Family

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Quiz: Can my loved one stay at home alone safely?

1-18-12- Quiz: Can my loved one stay home alone safely?

Though it can be emotionally difficult, it is important to assess whether your aging parent has reached a point where they are not safe to be home alone.  A Geriatric Care Manager can make this process easier for you, and may provide a variety of solutions to keep your loved one independent as long as possible. If you feel your loved one is no longer safe alone, take action immediately, and call an Elder Law Attorney and/or certified Geriatric Care Manager.  Use these professionals as a network of experts in order to obtain the best care possible for your loved one.

Some questions to guide your discussion:

Quiz- Can My Loved One Stay at Home Alone?

True or False

• My loved one is able to safely prepare nutritious meals.
• My loved one eats and drinks well without supervision.
• My loved one is steady on his or her feet.
• My loved one is able to get in and out of the shower or tub safely.
• My loved one keeps himself or herself clean.
• My loved one can get dressed without assistance.
• My loved one can get to the bathroom as necessary.
• My loved one has interests and friends to keep life interesting.
• My loved one is cautious with the stove, candles, irons, and other sources of heat.
• My loved one is not likely to fall asleep while smoking.
• My loved one does not have to navigate stairs, or if he or she does, it can be done safely.
• My loved one can call someone if the need arises who can be there within a short time.
• My loved one has access to transportation to the grocery store, pharmacy, doctor and dentist appointments, and social occasions.
• I feel at ease during the day and sleep well at night knowing that my loved one is home alone.

As you answer each question, consider their impact on the overall health and wellbeing of your loved one. The more questions answered "False" indicates a higher probability that your loved one needs extra care and supervision. For some, an Adult Day Care Program will be sufficient, but others may need professional care provided by an Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home.  If you have concerns, reach out to an Elder Care professional. You do not need to go through this alone!

Content gathered from <http://public.findlaw.com/elder/le25_8quiz.html>

Thursday, January 12, 2012

What does the MUPC mean for you?

Massachusetts finally has an entire new set of probate laws after twenty years of debate. The Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (MUPC) was signed into law on January 15, 2009 and is intended to bring significant changes to the probate process and important reforms to probate procedure.  The MUPC was supposed to go into effect on January 2, 2012, but has recently been pushed back to March 31, 2012 to allow the legislature to make technical amendments and to help the court system, which is currently understaffed, prepare and make way for the myriad of changes the new Probate Laws will have on the courts’ administrative processes and forms.

The MUPC improves the process for administering probate. Probate is the process of gathering a deceased person's assets, paying all their debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property pursuant to the instructions left in the decedent's will. The changes would allow for a streamlined probate administration process, saving lawyer's time and ultimately saving money for the family of the decedent. Additionally, citizens will be able to choose how much judicial oversight they want during probate administration; simple, uncontested estates will be able to complete the process fairly quickly, and even as estates become more complicated, the families can choose the level of control they want to give to the courts.

If you or someone you know is the executor of an estate, or is a named "personal representative" in a will, it is best to seek the assistance of an attorney during this transition period-- even the courts need more time to prepare for the switch to the new MUPC.

For more information, the two following Massachusetts Lawyers Journal articles provide a general overview of the changes. Please be advised, they are, unfortunately, written by lawyers, for lawyers.

http://massbar.org/publications/lawyers-journal/2011/november/overview-of-the-massachusetts-uniform-probate-code,-part-1

http://massbar.org/publications/lawyers-journal/2011/december/overview-of-the-massachusetts-uniform-probate-code,-part-2-(1)

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

1 Simple Act that Will Improve Your Life

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays; not only is it a day off from work to feast, but we are surrounded by family.  The house is cozy with delicious smells, conversations and laughter-- and everyone is simply enjoying where they are and who they are with.  Thanksgiving is the holiday that inspires thankfulness, which, it turns out, is a very good thing.  A recent New York Times article, "A Serving of Gratitude May Save the Day" details how being thankful can be emotionally, socially, and even physically beneficial. Please enjoy this easy read and share it with your families. Hopefully, it will put everyone in the spirit of saying "Thank you," even after tomorrow's pie is eaten. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

With Love and a sincere "Thank You,"

Jerrica and Julie

The Law Office of Julie Low