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Brighton Office:  10299 Grand River, Suite N  |   Brighton, MI 48116  |  (810)229-0220
West Branch Office:  2116 M-55 | West Branch, MI 48661 | (989) 418-3500
 www.nawrockilaw.com 

March, 2021

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A special message from Nancy Nawrocki of the Nawrocki Center:

Are Children Responsible for a Parent’s Nursing Home Bill

Are children of a nursing home resident financially responsible for mom or dad’s bill charged by the facility?  An interesting question.  Why was I thinking about this today?  In 2020, the state of Ohio considered a case involving a son, whose father was receiving nursing home care  ...

New Resource for Seniors: AARP Launches Virtual Community Center
There is a new resource for seniors to find learning, self-improvement and fun… and it’s FREE for everyone!  In early February, AARP launched its Virtual Communi...

Nawrocki Center Offers FREE Webinars
To help keep or clients and friends appraised of the latest developments in Elder Law, we are offering FREE Webinars on Elder Law topics of interest, at specific scheduled times,...

Biden Administration May Spell Changes to Estate Tax and Stepped-Up Basis Rule
While it remains unclear exactly what tax changes President Biden’s administration will usher in, two possibilities are that it will propose lowering the estate tax exemption and eliminating the stepped-up basis on death.

What to Do With Your Stimulus Check if You Are in a Nursing Home
As the second (and maybe third) round of stimulus checks go out, it is important to know that nursing home residents are not required to turn their checks over to their nursing home.

Long-Term Care Benefits for Veterans and Surviving Spouses
Long-term care costs can add up quickly. For veterans and the surviving spouses of veterans who need in-home care or are in a nursing home, help may be available.

Help Paying for Medicare
Medicare is not free; there are premiums and deductibles. If you don't qualify for Medicaid and can't afford a Medigap policy, you may be able to get help paying for the costs of Medicare.

The Top Eight Mistakes People Make With Medicaid
Medicaid planning can be a difficult and confusing process. Getting assistance from a qualified attorney will help you avoid these common mistakes.

What is Long-Term Care and Who Provides It?
Long-term care is the care you need if you can’t perform daily activities on your own for an extended period of time. There are a number of different ways that this kind of care can be provided.

Congress Fixes Some, But Not All, Medicare Enrollment Problems
Tucked into the federal spending bill that passed at the end of December 2020 are some changes aimed at simplifying Medicare enrollment and addressing coverage gaps. But Congress chose not to deal with the biggest problem.

Nursing Home Residents Face Even Greater Barriers to Voting Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has forced nursing homes to place a number of restrictions on their residents. These constraints are having the unintended consequence of making it more difficult for nursing home residents to vote.

Medicare Beneficiaries May Be Eligible for an Extra 100 days of Skilled Nursing Coverage Due to Pandemic
Medicare beneficiaries who qualified for skilled nursing facility (SNF) coverage may be eligible for an additional 100 days of coverage. Whether beneficiaries can actually get the extended coverage is another question.

The Ins and Outs of Guardianship and Conservatorship
Every adult is assumed to be capable of making his or her own decisions unless a court determines otherwise. If an adult becomes incapable of making responsible decisions, then the court will appoint a substitute decision maker.

Reverse Mortgages: A Way to Remain at Home Longer
Reverse mortgages make it possible for house-rich but cash-poor elders to use their housing equity to pay for home care while they remain in the home, or to use the money for anything else.

Movement Grows to Add Dental Coverage to Medicare
Medicare does not offer much in the way of dental benefits, but advocates for Medicare beneficiaries are arguing for that to change.

Will Restrictive Immigration Policies Cause a Shortage of Caregivers for the Elderly?
As the population ages, the need for caregivers is growing, but restrictive immigration policies, whatever you may think of them, could have a negative impact on a caregiving industry that is already facing workforce shortages.

Most Are Taking Social Security at the Wrong Time
A new report finds that almost no retirees are making financially optimal decisions about when to take Social Security and are losing out on an average of more than $100,000 per household in the process.

Tips for Preventing, Detecting, and Reporting Financial Abuse of the Elderly
Reports of elder financial abuse continue to increase, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to scams or to financial abuse by family members in need of money.

What to Look for When Buying an Annuity
An annuity can be a useful tool for long-term care planning, but annuities are also complex financial products that are hard to understand. If purchasing an annuity, you need to consider your options carefully.

How to Plan Your Funeral
Thinking about your funeral may not be fun, but planning ahead is helpful. It both lets your family know your wishes and assists them during a stressful time.

Medicare's Different Treatment of the Two Main Post-Hospital Care Options
Hospital patients who need additional care after being discharged from the hospital are usually sent to either an inpatient rehabilitation facility or a skilled nursing facility, and Medicare offers very different coverage for each.

Tips on Creating an Estate Plan that Benefits a Child with Special Needs
Parents want their children to be taken care of after they die. But children with disabilities have increased financial and care needs, so ensuring their long-term welfare can be tricky.

How Parents Can Provide for a Caregiver Child
Taking care of a parent can be a full-time job. Parents who want to compensate a child who takes on the burden of caregiving may do so in one of several ways.

Guns and Dementia: Dealing With A Loved One's Firearms
Having a loved one with dementia can be scary, but if you add in a firearm, it can also get dangerous.  To prevent harm to both the individual with dementia and others, it is important to plan ahead for how to deal with any weapons. 

Be Careful About Putting Only One Spouse's Name on a Reverse Mortgage
A recent case involving basketball star Caldwell Jones demonstrates the danger in having only one spouse's name on a reverse mortgage.

Brighton Office:                      West Branch Office
10299 Grand River, Suite N     2116 M-55, Suite B

Brighton, MI 48116                   West Branch, MI 48661
Phone: 810-229-0220             Phone: 989-418-3500
               Website: www.nawrockilaw.com

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