Aging and Legal Issues

As the child of an aging parent, it may feel like you
are in this all by yourself.

I want you to know that   "No, –  you are NOT alone!"
 

My children were adolescents when my parents began to have health problems.  My father eventually died of a stroke-like disease process that came upon him suddenly.  And at the same time, my mother began a 12 year descent into the abyss of Alzheimer’s that ended with her death ten years after my Dad.  As an “only child” it was a difficult and trying decade – and I felt VERY “alone” – and most of this time was spent “in crisis mode”.   

My questions were endless – and complicated.  “How could I care for my parents and my young children at the same time?”  “Do they have documents that give me legal authority to act for them?”  “Where can I get help?”  “What kind of help is available?”  “What if my mother begins to wander?”  “Can I care for my parents in their own home?”  “How do we make a decision between in-home care and facility care?”  “How is long term care paid for?”  

My parents had the two most frequent problems that confront the modern extended family – how to cope with a parent’s devastating physical health problem (stroke) and how to resolve the issues inherent with dementia – the slow, steady evaporation of a person’s reasoning, memory, judgment and personality.  

Having this experience eventually prompted me to make a career change — from social work to law.  I discovered ways to not only help my parents, but to help others as well.  My background was in geriatric health and mental health services anyway – the transition to Elder Law was a natural one for me.  I’ve now helped hundreds of families come to grips with the aging process and what they need to do to prepare for it.   

In these pages you will find…

… Resources on aging for yourself or loved ones

… Tips on handling change

… Our Blog pages with expert opinions and advice

… Someone to contact with your questions