Florida Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog


Skilled Nursing Homes Face Tightened Scrutiny of Staffing Levels
Skilled Nursing Homes Face Tightened Scrutiny of Staffing Levels
February 7, 2019

Throughout our many years of experience, we have found the vast majority of nursing home staff to be well-intentioned and hardworking. That said, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have concluded there is room for improvement. A new,…

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Korean War
Veterans Benefits Delay Agonizing for Two Proud Marines
April 7, 2018

V.A. Aid and Attendance (officially known as Improved Pension with Aid and Attendance) is a little-know benefit available to elderly and disabled veterans who served during certain wartime periods and who can meet financial and other eligibility criteria. However, “available”…

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Fines Reduced for Many Nursing Home Violations: What It May Mean For Your Loved One
Fines Reduced for Many Nursing Home Violations: What It May Mean For Your Loved One
February 22, 2018

In keeping with its goal of reducing bureaucracy and eliminating unnecessary regulations, the Trump Administration has scaled back penalties levied on federally funded nursing homes for violations of certain safety and quality standards.  It has also made it more difficult…

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nursing home abuse
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect A Growing Problem: Here’s How to Prevent It, Spot It, Report It
December 11, 2017

This post on nursing home abuse and neglect is contributed by Attorney Michael Brevda of the Senior Justice Law Firm. If you have a possible case of nursing home abuse and neglect, please call the The Karp Law Firm to…

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medicaid worries
Long-Term Care Costs Increase Sharply
October 19, 2017

Genworth Financial has released its 2017 survey of long-term care costs. The picture is not encouraging. Although the cost of care has always been shockingly expensive, and increased annually without fail, the rate of increase seems to be picking up….

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ombudsman
Nursing Home Residents, Family Can Call On Their Ombudsman for Help
September 10, 2017

Being a resident in a long-term care facility does not mean giving up your legal rights. In fact, anyone who lives in a nursing facility gains certain rights. You can see a summary of those rights here, and read the…

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campbell
Six years post diagnosis, Glen Campbell’s wife reports on the Rhinestone Cowboy
March 21, 2017

As reported in a 2013 post, acclaimed country music singer-songwriter Glen Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2011. This was not entirely a shock to his fans, who had noticed the Rhinestone Cowboy forgetting lyrics during performances. At home, he…

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Businesswoman filling out contract on a glass table.
How NOT to sign a nursing home admissions agreement
December 20, 2016

A recent Florida Supreme Court ruling underscores the importance of having a valid power of attorney, as well as the importance of being careful when signing a nursing home agreement for a loved one. Juan Mendez Sr. was admitted to…

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Portrait of an elderly woman sitting alone in a senior care facility
Enforcement of CMS rule prohibiting pre-dispute arbitration clauses will be delayed
November 11, 2016

A new rule barring long-term care facilities from including pre-dispute forced arbitration clauses in their admissions contracts will not go into effect on November 28, as originally anticipated. (Discussed the rule in an earlier post. ) In response to a…

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myths and facts
Florida Medicaid Myths
November 8, 2016

In Florida, the average annual cost of a private room at a long-term nursing facility now hovers upwards of $90,000 annually, with a semi-private room around $83,000. With the oldest Baby Boomers turning 70 and the escalating incidence of chronic…

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