper Research Findings from Home Instead Senior Care

Paid In-Home Care: A GROWING PART OF THE MEDICAL-CARE CONTINUUM

The Home Instead Senior Care-commissioned research shows that as the number of older Americans rapidly expands, professional in-home non-medical care can play a vital role in shoring up a U.S. healthcare system that’s already stretched thin in funding and staffing – and that will become far more strained in the coming decades.

The study found that the use of in-home non-medical care can help families provide more and better overall care for older family members, and that it augments healthcare services seniors already receive – especially care provided in their homes by non-physician medical professionals.

For those older adults who have chronic health problems or who present demanding care-giving challenges, professional in-home non-medical care is an especially significant supplement to clinical medical care, and family care.

In a particularly compelling finding, the study indicates that on average, seniors receiving in-home non-medical care reportedly required 25-percent fewer doctor visits each year. It is our hope that further investigation can be done to deepen our understanding of this relationship, which has major financial implications for seniors and their families, the healthcare system, and the federal budget.

And overall, the use of professional in-home non-medical professionals has a major impact not only on the quality of care that seniors receive, but also on the number of hours per week of care provided to these older adults.

Finally, the use of professional in-home non-medical care may help delay or even prevent the need for more formal medical care, potentially taking significant pressure off the country’s cash- and resource-strapped healthcare system–especially hospitals and nursing homes. And in-home non-medical care may help lead seniors toward other labor- and cost-effective choices along the medical-care continuum.

White Paper:
Paid In-Home Care: A GROWING PART OF THE MEDICAL-CARE CONTINUUM

No Comments by Mike Brunt on February 17, 2011
filed in Baby Boomer Age Wave, Education for Senior Providers, Senior Care Reference Materials

What You Need to Know About Long-Term Care

Blog post by Mike Brunt
Content from the Society of Certified Senior Advisors

Get more info and download the free guide.

About 70 percent of people over age 65 require long-term care services to some extent, and the likelihood of needing care increases even more as you age. Yet the cost of long-term care often exceeds what the average person can pay from their income and other government programs. It is more important than ever for everyone, including seniors, their families and those professionals who work with them, to understand and plan ahead for long-term care.

The Society of Certified Senior Advisors has created a new comprehensive white paper on long-term care, What You Need to Know About Long-Term Care, that will provide you with invaluable information, including:

  • The importance of long-term care
  • What options for services are available
  • The costs associated with long-term care
  • How to determine whether long-term care insurance is right for you
  • Tools and guides to help you set up a plan

 

Get more info and download the free guide.

No Comments by Mike Brunt on February 15, 2011
filed in Education for Senior Providers, Financial Issues, Risks, Resources, Practical Tips and Resources, Senior Care Reference Materials

Founder of Home Instead to Speak in Portland on February 10

Event Now Passed: See Photos on Facebook

 

Blog Post by Mike Brunt

Those of you who have been following this blog for the past year probably by now recognize the name “Paul Hogan.” Paul and his wife, Lori, founded Home Instead Senior Care 17 years ago and last year wrote the USA Today Bestseller, Stages of Senior Care: Your Guide to Making the Best Decisions.

Mark Your Calendars!

On February 10, from 4-6 p.m., you are invited to hear Paul speak at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Portland. He will address long-term care professionals and family caregivers about the range of support services and resources available to seniors as they age. Paul’s presentation draws from ideas presented in the book including senior care options, pros and cons of each, relative costs, pitfalls to avoid, when each option is most appropriate, and how to deal with family conflict and caregiver stress.

CEU UPDATE
This event is approved by the Oregon Nursing Home Administration Board for 1 general hour of CEU credit. 

Attendees will also receive a free, signed copy of the book, Stages of Senior Care, and will get a chance to chat with Paul for a few minutes. 

Here are some examples of how Paul is a thought leader in the senior care industry:

http://seniorcare2share.com/2010/11/seniors-and-the-information-gap/
http://seniorcare2share.com/2010/08/caring-for-the-aging-time-to-create-a-new-model/

On a Personal Note…

Paul came to Bend, Oregon last year for a similar event where he spoke to long-term care professionals and adult children of aging parents. I decided to make it a father and son adventure with my just-turned-four-year-old boy, Henry. It was so much fun. Early in December, when I found out that Paul would be here for this event on February 10, I said to Henry, “Paul Hogan is coming to town.” He immediately responded, “Like Santa Claus?”

So, if you want to feel the excitement that a child feels at Christmas, just attend this event. You will be glad you did. 

No Comments by Mike Brunt on January 18, 2011
filed in Education for Senior Providers, Family Caregivers, Financial Issues, Risks, Resources, Practical Tips and Resources, Senior Care Reference Materials

Spouse on Medicaid? You May Need to Change Your Will.

Post by Elder Law Attorney, Geoff Bernhardt
Article on Geoff’s Blog

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Legislative Alert! Do You Have a Spouse on Medicaid? Oregon Law Now Requires You to Change Your Will

According to the State of Oregon, the average cost of long-term care is now $7,663 per month. Paying for this care for very long is beyond the means of most middle-class families. In an effort to obtain good care for an ill spouse and preserve enough assets for the healthy spouse to live independently, many people in this situation apply for assistance with care costs through the Medicaid program.

Once the Medicaid application is approved, most people neglect to consider a crucial question: What happens if the healthy spouse passes away before the ill spouse? While Medicaid allows an ill spouse to have only $2,000 in assets, a healthy spouse is permitted to maintain additional assets, as much as $109,560 plus the family home, for his or her support. What will happen to these assets if the healthy spouse dies first?

The answer depends on the will of the healthy spouse. Mostly, we see that the healthy spouse has made no change at all to an old will leaving all assets to the ill spouse. In that event, if the healthy spouse dies first, all assets pass to the ill spouse. This causes two problems. First, the ill spouse will immediately lose eligibility for Medicaid benefits. Second, due to illness, the ill spouse is usually unable to manage the inheritance. Sometimes the court has to appoint a conservator to manage the ill spouse’s inheritance and pay the bills. All of this results in large expenses for the ill spouse and extra hassle for loved ones.

Sometimes, the healthy spouse will go to the other extreme. Instead of leaving everything to the ill spouse, the healthy spouse signs a new will leaving nothing to the ill spouse. The problem with this is, under Oregon law, you cannot completely disinherit your spouse. An ill spouse has the right to receive a portion of the healthy spouse’s estate. If the ill spouse is on Medicaid, the State of Oregon will intervene in the healthy spouse’s estate, and the court will require that some of the healthy spouse’s estate be set aside for the ill spouse. As of January 1, 2011, that amount is being increased to one-third of the healthy spouse’s estate.

As a practical matter, this means that every healthy spouse who has an ill spouse receiving Medicaid benefits needs to update his or her will to comply with this change in Oregon law. At a minimum, one-third of the healthy spouse’s estate should be left in a support trust for the ill spouse. Remaining assets can be left in a special needs trust for the ill spouse (these funds will be protected from the Medicaid spend-down) or to other beneficiaries.

So, if you have a spouse in long-term care who now receives, or who may in the future receive Medicaid assistance, speak with an experienced elder law attorney to discuss bringing your will into compliance Oregon law. Prompt attention to this issue could save your family tens of thousands of dollars and avoid delays in Medicaid eligibility. Most importantly, updating your will helps to insure that the ill spouse will always receive good care and has the best possible quality of life.

No Comments by Mike Brunt on January 17, 2011
filed in Education for Senior Providers, Elder Law, Financial Issues, Risks, Resources

Volunteering May Save Your Life

Blog Post by Mike Brunt

John Tesh, Home Instead Senior Care spokesperson and popular radio talk show host, talks about volunteering’s positive effect on physical and emotional wellness.

  • Study by WebMD shows how selflessness and compassion for others seem to counteract the bad effects of stress on the human body.
  • Cornell University’s 30-year study on married women showed…
    • Biggest factor in extending a woman’s life expectancy was whether or not she did volunteer work.
    • People who are generous toward others have higher levels of the hormone, oxytocin, a stress-reducing chemical.
    • Helping others also releases dopamine in the brain which helps reduce anxiety.
  • Reducing stress boosts the health of your immune system and cardiovascular system.

 

Video 1.5 Minutes

Incidentally, the December meeting of SPIN (Senior Provider Information Network) provided a forum for all attendees to talk about community service and charitable giving opportunities during the holiday season. I found it inspiring to hear about all of the good work going on. I felt proud to be a franchise owner with Home Instead Senior Care, a company that has community service and charitable giving in its DNA. To find out more, read about the Home Instead Senior Care Foundation and the Be a Santa to a Senior program.

1 Comment by Mike Brunt on December 9, 2010
filed in Education for Senior Providers, Family Caregivers, Practical Tips and Resources, Senior Nutrition and Health

Seniors and The Information Gap

Blog Post by Mike Brunt
Information from Paul Hogan, Founder of Home Instead Senior Care

Seniors and The Information Gap   
  
We live in an information age. As consumers and citizens, information directs the way we invest or spend our money, ultimately determining how we live out our retirement years. Information is a game-changer for seniors. That’s how I view the findings of Home Instead, Inc.’s white paper Seniors & the Information Gap.

Home Instead Senior Care®, the company my wife Lori and I founded, commissioned the research report to discover how well seniors and their adult children understand senior care issues. As senior care advocates, it did not surprise Lori and me that survey respondents generally:

  • knew little about senior care options
  • were misguided about how much those options cost
  • were poorly informed about the financial resources needed to cover senior care costs

 

For example, 71 percent of adult children and 66 percent of seniors could name only two senior care options. And, by a large margin, the two they named most frequently were the most expensive options. In contrast, the book Lori and I wrote, Stages of Senior Care, lists nine choices in the senior care continuum.

Other survey findings showed:

  • 50 percent of seniors said they have not planned for their futures
  • respondents think senior care services cost more than they actually do, except in the case of skilled nursing homes. Nursing home care actually costs about $78,000 a year, but the majority of adult children of seniors thought it costs nearly $20,000 less than that.

 

These knowledge gaps are costly – and not knowing one’s financial options could quickly deplete a lifetime of retirement savings. In human terms, this may lead to seniors leaving their homes for facilities when that option is not necessary.  Seniors prefer to age in their own homes, and with safe and affordable in-home care, seniors can remain in their own homes much longer than they would be able to otherwise.

The senior care information gap also poses a major challenge for public officials, social workers, health care professionals, community planners and families. A lack of reliable facts on aging could result in serious disruptions in U.S. society, health care services and the economy.

Our country stands to lose too much, so elected officials must derail this impending crisis and reverse the senior care information gap. I know private sector thought leaders could contribute invaluable pro bono consultation through a public-private partnership to ensure the information age pays special attention to the age wave.

Seniors & the Information Gap affirms my belief that, together, we can have a far-reaching impact in senior care education. That’s why my personal goal and my corporate motto are the same: To change the face of aging. I stand ready to assist your efforts on behalf of seniors.

Sincerely,

Paul R. Hogan

Paul Hogan is Chairman & Founder of Home Instead Senior Care and, with his wife Lori, co-author of Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions.

2 Comments by Mike Brunt on November 5, 2010
filed in Education for Senior Providers, Legislative and Political Issues
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At Home Instead Senior Care, we provide non-medical services to senior citizens in their own homes or apartments. Our services include companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, escorting to appointments, personal care, and dementia care. We help seniors maintain their independence and help them stay safe, healthy, and happy at home, wherever home may be.