Showing 36 posts by Matthew S. Fedor.
Medicaid Planning and Senior Scams
Medicaid planning is a hot topic among seniors and their families. Foster Swift attorneys Matt Fedor and Nic Camargo offer an excellent overview of what Medicaid planning is, key considerations before developing a plan and how to formulate and implement a plan in their National Elder Law Month Video "What I should Know About Medicaid Planning."
Scams directed toward seniors sadly remain another hot topic. Even during the COVID-19 crisis, it's unfortunately common to watch the news and see a heart-breaking story about a senior who has been targeted by a criminal. While many of these crimes are not violent, they rob our senior friends of their funds, their property and often most hurtfully, their dignity. Foster Swift's article on "How to Spot the Red Flags of Financial Elder Abuse" is a good refresher for all of us, young, old, and in between, on how to keep the seniors in our lives safe.
Categories: Elder Law, Fraud & Abuse, Medicaid Planning, Senior Exploitation & Abuse
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What is National Elder Law Month? - A legacy to caring and planning
National Elder Law month traces its history to 1963 when President John F. Kennedy issued Proclamation 3527, declaring the month of May "Senior Citizens Month" and proclaiming that all "informational and educational means should be used" to pave the way for older Americans to have equal opportunities and lead "useful and satisfying lives." In 1980, President Carter changed the name to "Older Americans Month" and in 1988 with a focus on improving the quality of legal services provided to people as they age, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys established May as "National Elder Law Month."
In keeping with the spirit behind National Elder Law Month, Foster Swift attorneys Matt Fedor and Nic Camargo have prepared articles and videos to help you and your family navigate the elder law landscape.
The first video, "What is Elder Law Planning", is a great starting point and a helpful reminder that elder law is much more than estate planning. We also encourage you to check out Foster Swift's Elder Law Resource Page here and you can also access attorney Jay David's book Estate Planning: You Have to Start in Order to Finish.
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
COVID-19 Pandemic Creates a Renewed Urgency for Elder Law Planning
Planning for the future is often challenging, with so many "what ifs" to consider. As the news is filled with COVID-19 stories, many individuals are wishing they had not put off elder law planning, particularly estate planning. That said, there is no time like the present. In the video COVID-19 and Elder Law Planning, attorneys Matt Fedor and Nic Camargo provide a practical framework on how to get started. For adult children needing to help senior parents plan, the article "Caring for Aging Parents" is a good starting point.
One of the most important things to remember when planning is that every person's needs are different and each plan needs to be customized; that's why it's important to select an attorney with elder law experience. Both Fedor and Camargo are members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and have helped many seniors develop and implement plans that ensure their end of life wishes are honored.
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments Designed to Protect Seniors in Michigan
Various programs have recently been enacted in Michigan for the purpose of preventing and/or minimizing some of the challenges facing seniors in an effort to help them maintain a high quality of life. Read More ›
Categories: Did you Know?, Elder Law, Retirement, Senior Exploitation & Abuse
Estate Planning Awareness Week
October 21-27, 2019 is National Estate Planning Awareness week, which was originally adopted in 2008 with the intention of educating the public on what estate planning is and why it is vital for financial well-being and peace of mind. According to the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC), estate planning is an often overlooked necessity and it is estimated that over half (56%) of Americans do not have an up-to-date estate plan. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
Can I be paid for taking care of my elderly parents?
As parents age and require more assistance, the adult children who care for them may find themselves in a complicated predicament. Read More ›
Categories: Did you Know?, Elder Law
Three Common Myths about Medicaid
In the state of Michigan, nearly 2.5 million people are provided health care under Medicaid. This includes low-income adults, children, senior citizens and people with disabilities that depend on the federal and state program for access to health care as well as long-term services which include basic life functions such as meal prep, bathing/dressing and administering medication. For those not familiar with the eligibility aspects of Medicaid, click here to view the video “An Introduction to Medicaid.” Read More ›
Categories: Did you Know?, Elder Law, Long-Term Care, Medicaid Planning
Worried about the Future? Here's what you need to do now
The problems that seniors face can erupt suddenly from out of nowhere or can start small and grow more serious over time. A crisis can occur when a senior family member is diagnosed with dementia, has a chronic illness or is admitted to a nursing home. Often after the crisis has already occurred is when the end-of-life documents are pulled out of the drawer and the family calls an elder law or estate planning attorney for help. Read More ›
Categories: Did you Know?, Elder Law, Estate Planning
Recognizing and Living with Alzheimer’s
It is true that as we all age, our minds are not as sharp as they once were. We tend to forget minor things like where we put our keys or what level of a parking garage that we parked our car on. There is however a major difference in having small memory lapses, which even the most keen minds will have from time to time, and having a brain disease such as Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Read More ›
Categories: Dementia & Alzheimer's, Elder Law
Helping my Aging Parents Pay for Care
Your parents may reach a point where they can no longer live on their own. Not only that, but as we age, the costs of living increase as we seek more and more complicated medical care. Read More ›
Categories: Elder Law, Financing, Financing Long-term Care, Medicare/Medicaid
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.