Q. My 86 year old mother had a stroke last week, was in the hospital,  and was moved to a nursing home for rehabilitation.  I was wondering about Medicare coverage. Does Medicare cover nursing home stays? What if she needs more than the 100 days I read about?    A. Many people believe that Medicare covers nursing […]

The following was excerpted from Evan H. Farr, CELA’s new book, entitled “Nursing Home Survival Guide:  Helping You Protect Your Loved Ones Who Need Nursing Home Care by Preserving Dignity, Quality of Life, and Financial Security.” Buy the book on Amazon.com.   “One of greatest concerns people have about nursing home care is how to […]

Q: I have a 75 year old father who lives alone in his home. He doesn’t have an in-home caregiver, but has lots of friends and family who check in on him regularly. Since he served during the Vietnam War, he has had flashbacks that still affect him and keep him up at night. He […]

Transitioning a loved one into assisted living or a nursing home isn’t easy for most families, especially if your loved one has Alzheimer’s.  For a person with Alzheimer’s disease, changing the routine and moving into an unfamiliar environment make the move especially daunting.  If you’re helping a loved one who has Alzheimer’s move into a […]

Organizing life can be difficult, particularly when you are coordinating your care or that of a loved one.  Doctors’ appointments, medication schedules, and other activities can seem overwhelming.  But, your smartphone or tablet can prove to be a big help in these and other areas. If you’re a child caregiver, consider adding an extra smart […]

Join us tonight at 7 – 8 p.m. at Burke Centre Library for a “Long-Term Care Seminar” Space still available. Call us at 703-691-1888 to register. Long Term Care Seminar Location: Burke Centre Library 5935 Freds Oak Road Burke, VA 22015 At this event about Long Term Care, you will: Learn what the most important […]

This week, March 3-9, is National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), as proclaimed by President Obama in 2009.  Consumer education helps keep seniors and all Americans informed while providing them with resources to explain their rights and protections.  For seniors, NCPW is the perfect time to talk about some of the new rights and protections Americans […]

Special needs refer to the individual requirements of a person with a mental, emotional, or physical disability.  People with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, dyslexia, blindness, mental illness, or cystic fibrosis, for example, may be considered to have special needs. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders gives guidelines for clinical diagnosis.  There are […]

Special needs refer to the individual requirements of a person with a mental, emotional, or physical disability. People with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, dyslexia, blindness, mental illness, or cystic fibrosis, for example, may be considered to have special needs. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders gives guidelines for clinical diagnosis. There are […]

  Without Congressional action to prevent sequestration, the first round of cuts will take place on March 1, 2013. Many of us are concerned about these cuts and if they happen, how they will affect seniors and veterans. We here at The Fairfax Elder Law Firm of Evan H. Farr, P.C. are thrilled that sequester […]

Special needs refer to the individual requirements of a person with a mental, emotional, or physical disability.  People with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, dyslexia, blindness, mental illness, or cystic fibrosis, for example, may be considered to have special needs. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders gives guidelines for clinical diagnosis.  There are […]

Today’s question was submitted through Avvo by a resident of Baltimore. Submit your question.  Q: Can you name two sisters as agents under Power of Attorney, so that either one is able to conduct business at various times? We want to share the responsibilities. Our mother is in Maryland, one sister is in New York, […]

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that impairs motor skills and speech.  In its advanced stages, sufferers could become disabled, with problems feeding themselves, talking and walking. Between 15-20% of Parkinson’s patients develop dementia, though this symptom is less common among people who develop the disease before age 60. About […]

The following question was submitted by a Virginia resident and answered by Evan H. Farr, CELA. For our weekly “Ask the Expert” FAQ, subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter. Q: My mother is 80 yrs old and I advised her to create a trust. In my mother’s trust, I was named as a Second Successor. My […]

Celebrities with Parkinson’s Disease: A Three-Part Series Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that impairs motor skills and speech.  Parkinson’s is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremors, a slowing of physical movement and, in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement.  Many patients with Parkinson’s disease have clinically significant anxiety, depression, […]

Dear Readers, We love your feedback, comments, and suggestions. The following came in from a thoughtful reader in response to yesterday’s “Celebrities with Parkinson’s Disease Series- Part 1 of 3” article. Below the comment was our answer to her inquiry. Message from reader, Ms. C –  Not really a question but a comment on the […]

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that impairs motor skills and speech.  Parkinson’s is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremors, a slowing of physical movement and, in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, but medications or surgery can provide relief from the symptoms. […]