Advice From A Certified Elder Law Attorney

Beyond Legal Advice The second issue conElder law attorneys cerns those caring for Alzbring a different perspecheimer’s patients or any tive to the delivery of servpatient with a chronic disices to their clients, states ability. A 1999 study in the The National Elder Law Foundation. As an elder The Journal of the Amerilaw specialist, I cannot discan Medical Association pense legal advice in a vacfound that people ages 66 uum. My client and I must to 96 caring for a spouse always consider his wider who experience caregivingJoseph S. Karp, f a m i l y, f i n a n c i a l a n d related stress, have a 63% C.E.L.A. health issues. So this higher mortality rate than month, I’d like to offer suggestions non-caregivers of the same age. If on two very important life issues you’re a caregiver, you need to take which, though not legal issues per care of yourself as best you can! Carese, often have a great impact on my giving increases stress, weakens the clients’ welfare and in turn, their leimmune system and makes you more gal needs. vulnerable to disease. The first issue is the importance of Many of my clients say, My spouse avoiding falls. Use whatever walking will go into a nursing home over my aides you need! According to the U.S. dead body. Unfortunately, that is ofDepartment of Health and Human Serten exactly what occurs. I am certainvices, in 2004 there were 26,904 ly not suggesting we abandon our disabled spouses whom we love dearly; The second issue concerns everyone wants to keep his or her those caring for Alzheimer’s spouse home if at all possible. What I am suggesting is that caregivers must patients or any patient with make decisions based on the welfare a chronic disability. of everyone in their families—including themselves. If you get sick or die, deaths due to injury among people 75 you won’t be able to care for your and older. Of these, 12,644—nearly spouse in any event. And you may end 50%—were caused by falls. These up placing additional burdens on your figures do not even include the falls children, who will have to care not that led to permanent disability and only for your spouse but for you, too. nursing home stays, with all the Listen to Joe Karp with attendant legal, financial, emotional Anita Finley on Saturday, and familial trauma that ensue. I know June 14 from 7:30-8:00 AM of one recent case where an older man on WSBR 740AM and on the fell when he did not use his cane. He Internet at www.wsbrradio.com. was uninjured...but his wife was not so lucky: When he fell he knocked her Joseph S. Karp is a nationally certified over, causing her hip to break. She and Florida Bar-certified elder law attorney needed surgery and had to spend time (C.E.L.A.) specializing in the practice of Trusts, Estates and Elder Law. His offices are locatin a rehab center. ed at 2500 Quantum Lakes Drive, Boynton No one wants to rely on devices like Beach; 2875 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Garcanes and walkers. But as the above dens; and 1100 SW St. Lucie W. Blvd., Port numbers illustrate, it’s critical to get St. Lucie. Call him at 561-752-4550 (Boynpast whatever vanity or stubbornness ton); 561-625-1100 (Palm Beach Gardens); or 772-343-8411 (Port St. Lucie). Toll-free prevents you from doing the right thing from anywhere: 800-893-9911. E-mail: KLF@ for yourself and your family.

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