This short fiction explores a common situation many Central Pennsylvania families face. If you’re in need of elder care assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the Certified Elder Law Attorneys at Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC.
A friend recently went through a difficult family situation that seemed to come out of nowhere.
His mother went on vacation to visit friends, who were all celebrating their 75th birthday. Once she returned, he noticed her behavior was unusual. He expected her to be animated and eager to tell stories of her trip; she instead seemed in a fog. He thought she was just tired from the trip, and at 75 years of age, these celebratory jaunts do take a little more effort than they did in the past.
A few days went by, and still his mom was not herself. He made the decision to take her to the doctor. After a physical and an MRI, doctors discovered his mother had a life-threatening subdural hematoma—bleeding on the brain—and she’d need emergency brain surgery immediately.
Relieved after receiving word her surgery was a success, my friend and his sister had to have a serious conversation about the next hurdle, which would be to determine if their mom could live on her own. They had to deal with questions such as: Will Mom need regular home healthcare? What if she needs a live-in adult to assist her—would that mean one of us? Will she need a nursing home? Will we have to sell her house? How will we afford all of this? Who can help us figure this out?
The person to talk to would be an attorney who specializes in elder law. Elder law encompasses many facets pertaining to the lives of seniors, and seasoned lawyers are well-acquainted with areas such as:
- Claims and appeals to Medicaid or Medicare
- Claims and appeals to Social Security
- Long-term life insurance concerns
- Wills, trusts, and estate planning
- Disability arrangements
- Nursing home standards of care for patients
- Age discrimination with regard to housing and employment
- Elder abuse and neglect
- Health laws, including mental health
- Retirement issues and benefits
Real-life situations like this can surprise anyone with a loved one in their autumn years. Before committing to any major decision, it’s wise to understand all of the options available to you and your family. At Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC, we have over four decades of experience with elder care law in Columbia and Montour counties, and we’d be more than happy to offer you a consultation. Call us today at (570) 784-5211.
