A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that permits an agent to make certain decisions on behalf of someone else, particularly should that person become incapacitated. The decision-making party is referred to as the agent. The types of decision-making...
Elder Law
Why Californians need an advance health care directive and agent
Even if you’re not ready to put a comprehensive estate plan in place, every Californian who’s at least 18 should have a California Advance Health Care Directive. This document allows you to designate your wishes for health care, including end-of-life care, if you’re...
When does a power of attorney take effect?
A power of attorney is a document that you can add to your estate plan. It’s used to authorize other people to make your decisions. There are many legal, financial and medical decisions that only you can make for yourself, so someone else needs to be authorized in...
Can you keep your own doctor with Medi-Cal?
Whether you are looking into Medi-Cal for yourself or for a loved one who may need access to the benefits, you may have some big questions – not the least of which is how the Medi-Cal program will affect your quality of care. For most people, the number one concern is...
Elder financial abuse is more common than you think: Be ready
When your mom or dad is in long-term care, it is imperative that you take steps to protect them against financial abuse. Elders are at a particularly high risk of financial abuse because they may not be in a position to check their accounts or have the mental capacity...
Why older adults need to plan before applying for Medi-Cal
Medicare is the federal insurance program that applies to adults over the retirement age. Once you turn 65, you can typically rely on Medicare for standard medical support. Those who need exceptional levels of medical care may find that Medicare is not sufficient....
What is elder incapacity? How does it affect my parent?
Parents are supposed to be the people who provide for their children. However, as your parents age, they sometimes lose the ability to care for themselves, make sound judgements and complete day-to-day tasks. The term for this is elder incapacity, and it can affect...