A great many people were born between 1946 and 1964. This phenomenon is referred to as the “baby boom.”
These people are entering their senior years now. As a result, the population is aging. Somewhere in the vicinity of 10,000 people are applying for Social Security every day, and this will continue for years into the future.
Elder law is the segment of the legal field that is focused on matters that are of interest to senior citizens. Because of the aging of the baby boomers, the elder law field is very important right now.
Elder Law Issues
There are currently some very pressing elder law issues. Long-term care is at the top of the list.
Most people who are entering their senior years will someday need help with their day-to-day activities. Some will reside in nursing homes and assisted living communities, and others will be able to receive the help that they need at home.
Medicare does not pay for long-term care, and this presents a problem, because long-term care is very expensive.
Elder law attorneys help seniors who are concerned about long-term care costs. Medicaid is a government health insurance program that will pay for long-term care, but there are income and asset limits.
If you take the right steps, you can get assets out of your own name before you apply for Medicaid. Your resources can stay in the family, and you can use Medicaid to pay for the long-term care that you need.
However, Medicaid rules are complex, so you must plan ahead in an intelligent and informed manner. This is best accomplished with the assistance of an elder law attorney.
Long-term care is just one of the numerous different elder law matters that you should be aware of when you are looking ahead toward the future.
Finding an Elder Law Attorney
If you want to discuss the eventualities of aging with an elder law attorney, you may want to identify a law firm that is a member of a respected professional organization.
Most elder law attorneys also focus on estate planning. The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys is a national organization that is devoted to elder law education. This body has been around for over 20 years, and it is highly respected.
You can search the Academy’s database to find an elder law attorney who is a member in good standing. If you use the Academy as a barometer, you can find a licensed attorney in your area who can answer your elder law questions.
Elder Law Consultation
We are Academy members, and we would be glad to assist you if you would like to consult with an elder law attorney. Contact us through this page to set up an appointment: Northern Kentucky Elder Law Attorneys.
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