On behalf of Stephanie Townsend Allala and Associates posted in Medicaid Planning on Tuesday, May 21, 2013
As most Texans will agree, it seems to be getting harder and harder to protect our elderly loved ones from being victimized by the very people who are supposed to be helping them. From scams that rob them of their life's savings and force them into bankruptcy, to abuse to that occurs in nursing homes across the state, that these violations of the law can sometimes be hard to catch--especially if they aren't reported.
Such was the case for one doctor in Missouri earlier this month who started receiving faxes from a medical supply company that needed her to authorize a back brace for a patient so that the supplier could charge Medicare for the cost. But after speaking with the patient, she learned that the 92-year-old woman was being harassed by the supplier and didn't want or need the brace.
On behalf of Stephanie Townsend Allala and Associates posted in Estate Planning on Friday, May 17, 2013
As Texas residents age, they generally expected that their loved ones will look out for their best interests and generally take care of them as old age gives way to ailments and mobility issues. But rarely do they expect that their loved ones will take advantage of them--especially not their own children.
But this was exactly the case for a 91-year-old Ohio man who is asking for the public's help to prevent his daughter from evicting him from his own home. It's a perfect example of what happens when a loved one takes advantage of being granted power of attorney.
On behalf of Stephanie Townsend Allala and Associates posted in Nursing Home Abuse on Thursday, May 9, 2013
In the early 2000s, many legislators across the nation became particularly concerned about the increasing number of cases of nursing home abuse that were cropping up across the country. States began considering the very real possibility of passing legislation that would allow the use of surveillance devices to help prevent this abuse from occurring and hopefully hold those found guilty responsible for their actions. In 2001, Texas became the first state to enforce such laws. Now known as 'granny cam' laws, it's a useful preventative tool that other states have been slow to adopt.
But while incredibly useful, they can also be incredibly risky if not installed per the state's laws. As a disturbing nursing home abuse case out of South Carolina points out, video surveillance must walk a fine line between protecting elderly people from harm and not violating an employee's privacy at the same time.
On behalf of Stephanie Townsend Allala and Associates posted in Medicaid Planning on Friday, May 3, 2013
Although growing older is a fact of life for all people in Texas, and around the world for that matter, most people hope that they will not be among those who develop serious illnesses and diseases as they age. While this is their hope, the reality is that they have a good chance of developing ailments that will require medical attention as they climb in years.
Such was the worry for singer Amy Grant when her parents began to age. The question of how to take care of them soon needed immediate attention when both her mother and father began developing dementia. As she spoke to reporters recently, she talked about understanding the effects of aging on mental health and the importance of having a long-term care plan for your loved ones.
On behalf of Stephanie Townsend Allala and Associates posted in Nursing Home Abuse on Thursday, April 25, 2013
There is no doubt in the minds of most Texans that the risk for developing Parkinson's disease increases as you age. And with the elderly population on the rise in cities across the state, the number of people suffering from the disease could spike over the next few years.
But as some doctors are saying, the fear should not be about the disease but rather how health facilities are handling patients who have this disease. With Parkinson's disease, medications used to replace dopamine in the brain need to be taken at specific times throughout the day. Failing to do so can lead to serious, sometimes even fatal results, and it's negligence such as this that some doctors are saying is happening in nursing homes and healthcare facilities across the nation more and more.
On behalf of Stephanie Townsend Allala and Associates posted in Trust & Probate Administration on Monday, April 15, 2013
If you ask most attorneys about granting power of attorney, they will more often than not tell you to do so before you become unable to make decisions for yourself. This is especially true in cases of dementia where, as the disease progresses, it becomes harder and harder to tell whether the decisions that are being made by an ailing person are truly the wishes they would have if they were in the right frame of mind.
Giving away power of attorney to the wrong person is not only a fear that many elderly people here in Texas have, but is shared with thousands more people across the entire nation. Having family members to pass off responsibility to is often the best way to protect yourself, but in some cases this may not be an option which could leave you unprotected against would-be thieves who prey on the vulnerability of elderly people.
On behalf of Stephanie Townsend Allala and Associates posted in Medicaid Planning on Friday, April 12, 2013
The topic of doctor-assisted suicide was thought to have ended along with the Dr. Kevorkian trial in the 1990s. But with the increased number of elderly people and the fear of Alzheimer's on the rise, the topic has found resurgence in the thousands of baby boomers nearing retirement age. Legislators from across the country have been hearing pleas recently from senior citizens lobbying for laws that would allow for doctor-assisted dying. And it appears to be catching on.
Five states are already considering doctor-assisted dying legislation, while two states, Washington and Oregon, already have bills that allow doctors to prescribe legal drugs to patients who have less than six months to live and are considered to have made the decision of death with a sound mind.
On behalf of Stephanie Townsend Allala and Associates posted in Estate Planning on Friday, April 5, 2013
As the generation of baby boomers moves closer and closer to retirement age, the general sentiment is that of "we finally made it!" And while the general public and the media are focusing their attention on medical costs and how retirees should prepare for that, little attention is being paid to a just as equally important part of the retirement process: estate planning.
While most people just want to think about the enormous amounts of relaxation time they will have on their hands when they retire, many financial experts agree that this is the perfect time to start thinking about what will happen to your assets when you die.
On behalf of Stephanie Townsend Allala and Associates posted in Nursing Home Abuse on Friday, March 29, 2013
When looking for a nursing home or assisted living community for our aging loved ones, it's often times difficult to know which facilities are going to offer the high standard of care we expect. This is especially true when it comes to the workforce employed at these facilities across the state of Texas. We expect that the staff is not only well trained, but has been properly screened by the nursing home or care facility, to make sure that no harm comes to the elderly patients who reside there.
But despite many facilities' best efforts, sometimes bad people slip past the screening process which can put elderly patients in more harm's way and create situations of nursing home abuse as well.
On behalf of Stephanie Townsend Allala and Associates posted in Medicaid Planning on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Long-term medical care is often covered by Medicaid benefits. Guardianship may also be necessary when elderly patients are unable to care for themselves. Texas is currently considering the expansion of Medicaid, which could affect Medicaid planning in the state.
A health care rally took place at the Texas Capitol on Feb. 20. It included politicians, interfaith groups and social organizations that favor expanding the role of Medicaid in providing health care for the poor. There has been much debate over the years about whether or not Medicaid expansion is best for the citizens of Texas.
