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Elder law is a growing practice and encompasses numerous other legal disciplines given the unique needs of an aging population. The baby boom generation that arose after World War II, ranging from the years 1946 to 1964, is the largest demographic group in the US. In 2011, the first boomers reached age 65 and now account for some 78 million people, a figure that will double by 2020.
There are certain trends that have become evident in a population with a sizeable number of elder citizens. As we age, our needs become more varied. Assisted living or elder care becomes a concern as does providing for retirement, increased health demands, and other issues. These often require the services of an experienced elder care lawyer such as Patricia Bloom-McDonald whose office serves the idyllic, rural community of Rehoboth, and the surrounding communities of the south coast of Massachusetts, where a number of our state senior citizens reside and who is sensitive to Rehoboth elder law issues.
What is Elder Law?
Elder law includes those legal areas that touch upon a senior citizen’s needs, whether they are financial, emotional, physical or medical. Elders are among our society’s most vulnerable citizens, being prone to financial fraud, physical abuse and discrimination. An elder law attorney can assist these individuals by holding parties responsible for abuse or fraud, ensure that the elder’s finances and health care benefits are protected, provide for guardianship or conservatorship if needed and see that their estates are easily passed on with minimal tax implications.
Our elder population is growing as people live longer but many of these individuals did not have children or other family to help support them once they are no longer able to work and may lack any kind of retirement benefits other than Social Security or Medicare. For these individuals, public benefits and programs are essential if they are to survive in a meaningful way.
Elder Law Issues
Some of the legal topics that an elder law attorney often deal with include:
- Estate planning . This includes wills, trusts and other legal instruments as well as handling probate matters. A Last Will and Testament allows you to have your assets passed to certain parties; an Affidavit for funeral arrangements should also be prepared. It is very important to have a health care directive regarding your wishes on life support measures. Trusts can avoid probate and provide for special needs children or adults. Tax planning is a part of this area as well.
- Guardianship or Conservatorship . If you are no longer capable of caring for yourself or in making financial decisions, you will want a trusted person to assist you through the preparation and use of a Durable power of Attorney document.
- Entitlement programs. Knowing what programs are available or how to apply can make your life more secure and give you access to certain benefits of which you may not have been aware.
- Many seniors become disabled because of health conditions leading to blindness, paralysis or dementia. An elder law attorney can assist you or your family in assisting you in finding elder care facilities to meet you or your loved one’s specific condition.
Rehoboth elder law issues are similar to those found in any community in Massachusetts. If you live in Rehoboth, or any other nearby community, contact Patricia Bloom-McDonald for yourself or a loved one for a consultation regarding your concerns or needs regarding these or any other elder law issues.