Elder & Disability Law Center Washington DC Attorneys | Senior Care Planning Long Term Nursing Home Selecting Financing Medicaid Medicare

Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

The Elder & Disability Law Center
Washington, D.C. • Tysons Corner, Virginia • Laytonsville, Maryland

Call us now or use the form below.

Frequently Asked Questions about Elder Law

Q: If I want to stay in my own home, do I have other options besides a nursing home?

A: Yes. If you want to stay in your home, you have options that may be less expensive and stressful than a nursing home. You could obtain a reverse mortgage on your home, long-term care insurance or support through federal or state funding sources. A family member, friend or paid caretaker may be able to help you with personal cares. If you want to stay in your home, an experienced elder law attorney can advise you about options you have.

Q: What are Medicare and Medicaid?

A: Medicare is a federal program established in 1965 to provide persons over the age of 65 or persons with a disability with low-cost health coverage. Few Americans receive funding for long-term care through Medicare. Medicaid, however, is a state-administered federal program designed to give low-income Americans medical and long-term care assistance. To receive Medicaid assistance, you must meet certain asset and income limits and asset transfer requirements. A skilled elder law attorney can assist you with these eligibility requirements.

It is estimated that nearly four million Americans suffer some form of mental dementia, most commonly Alzheimer's Disease. That figure is expected to triple by 2050. With the onset of dementia comes the growing need for assistance with such common daily tasks as dressing and feeding oneself, administering to even modest financial matters, and providing for one's own medical care. If you have a loved one who has difficulty making sound financial and lifestyle decisions, contact an experienced elder law attorney to discuss the possibility of establishing a guardianship or conservatorship to aid your loved ones.

Elder Law Information

Residents of the Washington, D.C., area, Virginia, and Maryland who have senior care planning, Medicare, Elder Law or Disability-related concerns are encouraged to contact the lawyers at the Elder & Disability Law Center. Our Elder Law attorneys welcome you to schedule a comprehensive initial consultation to learn about how we can help your family with:

Estate planning
Guardianships and conservatorships
Probate
Medicare
Medicaid eligibility
Long-term health care planning
Selecting, financing, and admission to nursing homes
Alzheimer’s disease issues: legal, financial, and personal care planning
Supplemental Needs Trusts

The information in the following Elder Law Information Center is intended to provide general background and is not necessarily directly related to your individual concerns.

To schedule a consultation on your family’s needs with an experienced Elder Law attorney, contact the Elder & Disability Law Center in Washington, D.C. through this Web site, by phone at 202-452-0000, or by e-mail.

Elder Law - An Overview

As the baby boomer generation gets older, aging Americans and their families increasingly encounter legal and practical concerns in caring for elderly loved ones. An attorney experienced in elder law matters can assist clients in planning for the future through powers of attorney and advance directives to ensure that proper medical treatment is provided. An attorney also advise on long-term care insurance or other funding options that foster the most independence and security for the many elders that want to remain in their homes.

Guardianships and Conservatorships

Guardianship and conservatorship questions may arise when an elder relative or older friend shows signs of incapacity or cannot handle personal cares or financial matters. A guardian or conservator is only appointed if a judge determines the person, frequently referred to as a ward, is incapacitated or incompetent, depending on the law of the state. The guardian or conservator could be a spouse, child, friend or other interested party.

Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives for Health Care

Many people worry about what could happen to them if they suffered a medical emergency or became incapacitated. Luckily, most states recognize the need to plan for future incapacity with planning tools referred to as advance directives. Advance directives can include durable powers of attorney for financial matters or health care, and "do not hospitalize" or "do not resuscitate" orders. With these tools, people can direct one or more persons to make certain health care and financial decisions in the event of their incapacity. States have different requirements so it is important to understand what documents are needed to create valid advance directives.

Planning for Long-Term Care

As medical technology advances and life spans increase, many Americans fear the financial strain that rising long-term care costs will have on their life savings.

Caring for Elderly Family Members

As seniors grow older, symptoms of physical and mental disability may arise. These disabilities often deprive people of the cognitive skills needed to make sound decisions and the physical abilities to care for themselves on a daily basis. Elder law clients frequently turn to their families to provide the day-to-day assistance they no longer can provide for themselves.

Elder Law Resource Links

Administration on Aging
The Administration on Aging is a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services advocating for older Americans. Its Web site contains information on legislation and resources for older Americans.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Web site is official site of the US Department of Health and Human Services with information on Medicare, Medicaid, regulations, and research and statistics.

National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information
The US Department of Health and Human Services developed the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information Web site to provide resources for individuals and families to plan for long-term care.

The National Guardianship Association
The National Guardianship Association strives for a nationwide excellence in guardianship. Its Web site offers newsletters, information on ethical considerations, and practical guides on various issues pertaining to guardianship.

Partnership for Caring
Partnership for Caring is a national support organization for elderly persons. Its Web site advises senior citizens of lifestyle choices to maximize their quality of life.

The Elder & Disability Law Center
1111 19th Street, N.W., Suite 760
Washington, D.C. 20036
phone: 202-452-0000
fax: 202-463-2757

Virginia Office
1950 Old Gallows Road
Suite 700, Tysons Corner
Vienna, VA 22182

Maryland Office
5515 Riggs Road
Laytonsville, MD 20882

The Elder & Disability Law Center, with its main office in Washington, D.C., also has offices in Tysons Corner, Virginia, and Laytonsville, Maryland. We serve clients throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, including Fairfax, Arlington, Prince William, Stafford, Fauquier and Warren counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Vienna in Virginia; and Montgomery, Prince George's, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, and the cities of Bethesda, Silver Spring and Annapolis in Maryland.