Elder Law

North Fulton, Georgia, Elder Law Attorney

Elder Law covers a wide variety of legal issues that affect the elderly, including Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Age Discrimination and Long Term Care. The Law Office of Peter Casey concentrates their Elder Law practice to Long Term Care Planning. If an individual can no longer live independently, that is, if assistance is required to perform the activities of daily living such as eating, dressing and personal hygiene, that persons' needs must be met by long term care. Long term care is usually provided by an assisted living facility, skilled nursing homes, and, increasingly, members of the family. While in many instances where the individual receives care is determined by the person's medical condition. If the person requires frequent medical attention, then a nursing facility may be necessary. However, if the medical condition is not serious, then home services, adult day care, or assisted living may be appropriate. Sadly, however, financial considerations are a major concern and often make the decision for us.

Financing long term care is usually accomplished by private pay, long term care insurance, Medicare, and finally Medicaid. (For those who are eligible, the Veterans' Administration can also provide assistance). Private pay is a consideration for those who can afford to spend $5,000 to $6,000 per month (the average cost of a nursing home in metro Atlanta). Long term care insurance is an excellent option for a person that can qualify medically and can afford the premium. Unfortunately, too many wait until a crisis occurs resulting in a medical disqualification. Also, long term care insurance is not inexpensive and many cannot afford the premium. Medicare provides very limited nursing home care: up to 100 days following a 3 day hospital stay. Medicaid will provide skilled nursing home care if you meet the financial qualifications and those qualifications are becoming more restricted each year. Even with the restrictive financial qualifications, Medicaid is the largest provider of Nursing Home assistance.

At the Law Office of Peter Casey, our goal is to assist the family in finding the appropriate level of care, at the appropriate facility, at the appropriate financial level. First we utilize a geriatric care nurse who will assess the individual and make recommendations concerning the level of care needed. We then make a thorough review of all federal and state assistance programs (such as Medicaid) to determine which may provide financial assistance and what the eligibility criteria are. If a person does not currently meet the eligibility criteria, the laws and regulations governing these programs are thoroughly researched to determine exceptions and waivers which will allow the person to become eligible. A plan is then developed and presented to the person needing assistance (our client) or to the individual's legal representative if he or she is not competent for approval. If approved, we assist the client in navigating the maze of regulations and bureaucracy.

Do not wait until a crisis occurs--remember there is now a 5 year look back period. The more time we have, the better the result. Contact us today to learn how we can help you. We can provide you with the best options to plan for incapacity and the potential costs of long term care.

Law Office of Peter Casey
2475 Northwinds Parkway, Suite 200
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Phone: 770-645-7577