July, 2015, White House Conference On Aging (WHCOA):
The conference addresses a number of issues for seniors, gathering experts on aging from all over the country and from numerous disciplines, but the new federal online resource for seniors caught my eye for my clients. Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at the request of the Obama Administration, its launch was announced at the July, 2015 WHCOA:
Its focus is retirement planning and security, elder justice, long-term care, and “one-stop shopping” for Medicare, and Social Security questions and applications. And, although I think the site could be quite helpful to some, especially those who are new to the rapidly growing senior citizen population, I find the site to be more introductory in nature – helpful on that level, and very convenient to have so much information in one place, but I’m not sure it would be particularly helpful to those who are experiencing complex issues and circumstances. For those seniors and their families, I would suggest consulting an elder law attorney in your area.
Elder Law attorneys focus their practice on planning for and dealing with the issues that arise as we age. Some of those areas include, but are not limited to:
- financial issues, including estate planning, housing, and eligibility/application for public assistance for long-term care needs;
- incapacity issues, including preparing for and dealing with important agency (agent) assignments for health care and financial decisions through documentation, or guardianship and/or conservatorship;
- elder justice issues, such as exploitation and abuse of vulnerable adults;
- family mediation for difficult conversations and decisions;
- end-of-life law and policy.
This blog is written by Bridget-Michaele Reischl, Attorney
DECORO LAW OFFICE, PLLC
ALL READERS:
This blog is not, nor shall it be deemed to be, legal advice or counsel. This blog does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader. It is designed to encourage thoughtful consideration of important legal issues with the expectation that readers will seek professional advice from a licensed attorney.
Contact Bridget-Michaele Reischl at:
DECORO LAW OFFICE, PLLC
6 West 5th Street, Suite 800-D
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651)-321-3058
bridget@decorolaw.com