2010 Public Events Calendar and Legislative Update
Alzheimer's Disease: Legal and Financial Issues & Answers.: Addressing the specific issues of family members of people with Alzheimer's disease in any financial situation. The 90 minute update by Attorney John L. Roberts offers information about wills, durable power of attorney, protection of assets, health care proxy, and what Medicare and Medicaid do and no not cover:
When: Wednesday March 24, 2010 at 12:00 Noon
Where: Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main Street, Agawam
To Register: Call Virginia Sinkoski at (800) 272-3900.
Falls in the Elderly: Why it Happens and How You Can Help
If you are worried about a relative or friend falling at home, attend this presentation by Joan Zaleski of the Holyoke VNA. Learn how to evaluate the risk for falls, what the state of Massachusetts is doing to standardize fall prevention, and interventions that can prevent falls.
When: Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 4 PM
Where: Orchard Valley at Wilbraham, 2387 Boston Road
To Register: Call Elena Leon at (413) 596-0006
FREE
Legislative Update: An Act Regarding the Assets of Medical Assistance Recipients
Sponsored by Senator Eldridge, Representative Peisch
Read Senate Bill 540 (it is only 50 words), HB 1094 History of House Bill
Please call your State Senator and State Representative and ask them to support:This bill will help community spouses of nursing home residents retain their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA’s) and pension plans by making those qualified accounts "non-countable asset" when their spouse needs nursing home care. If the bill is passed, the community spouse of a nursing home resident will be allowed to retain her IRA or pension account, and receive distributions. Currently, if the spouse has an IRA or pension account they may be required to liquidate or annuitize the account, which results in a significant financial penalty. In situations involving state retirement pensions, During this time of economic uncertainty, the spouses of nursing home residents need these accounts to live independently. Assigned to the Joint House and Senate Committee on Health Care Financing. home care a
nd applies for MassHealth.
This change in the law will permit a community spouse of a nursing home resident to retain an IRA account from which they can receive distributions. Currently, if the spouse has an IRA account they may in some cases be required to liquidate or annuitize the account, which results in a significant financial penalty. During this time of economic uncertainty, the spouses of nursing home residents need these accounts to allow them to live independently and with dignity. Again, please call your State Senator and State Representative and ask them to support this increased protection for pensions and IRAs. You may send a letter of support to: Joint Committee on Health Care Finance,
Room 256,
Statehouse,
Boston, Massachusetts 02133 Sample Letter to State Rep
Get Contact Info for your State Senator and State Rep by town or zip code.
On May 13, 2009 Attorney Roberts presented Medicaid Planning Before It's Too Late: What Families Need to Know - to the Alzheimer's Association Map Thorough The Maze Conference. Medicaid planning can save assets, and provide resources for care.
Understanding these tools will help you provide hope for individuals
and families. This updated legal session was presented in the context
of onset and progression of dementia during different decades of a
’s life, whether in their 50’s, early 60’s, 70’s or older. For information on how this information can be presented to your group of facility staff, please call (413) 567-5600
Click here for: 2009 course outline: