Nursing Home…"Sweet Home"?
(Published in the Fall/Winter of 2009 Newsletter)
So it’s time to move mom or dad, or both, into a nursing home? Before doing so, there are many important considerations, such as how will it all be paid? Are you eligible for Medicare and Medicaid or other assistance? What can and should you do with the real estate and other property?
Among these concerns is selecting the right nursing home. Before you move in, investigate your options. All homes are not created equal and may not fit your needs. Your work begins before you visit the first home. You should call the nursing home with a specific list of questions. When you visit a home, you will have an additional checklist of things both to look for and to ask. Contact us if you want a copy of a sample nursing home checklist -- for before and during the visit.
Before you move in, the nursing home will likely have a contract for you to sign. These contracts will address many issues from payment to eviction. The home may seek to reduce or eliminate their liability for any injury that occurs. Some may seek to limit family visiting hours, others seek to make the family responsible to pay the care bills. Finally, these contracts often provide that you give up your rights to sue in court if something goes wrong. An attorney should review the nursing home contract before you sign on the dotted line. If not, the stay in the home may not be so sweet after all.
Menges, McLaughlin, & Kalasnik P.C.
www.YourLawFirmForLife.com
NOTE: The contents of this Newsletter are not intended to be, nor should they be taken as, specific legal advice as each situation is different. Please contact a lawyer with any questions you may have.
The Elder Law attorneys at Menges, McLaughlin & Kalasnik, P.C. can help. Contact us now by calling, toll free, 1-866-464-5297.