Showing 36 posts by Matthew S. Fedor.
Resources for Seniors and Caregivers
There are different types of care services available for elders and their caregivers, both in-person and online. Below, we will explore educational, financial, recreational, and supportive service options that can help develop a community for the senior in your life and for yourself in the caregiver role. Read More ›
Categories: Did you Know?, Elder Law, Long-Term Care
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Choosing the Right Housing Situation for Your Elderly Loved One
In a world where we are living longer, elder housing choices have become more plentiful and commonplace; but the terms used to describe these options have also created confusion. What is the difference between a home for the aged and an independent senior community? Is my loved one ready for a hospice center, or is a nursing home a better fit at this stage? Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Long-Term Care
Aging Unbound: A Multi-Part Caregiver Resource Guide
With advancing technology and ever-evolving science, it is no secret that we are living longer. As our elderly loved ones continue to get older, we want to be sure we are helping them through the aging process as smoothly and as painlessly as possible – not only for their sake, but for ourselves as caregivers. Read More ›
Categories: Dementia & Alzheimer's, Elder Law, Financing Long-term Care, Long-Term Care
How FEPA Protects Michigan’s Elderly Against Financial Exploitation
In 2021, Michigan passed the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act (FEPA or Act) which took effect last September. FEPA sets forth new requirements on financial institutions to report financial exploitation of vulnerable adults to adult protective services and law enforcement in Michigan, and was a result of work led by the Department of Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Task Force. Read More ›
Categories: Did you Know?, Financing, Senior Exploitation & Abuse
Checking in and Reconnecting with Family this Holiday Season
This article was originally published in September 2019 and has since been updated with more current information.
To say that last year’s 2020 holiday season was strange and exhausting would be a massive understatement. With the pandemic raging out of control and the COVID vaccine unavailable to most, many families had to settle for Zoom parties in place of visiting with loved ones.
Even worse, grandparents and other family members more at risk of severe COVID outcomes were forced to shelter away from loved ones, creating even more mental stress, and loneliness. Read More ›
Categories: Dementia & Alzheimer's, Elder Law, Senior Exploitation & Abuse
Valuable Benefits that Often Go Unused by Our Country’s Veterans
This blog post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated to include the most current information.
Our country’s veterans selflessly sacrificed in service of others, but whether due to pride or lack of knowledge, many don’t take advantage of the help available to them after leaving the military. There are many valuable benefits available to veterans—from tuition to long-term care assistance—that often go unused. Many of those who are eligible are unaware that certain benefits exist. Others whose eligibility is uncertain don’t realize that an attorney can help them obtain the benefits they’ve earned. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, VA Aid & Attendance
A Look at Conservatorships in Wake of Britney Spears Case
Britney Spears’ 13-year old conservatorship is making headlines once again after a judge denied a 2020 request to remove Ms. Spears’ father as conservator of her finances. Ms. Spears delivered an emotional testimony at the hearing and indicated she may soon petition the court to end the conservatorship altogether. The resurgence of the #FreeBritney movement is a good opportunity to discuss the legality of conservatorships and how attorneys can help. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
Time to Give Up the Keys? A Guide to Seniors and Driving
According to Michigan.gov, Michigan has over 1.2 million drivers that are age 65 and older. By 2025, it is expected that one in five drivers will be 65 and older. This is a trend that is sweeping across the country with more older drivers on the road than ever before. A person's ability to drive can mean everything to them; it serves not just as a means of getting from Point A to Point B, but it also represents their independence and personal freedom.
However data shows that driving gets riskier with age and while old age alone is not a reason to stop driving, a number of physical and mental conditions, such as dementia and vision/hearing impairment, can lead to an unsafe driver getting behind the wheel and possibly hurting themselves or others. So at one point does it become obvious that a senior driver must be told to give up the keys? Read More ›
Categories: Did you Know?, Elder Law
A Beginner’s Guide to Medicaid Planning
Please note that the information in the following blog post is meant to act only as a general guide. Medicaid is an extremely complex area and varies based on the individual. Your questions need to be addressed by an attorney with significant experience in the area prior to taking any action.
As we age and begin to need more assistance, we often hear the terms 'Medicare' and 'Medicaid' used interchangeably, but they are different on a number of fronts. Medicare is a federal program funded through tax payers and is based on age, although special circumstances such as certain disabilities, allow younger people to qualify. Medicaid is managed by individual states so the elements in the program can vary by region. Eligibility for Medicaid is based on income and resources available to the individual. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Medicare/Medicaid
Trending Scams Targeting Seniors in 2021
The COVID pandemic has and continues to take both a physical and mental toll on senior citizens. In addition to being the most vulnerable to the virus and having to endure long isolation periods from family and friends, the pandemic has also brought with it a whole new variety of frauds targeting older adults. Read More ›
Categories: Alerts and Updates, Cybersecurity, Elder Law, Medicare, Senior Exploitation & Abuse
Survivor's Checklist:
Due to the shock of the death of a spouse or a loved one, the steps of what needs to be done first can be an overwhelming process for the survivor(s). To aid in the breakdown and to act as a tool amidst the emotional days ahead, estate planning Jonathan "Jay" David has assembled a "Survivor's Checklist" of some of the important things that need to be addressed when a spouse or loved one dies.
Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone: A Comprehensive Guide (2024):
Below is a comprehensive guide of resources for older adults living alone, empowering them to thrive independently and access essential services. This guide was created and provided with permission by the National Council on Aging (NCOA).
Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone: A Comprehensive Guide (2024) (ncoa.org)
Elder Organizer Tool:
Foster Swift has created a free ‘Elder Organizer’ digital notebook to provide seniors and their caretakers with a toolkit that helps organize doctors’ appointments, medications, and more that can be shared online. The tools below are also available on the Elder Law Resources page.
*For those trying to access these links by smartphone, it is best practice to copy/open the link in a separate tab and download the free Google Sheets app from Google Play or the Apple Store.
COVID-19 Checklist:
For adult children responsible for their elderly parents and other senior caretakers concerned about protecting loved ones as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, below is a free downloadable checklist of steps to follow to prepare for any possible COVID-19-related illnesses among the most-vulnerable.
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E-book Covers Estate Planning Essentials
Engaging in estate planning, while essential, is often emotional and generates many questions. How do I protect my spouse and my children if something happens to me? What happens if I become disabled before I pass on? Who will take care of my pet after I'm gone? How do I pass my business on to my children? These questions and more are addressed in Jonathan David’s recently updated e-book, “Estate Planning: You Have to Start in Order to Finish.”
Need Help Planning?
For more tools, visit our Elder Law Resource page for additional content. Click here to view/download the Foster Swift estate planning brochure to see what our experienced team of attorneys can do for you.