Elder Law Report

Most families wait until a fall, stroke, or sudden diagnosis forces a scramble. We open up about how adult children can help parents plan early, keep control where it belongs, and avoid the most expensive and stressful mistakes—from lost capacity to long-term care surprises.We start with the heart of the matter: capacity. Once a parent can’t sign, choices narrow and families face court, delays, and mounting costs. We lay out conversation starters that honor dignity and independence, then translate them into action with the documents that matter: durable financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, HIPAA authorization, wills, and targeted trusts. You’ll hear why a POA is not a loss of control but an expansion of it, and how springing language can wait until a doctor certifies the need.Then we tackle the iceberg: long-term care costs. We explain five-year lookback rules, why blind gifting backfires, and how Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts and careful titling can legally protect a home and saving