Medicare, Medicaid and MassHealth are all extremely important programs that can help Massachusetts residents with their medical needs. It's common to hear their names tossed around in the same conversation, and it can be easy to get them confused with each other...
elder law
What is a conservatorship?
Watching your parents grow older can be difficult. They may develop medical problems, have trouble remembering things or become less able to manage their affairs. This is often an emotional and complicated time for families as they wonder what comes next. The time may...
What are some early warning signs of dementia?
As people age, they become more prone to dementia. Dementia is a medical condition requiring treatment. Emotionally, it is a difficult thing for a family to deal with. The condition also raises significant legal and financial issues. It is important to recognize if...
Long-term care options that keep you at home
We’ve spent a lot of time on this blog talking about your potential need for long-term care and how you can pay for it while still protecting your assets. That’s important information that you should take in, but in this post, we want to take a step back and look at...
Five errors to avoid when engaging in Medicaid planning
The need for long-term care is real. A significant portion of the population will need some sort of long-term care at some point in their lives, which brings with it exorbitant costs. How are you going to pay those expenses if they arise? Are you simply going to turn...
Should I move to a long-term care facility with my spouse?
Learning that your spouse must move into a long-term care facility means you must make some difficult choices. The thought of being separated from your spouse can be heartbreaking, but you also might not be ready to move into a facility yourself. Different types of...
Is it too late to have a will drafted?
Having a will drafted is something that many people put off for various reasons. Perhaps the business of daily life gets in the way, or you are just reluctant to think about things such as your death or becoming incapacitated. However, sometimes an event will cause...
Choosing a guardianship or conservatorship
As people age, they may need a guardian or conservator who can make decisions for them or manage their affairs if they are unable to do so. A guardianship and conservatorship are used for similar purposes; however, they are not the same. Guardianship and...
Can my mother’s nursing home kick her out if she can’t pay?
Living in a nursing home can be a difficult transition for residents. They have been moved into an environment that is nothing like home, and if they have mental health or memory issues, they could be confused, try to leave the facility or even become agitated or...
Discussing estate planning with aging parents
There comes a time in almost everyone’s life when they age and need assistance. While it can be difficult for adult children to discuss estate planning with their aging parents, it is important to do so to ensure that their parents’ wishes are carried out. Approaching...