Unfortunately, people do not tend to “grow out of” mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, as they become older.  In fact, mental health problems may be exacerbated by physical conditions, such as chronic pain, hearing and vision loss, and reduced mobility.  Aging can be stressful and challenging even for relatively healthy older adults, because familial social supports and contexts often change as life-long friends pass away and move to warmer climates or retirement communities.  It’s important for family members to be on the lookout for signs of depression, including lack of appetite and excessive sleepiness.  Below is a link…
Continue Reading Seniors and Suicide

Every year older adults have the opportunity to change their supplemental Medicare plans or purchase supplemental Medicare coverage beginning at about October 15, through December 7.  It’s important to make sure your supplemental Medicare plan meet your needs, as plan coverage changes.  For example, your current plan may have ended affiliations with your favorite doctors or preferred acute care hospital.  In addition, you may be surprised to learn that your plan does not provide good coverage for rehabilitation stays, after acute care.   This means that you may be pushed out of rehab too early, because the facility is more worried…
Continue Reading Don’t Miss Medicare Open Enrollment!!

Don’t try Medicaid planning on your own – its a difficult puzzle!
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To get Medicaid planning done right you need help from an attorney – it’s far too complex and easy to make a mistake that could cost your family a small fortune. But it makes good sense to read up on Medicaid planning before you meet with an attorney, so you know what questions to ask. At this link is a nice article reviewing attorney Gabriel Heiser’s book “Medicaid Planning Secrets” which is available on Amazon for a reasonable price. Gabriel is now retired…
Continue Reading Reading List for Long- Term Care Planning

A recent study found evidence of increased herpes virus cells in brains affected with Alzheimer’s. Preciously, the formation of excess plaque in the brain had bern the focus of research into the causes of Alzheimer’s. It’s good to see that medical doctors are keeping their minds open and exploring new research opportunities in the fight to cure Alzheimer’s. Read more here:
www.vosizneias.com/300182/2018/06/21/washington-new-evidence-that-viruses-may-play-a-role-in-alzheimers/
Continue Reading New Evidence Viruses May Play A Role In Alzheimer’s

The week started out busy with a fantastic experience speaking with seniors by invitation of the Skokie Police Department.  It was my first ever power point presentation, and it was very well-received by about 30 people.  The audience asked some great questions about the benefits of having trusts, the need to have a will, tenancy by the entireties, long-term care insurance, and the sky high costs of nursing homes and long-term care.   Now in Orlando, Florida at the American Bar Association Spring Symposia for estate planning, where I will be speaking on elder law and ethical issues.
Continue Reading Edelson Law Speaking Engagements

The legendary musician Prince died of a drug overdose in 2016 and his 6 heirs are still battling it out, while banks and lawyers make millions. Because Prince’s estate is filled with unique assets (rights to his music catalogue) there are complex valuation issues that having an estate plan may not have avoided. But, there is no way to ensure that your last wishes are carried out unless you take the time to meet with an attorney and plan your estate. I like to think of it as an act of kindness for your loved ones and even a part…
Continue Reading A Celebrity Case Shows Why You Need a Will

Illinois Federal Judge, Joan B. Gottschall
In what is likely the most important Illinois civil rights case in over 40 years, Judge Joan B. Gottschall made the right call in her ground-breaking opinion in Koss v. Norwood (Case No. 17 C2762).   This case is important because it shows that ordinary people have the power to fight back against the abuses of a state government bureaucracy  that has consistently been downright hostile to the rights of our elderly, for desperately needed medical care in skilled nursing homes.
The opinion mandates that the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), which runs the Illinois…
Continue Reading Huge Medicaid Civil Rights Win for Illinois Seniors

The great thing about practicing law is that I get to learn something new practically every day. Chicago is a city with notoriously high taxes, but here is a bit a relief you may not have heard about. This was certainly news to me! Seniors age 65 and older who live in homes with separately metered water can save $50 per year by applying for the sewer fee waiver at link below. $50 per year adds up and could even be enough to cover the bag tax!! What will they think of next!!
www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/fin/supp_info/revenue/senior_citizen_sewerservicechargeexemption.html
Continue Reading City of Chicago Senior Sewer Charge Waiver