Medicaid rules usually penalize gifts of any property to an applicant’s children during the five-year look-back period. But there are some exceptions that allow a Medicaid applicant or recipient to give away the personal residence to a son or daughter with no penalty....
Mary, a widow, lives alone in the home she has owned for 52 years. She can cook, clean the house, and care for herself. But she no longer drives because of failing eyesight, and there are no stores within walking distance. Mary wants to stay in her home as long as...
A special needs trust holds assets (usually funds) for the benefit of a disabled person without affecting any public benefits the person may receive, such as SSI or Medicaid. Those assets can then be used for the disabled person’s benefit. Current law allows a...
As our population ages, there are new services available to help families cope and make prudent decisions about an aging loved one. Caring for a senior can rapidly become complex and overwhelming. Having one person manage multiple concerns and issues can stretch...
Since 1987, the federal Nursing Home Reform Act has provided a number of important protections for residents of skilled nursing facilities. A few of these are: Freedom from restraints. The act provides prohibits the use of “physical or chemical restraints...
(2010) Local caregivers can find support, advice, and caregiving tips in the Caregiver Champions Program, a free program sponsored by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation. The Caregiver Champions Program consists of a series of six, two-hour sessions, called Learning...
The founder of Sykes Elder Law, Andrew Sykes is recognized as a leading elder law authority in Pennsylvania. He is a Certified Elder Law Attorney with over 20 years of experience helping clients with estate planning, estate administration, and Medicaid planning.