The Five Wishes

For far too long, we've been discussing the process of dying in whispers, behind closed doors - and often without the person who's dying!

I believe this cheats the patient of the chance to express her wishes. It cheats the family of the opportunity to know their loved one's wishes, so they don't have to guess. And it cheats both parties out of a chance to spend precious family time together.

Now, though, there's a much easier way to have this discussion.

It's a living will called "The Five Wishes." It's written in plain English - not legalese. It gives you the opportunity to express personal and spiritual wishes in addition to medical ones. It ensures your caretaker will know your wishes. And it gives your family peace of mind, knowing they won't have to make decisions - or guesses - as to what you'd want.

Five Wishes tells your family, your doctor, and your caregiver...

* Who you'd like to make healthcare decisions for you if you can no longer make them.

* What types of medical treatment you want - or don't want.

* How comfortable you want to be.

* How you want people to treat you.

* What you want your loved ones to know.

The document meets all legal requirements in 42 states - including Florida.

At www.agingwithdignity.org, they'll walk you through it step-by-step. And at The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates, we can do the same thing.

This isn't a pleasant discussion for any family. But we'll walk you and your family through it. So your wishes are adhered to. And so they'll know what you want.

At The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates, we've been walking South Florida families through this process for 34 years. And we've walked them through financial issues as well as medical ones, with comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning, asset-protection plans, and assistance with Medicaid and the VA.

We can walk your family through it, too. And we're just a phone call away.

Obamacare - Today's The Day

Starting today, more than 35 million uninsured Americans can enroll in affordable health insurance. No one will be turned away for having a pre-existing condition. And most people who don't have insurance today will be able to pay $100 or less per month for coverage.

Even if you're already covered, make sure everyone you know signs up for health insurance. (You never know which of your friends might not be insured.)

Beginning in January, all Americans are required under the law to have health insurance or face a fine. Next year, that penalty will be $95 per uninsured adult or 1 percent of taxable household income, whichever is greater. But the penalties climb every year. By 2016, fines for not having coverage would be $695 per adult, or 2.5 percent of income (again, whichever is greater and capped at $2,085 per household).

Prices for health plans offered under Obamacare are expected to be published today at Healthcare.gov. The federal government recently forecast that a basic health plan for a 40-year-old earning $50,000 per year will run $328 per month. Premiums will vary not only based the kind of health plan people choose, but also on their state of residence and even the city they live in. In New York for instance, that 40-year-old cited above would pay $416 a month for a mid-tier plan. But in upstate Ithaca, where fewer health insurers are available, the same coverage would cost $446 per month, a difference of $372 per year.

People also qualify for free or lower-cost coverage through Medicaid, with some states expanding eligibility for the government program next year, or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

In Florida, the 11 exchanges "companies" offering plans are listed below:

1. Aetna Life Insurance Co.
2. Florida Blue (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida)
3. Cigna Health & Life Insurance Co.
4. Coventry Health Care of Florida Inc.
5. Florida Health Care Plan Inc.
6. Health First Insurance Company
7. Health Options Inc.
8. Humana Inc.
9. Molina Healthcare of Florida Inc.
10. Preferred Medical Plan
11. Sunshine State Health Plan Inc.

For more information, please visit Healthcare.gov

One thing to remember: Private health insurers, not the government, will decide what plans to offer and set the rates.

What Are The Most Important Retirement Issues Facing Boomers and Seniors? - Part 2

I tell clients that retirement is one of the most important challenges they'll face. And they have questions. How are we going to make it in retirement? How are we going to address health issues? Financial issues?

Well, for many of us, it isn't going to be with retirement savings - because most of us don't have enough. We haven't planned adequately. And we all know that those who fail to plan...

Here are more issues facing Boomers and seniors about retirement...

* Social Security isn't yet "broken" - but it's on the way. And if you're planning on living on it...good luck! Current estimates say the program can pay all benefits for the next 25 years or so. But all bets are off after that.

* When should you begin taking Social Security? This is the $64,000 (or, for many of us, much larger!) question. For people in good health, the best answer is usually to wait...if they can. Taking benefits at 62 means a 25% hit in what you'd get if you waited until 66. And delaying benefits when you're 66 will raise them by 8 percent a year until age 70. The longer you can hold out, the better.

* Inflation: Overall, inflation is still low, despite increases in energy and food prices. But if the economy continues to recover, we can probably expect some serious inflation. And retirees - more than any other demographic - have to plan for this.

Planning for a successful retirement is like wrestling with an octopus. Just when you think you've got the beast subdued, another tentacle pops up. But we can help.

At the Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates, we've been helping South Florida families deal with retirement questions for the past 34 years. And we've given them concrete methods of securing their retirements, with comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning, asset-protection plans, and assistance with Medicaid or the VA.

Retirement security is a tough goal to achieve. But we can you get there. And we're just a phone call away.

I Recently Moved My Dad Far From Home, To Live With Us. How Can I Help Him Adapt?

Changes in routine can be very difficult for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s. And a forced move certainly qualifies as a change in routine. So you have to allow your father time.

 

Allow him to express his feelings – and listen to him. He has concerns which need to be addressed. He has feelings that need to be validated. He needs you to recognize that he’s dealing with true grief…and that he’s losing more of himself every day.

Trying to reason with him may be fruitless, and may cause him more agitation. But when he asks why, you might respond – calmly – “Dad, I know this has been hard for you. But I love you, and I wanted you close to me.”

Some other things you can try:

• Give him a photo album to look at, with photos of family and friends, vacations, and other pleasant memories. This often has a calming effect.
• Allow him to bring any personal items into his room.
• Introduce him to your neighbors and friends.
• If he can still write, give him a journal, and encourage him to express his feelings in it.
• He might benefit from a support group. Contact your local Alzheimer’s Association.
• If nothing else works, give him the opportunity to speak with clergy or a professional counselor.

Your Dad will need plenty of attention, reassurance, and validation. Keep telling him that you love him, you love having him with you, and you’ll always look out for him. Tell him how well he’s doing. And include him in family decisions when possible.

If you’re caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you’ve got a long and rocky road ahead of you. But we can help you navigate it.

At the Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates, we practice Elder Law – and only Elder Law. Over the past 33 years, we’ve walked thousands of South Florida families through the Dementia Journey. And we’ve helped them prepare for this journey, as well…with comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning, asset- protection plans, and assistance with Medicaid or the VA.

We know every step of the Dementia Journey. And we’ll get you through it. We’re just a phone call away.