Homelessness rates are rising among people aged 65 and over. In addition to the dangers unhoused people face on the street, there are exponential effects on their access to health care.

Barriers to accessible housing mean that more seniors are exposed to deadly medical conditions and are less likely to receive the preventative care they need to treat existing chronic health care issues.

Older People Experiencing Homelessness

People over age 65 are a part of a vulnerable population. They experience higher rates of chronic diseases, lack access to preventative care, and are more likely to struggle to get nutritious food. Housing insecurity exacerbates these problems, and a snowball effect leads to a greater chance of adverse health outcomes.

The number of seniors experiencing homelessness is expected to continue to grow over the next decade. A 2019 study published by the National Alliance to End Homelessness focused on senior populations in three major American cities: New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. Studying these populations helped experts predict the increase in homelessness rates among seniors, the causes and effects of housing insecurity among older people, and what subgroups need in order to eliminate homelessness.

According to the research findings, the rates of homelessness among seniors aged 65 and older in each city studied have increased yearly since 2011.

Number of Unhoused Seniors in Cities Included in the Study

In each of the cities studied, the number of older people who face homelessness or housing insecurity is projected to grow exponentially.

• New York City – The number of unhoused adults older than 65 living in New York was 2,600 in 2017. The rate of homelessness among seniors in New York may grow to 6,900 by 2030.

• Boston – In 2017, 570 seniors experienced housing insecurity or homelessness. By 2030, that number is expected to increase to 1,560.

• Los Angeles County – The number of people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles is staggering. The city has a reputation for high rates of homelessness. In 2015, the city reported 4,700 unhoused seniors. By 2030, the number of seniors experiencing homelessness is forecasted to reach 13,900.

Reported Causes of Homelessness Across the Baby Boomer Generation

The Baby Boomer generation has lived through its share of economic instability. Multiple recessions, increasing inflation, and rising housing costs may be among the culprits for the financial crises facing this group. Meanwhile, a lack of a solid social safety net has left seniors vulnerable to housing insecurity as they age.

Lack of Housing and Adverse Health Consequences Among Seniors

There is undoubtedly a connection between homelessness and health outcomes. Cost and access to health care are both affected by housing status. Stable and affordable housing increases the chances of positive physical and mental health outcomes.

Homelessness is a public health issue. People experiencing homelessness will likely experience a higher rate of health problems, including:

• Tuberculosis
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• HIV infection

The increased rates of health problems among unhoused people are usually the result of several factors, including limited access to social services, inadequate food, no protection from the elements, and other barriers to health care.

Supportive Housing in Ending Homelessness

Policymakers share the responsibility to end homelessness and mitigate its effects. The country’s leaders have legal and policy interventions to consider in addressing homelessness.

Supportive housing may be one possibility that can help lower the cost of health care while getting and keeping people in affordable homes. Supportive care includes providing unhoused people with affordable housing options plus coordinated social services. These social services may be designed to help individuals and families gain access to:

• Food
• Medical care/insurance coverage
• Substance abuse and mental health services
• Financial support

Easing the burden that older adults face when deciding between maintaining housing and paying for health expenses will decrease the homelessness rate among this demographic. The removal of stress caused by housing instability allows seniors to focus on treating their health conditions, thereby improving survival rates and quality of life.

Increased funding to state Medicaid/Medicare programs and managed care organizations may be part of the solution. These programs pay for support services like the ones listed above, as well as tenants’ rights and responsibility training, eviction prevention, and housing location services.

Affordable Housing Options for Seniors

Closing the housing affordability gap is essential to improving health outcomes for seniors. If you are looking for affordable housing options for seniors, start here for ideas related to your search.

The Biden administration officially ended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023. Certain policies that were implemented in early 2020 during the public health emergency will now expire. As a result, seniors are among those who may see some of the health care costs related to COVID-19 change. Other health care services may or may not be affected, depending on what type of coverage you have.

Here are some of the highlights:

If You Are Enrolled in Original Medicare

• With the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, you will likely have to pay for:
  • At-home and over-the-counter COVID tests
  • Care in a skilled nursing facility if you have not first spent at least three days in a row admitted to a hospital (Note that being “under observation” at a hospital is not the same as being “admitted.”)
• You generally will not have to pay for:
  • Laboratory COVID tests ordered by a health care provider, if you have Medicare Part B (Note that you may have to pay for part of the cost for your visit to the health care provider’s office)
  • COVID vaccines and boosters from a health care provider who takes Medicare
  • COVID oral antiviral treatments such as Paxlovid
• Other considerations
  • In most cases, you will continue to have access to telehealth services from home through the end of 2024
  • With the end of the public health emergency, Medicare beneficiaries with Part D coverage may no longer receive three-month supplies of prescription medications

If You Are a Medicare Advantage Member

• Now that the public health emergency has ended, you may have to pay at least part of the cost for:
  • At-home and over-the-counter COVID tests
  • Laboratory COVID tests ordered by a health care provider, including part of the cost of your visit to the health care provider’s office
  • Visits to out-of-network physicians
• You will not have to pay for:
  • COVID vaccines provided by an in-network physician
• Other considerations
  • Check with your individual plan regarding telehealth service access

For more information, visit the “What Does the End of the PHE Mean for You?” resource on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

The population of seniors over 65 is expected to increase exponentially over the next decade. A study by the Office of Policy Development and Research exposed the country’s unpreparedness for housing the aged population. America has three major housing issues for seniors: affordability, physical accessibility, and access to medical care and other services. There is a need for creative solutions to housing.

Innovative long-term care housing for seniors tries to solve these problems. These new potential living arrangements for seniors may provide older people with the care, protection, and resources they need to age peacefully.

What Services Do Seniors Need From a Long-Term Care Provider?

As people age, their needs change. An ideal living environment for older people will meet their personal and medical needs while remaining affordable.

Seniors need access to nutritious foods, transportation to and from medical appointments, the ability to exercise safely, and community connection to promote positive mental health.

Modern long-term care housing for seniors intends to increase the number of options for seniors while meeting these needs.

University-Based Retirement Communities

One creative living option for older people is university retirement communities. University retirement communities are part of a college campus and house and educate older people.

Colleges and universities establish retirement communities in several ways. A university may partner with an existing retirement community and provide it with resources. Some universities sell their property to a third party at a discounted rate to build a retirement community.

You won’t live in a dorm if you choose a university retirement community. Depending on the community, housing units may include single-family homes, apartments, condos, or townhouses.

In addition to receiving free and discounted classes, university retirement communities offer other benefits to their residents. Some community amenities include social activities, health resources, transportation services, access to university facilities, and dining services.

This living option can get expensive and must be paid out-of-pocket. A resident must pay an entry and monthly maintenance fee, which can add up to several thousand dollars.

Dementia Villages

Dementia villages began 25 years ago in Amsterdam by nurses who wanted a safer alternative for their parents who suffered from memory issues; dementia villages cater only to older people living with dementia. Several countries worldwide have adopted this housing model, including the United States.

Everything a resident might need is available in the community created by the facility. In most dementia villages, you can find hairstylists, grocery stores, libraries, restaurants, social events, and access to medical care.

Dementia villages offer centralized care, including on-site, live-in staff. The care team in dementia villages lives among the residents, and they become intimately familiar with their patients’ conditions. Staff track patient progress and create an effective treatment plan for each resident.

According to the World Health Organization, 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia. Each year, nearly 8 million new patients get diagnosed with dementia. Over the next decade, nearly 80 million people will receive a dementia diagnosis. The time to learn more about effective treatment for dementia is now.

Routine helps improve the quality of life for seniors living with dementia. Dementia villages offer services that promote an increased quality of life for residents, including:

• Safe physical activity and increased mobility
• Healthy meals
• Social interaction
• Art and music activities

The Green House Project

The Green House Project is one of the most well-known nonprofit organizations leading the charge to reimagine housing options and improve quality of life for seniors.

The Green House Project serves seniors and their families. The organization has built 400 homes across the United States over the past 17 years. Green House homes operate efficiently to care for older people. Some of the available services include:

• Dementia care
• Assisted living
• Licensed skilled nursing

Each home is private, with easy access to the outdoors. The homes are self-contained, and each resident has a private room and bathroom. The homes create a community of seniors who can connect and create friends.

Planning for Your Long-Term Housing?

There are many options for your long-term care. Contacting an elder law attorney can be the best next step to learning your options. Learn more about creating a long-term care plan and find an expert here.

Aging is an inevitable reality for everyone. As part of this, many adults engage in long-term planning in anticipation of their later years. But, for many in the LGBTQ+ community, there is anxiety and trepidation over long-term planning.

This is because older people in this community worry about being the subject of discrimination or inadequate care should they need to enter a nursing home or elder care community. As a result, many do not plan or feel paralyzed when planning.

What Is Long-Term Care Planning?

Long-term care planning means putting together a course of action should you need assistance with your activities of daily living in the future, whether due to age, illness, or other reasons. For some people, this will involve entering a nursing home or assisted living community. For others, it will mean receiving help with health and personal care needs from the comfort of their own home.

Many of the programs and services that help people remain in their homes and communities are provided through Medicare and Medicaid. Long-term care services can also be provided through private insurance.

Unique Long-Term Care Planning Challenges for the LGBTQ+ Community

Older people in the LGBTQ+ community are often concerned about what will happen if they need care from nonfamily members. Concerns may include whether they can be open about their sexual orientation or gender and still receive the care they need. For many, these concerns can lead them to feel that they must hide their identity, creating anxiety and alienation.

What can a person do now to address these issues? First, if it is possible to obtain long-term care insurance, you should consider doing so. One of the benefits of private insurance is that it opens up many options that may not be available to a person who solely relies on Medicare (usually Part C) and Medicaid.

For example, if you are able to stay at home with the assistance of a health aide, your long-term care insurance may also cover things like assistance with:

• Housework
• meal preparation
• care for your pet

In addition, long-term care insurance may also cover a broader range of facilities that can give a person more options in choosing a place where they feel comfortable should they have to leave their home. Many long-term care insurances will pay for assisted living communities, adult day cares, memory care communities, and more. Medicare and Medicaid will not necessarily provide equivalent coverage.

Another consideration many LGBTQ+ people face is not having the same support system as others to assist them as they age. For example, many LGBTQ+ seniors do not have adult children, as adoption and fertility options were not as available in the past as they are today.

Understanding this and being prepared by connecting with communities or organizations that assist LGBTQ+ persons is essential in engaging in long-term care planning. These organizations and resources are growing every year. Some currently existing organizations include:

• National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging
• LGBTQ Caregiver Center
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
• GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)

These organizations provide a wealth of information to help individuals understand issues they may face, their rights, and how to plan for their future. In addition, they can help you connect with an advocate to advise you, should the need arise. There is no better time than the present to build your support system and connect with others who are similarly inclined or situated.

Get Your Advance Health Care Directives in Order

Another critical consideration in long-term care planning is getting your advance health care directive in order. An advance health care directive is a person’s instructions set out in advance regarding their health care wishes and who may assist with health care decisions on their behalf. These are often referred to (depending on your state) as health care powers of attorney, durable powers of medical attorney, health care proxies, or living wills.

You can implement advance health care directives now so that your wishes regarding your medical care can be honored in the future. In addition, these directives allow you to designate a trusted person or persons to make these decisions if you become incapacitated. For many, this may help alleviate anxieties about potential mistreatment or issues with the management of their care in the future.

Consult With an Elder Law Attorney

Finally, consider connecting with an elder law attorney in your area. An elder law attorney can advise you about additional services or planning that are appropriate to address your concerns. They can also help you accomplish your long-term care planning goals.

Adults 65 and older constitute the fasting-growing age demographic in the United States. When it comes to elder care, this expanding population is facing a scarcity in people equipped to support them as they get older.

One estimate predicts a shortage of 151,000 paid direct care workers and 3.8 unpaid family caregivers by 2030, increasing to a gap of 355,000 paid workers with 11 million unpaid family caregivers by 2040.

Technological advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence may be opening the doors to new possibilities for supporting aging people.

Innovations for Aging in Place and Beyond

Many older adults wish to stay in their homes for as long as possible. According to AARP, 77 percent of adults over 50 want to continue residing in their homes for as long as they can.

Yet aging can lead to challenges with mobility and memory, such that older individuals often need additional assistance to live independently. Innovations in robotics and artificial intelligence may have the potential to provide support on this front, allowing seniors to continue living at home as they age.

Developments in robotics and AI could also fulfill unmet needs in nursing homes and assisted living, increasing efficiency, helping caregivers complete tasks, and reducing the number of staff required.

Meanwhile, artificial intelligence technologies may be able to help older adults manage health conditions from home as well as receive more efficient care in hospital settings.

Robots Helping Out in Health Care Facilities

How might robots help seniors in their homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and beyond? Here is a glimpse into some emerging products:

• Panasonic has developed robotic exoskeletons designed to augment wearers’ abilities. This self-reliance support robot aims to help aging people perform everyday tasks, get in and out of bed, and sit on chairs or the toilet. The device could help individuals to perform physical tasks without assistance. Another portable exoskeleton, the APO, may be another type widely used one day in health care to help prevent falls in seniors.
• The TUG robot is already assisting in hospitals by delivering medicine, meals, supplies, and tests, freeing nursing staff to focus on tasks requiring more education and expertise.
• Social robots may prove another avenue for improving older adults’ mental health. Paro, a robotic seal, gives patients the benefits of pet therapy in health care settings and dementia wards where bringing live animals would be impractical. Similar to pet therapy, some individuals may find it easier to connect with robots than with people.

In the coming years, other kinds of socially assistive robots may become increasingly common in elder care. These types of robots engage with residents, provide entertainment and interaction, perform tasks, or help ensure safety:

• A socially assistive robot called Stevie, designed at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, was tested at a Washington, D.C., nursing home from 2018 to 2020. Stevie entertained residents by telling jokes, playing bingo, and leading karaoke. It also provided reminiscence therapy using stories and music and could clean the facility with ultraviolet light. Recognizing commands like “help me,” the robot also can alert staff when residents needed assistance.
• Pepper, a humanoid robot funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, is similarly designed for socializing with residents. Able to recognize faces and read human emotions, Pepper is being introduced into nursing homes and other elder care facilities.
• Aeo, a robot created by Aeolus Robotics, interacts with residents socially. In addition to taking selfies with residents, it performs various essential functions, such as disinfecting surfaces, opening doors, pressing elevator buttons, and alerting staff when a resident has fallen or needs help.

Technology at Home

Older adults who live alone and people with disabilities can already use Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS), also known as Medical Emergency Response Systems. These lightweight, battery-powered wearable devices allow individuals to call for help at the push of a button. For an installation fee and a monthly monitoring charge, users receive a device that contains a radio transmitter and a console that connects to a telephone. An emergency response center monitors incoming calls.

Technology using artificial intelligence, motion sensors, and camera monitors can also provide more comprehensive assistance and monitoring for seniors aging in place:

• CarePredict, a device worn on one’s dominant arm, tracks the wearer’s activity. When it detects deviations from behavioral patterns, it alerts a caregiver.
• With Envoy at Home, caregivers can place small sensors in their loved one’s home that alert them when their loved one could be at risk, such as when they leave home, exhibit disturbed sleep, visit the restroom frequently, or display inactivity.
• Integrating AI with smartphone usage is one more emerging area in senior care. A 2021 survey by Pew Research Center found that the majority of older adults use smartphones. Technology utilizing smartphones could make in-home health monitoring more accessible, particularly for homebound seniors who may postpone doctor visits or rely on telehealth.
• With AliveCor, older adults can monitor and track their heart activity on their phones. AliveCor is a wireless personal electrocardiogram (EKG) placed on the back of the smartphone. Using an application, individuals can view their EKG results and can share results with their cardiologists.
• Using the smartphone’s camera, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, Healthy.io makes medical assessments of urine by analyzing the concentration of chemical elements and chemical compounds in urine.
  Healthy.io also empowers users to take photos of their wounds for a digitalized wound assessment, which can track healing and help doctors make recommendations.
• Luminostics is a diagnostic platform that attaches to a smartphone. It can recognize bacteria, viruses, proteins, and hormones from bodily fluids.

A Growing Market

Advances in medical technology are already helping health care providers manage, identify, and treat medical conditions in older adults.

According to Healthcare Dive, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized 91 AI- or machine-learning-enabled medical devices in 2022 alone. These include tools for radiology, cardiology, neurology, and more.

Going forward, AI may also become the norm for performing administrative tasks in clinical settings, giving health care workers more time to spend directly helping patients.

Using reverse mortgages, adults 62 and older may draw upon home equity to support their needs and remain in their homes.

Many older adults with reverse mortgages have a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). The Federal Housing Administration insures HECMs, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) oversees them.

While borrowers do not have to make traditional monthly mortgage payments, they are responsible for certain expenses related to homeownership. These costs include property charges such as taxes, homeowners insurance, and homeowners association fees. Seniors who have an HECM pay an annual insurance premium of 0.5 percent of the mortgage balance.

Lender Advances

If a borrower needs to catch up on payments, the lender advances money to cover property charges. However, the borrower must enter a payment plan to repay the advance. Those who fail to repay their lenders risk losing their homes.

Pandemic-Related Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for many older adults with HECMs to afford property charges and fulfill repayment plans. Many also lost loved ones who provided financial assistance support.

In addition, making ends meet amid rising inflation has become particularly challenging for those on fixed incomes.

COVID-19 HECM Repayment Plan

Recognizing these hardships, HUD created the COVID-19 HECM Repayment Plan. This new repayment option aids older adults with HECMs facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic and helping them avoid foreclosure.

Who Can Enroll in This Repayment Plan?

The plan is open to older adults with HECMs who have experienced financial complications because of the pandemic.

Older adults can qualify if:

• they have yet to be successful on an earlier repayment plan;
• they have an arrearage greater than $5,000; or
• they satisfy both of these criteria.

HUD also considers those who are currently enrolled in standard repayment plans.

In order to access the plan, borrowers must inform the loan servicing company that the pandemic has adversely impacted them. This requirement is relatively manageable, as they do not have to provide supporting documentation.

Borrowers can obtain these plans within one year following the expiration of the declared COVID-19 National Emergency. The property charge default does not have to have happened during of the official National Emergency duration. It could have occurred outside of this period as long as it was related to the pandemic.

Plan Duration

The plan is available for a five-year period. This is the case even if a borrower has already enrolled in a standard HECM repayment plan. The five-year period gives borrowers more time to supply payments.

Homeowner Assistance Funds

State Homeowner Assistance Funds (HAF) can provide additional relief to borrowers. Borrowers may obtain a repayment plan covering less than the full amount of arrears. They can then use the HAF funds to satisfy the outstanding amount of delinquent property expenses. The majority of state HAF programs permit applications to repay HECM-related property expenses.

Speak With an Attorney

Seniors interested in learning more about the COVID-19 HECM Repayment Plans should consider consulting with an elder law attorney. An attorney can support borrowers in:

• understanding and accessing a repayment plan,
• helping older adults navigate financial challenges associated with reverse mortgages, and
• avoiding foreclosure.

Find a qualified attorney near you today.

Safe housing that meets older adults’ needs is essential to healthy aging in communities. Many seniors with low, fixed incomes struggle to balance housing expenses with the costs of health care, transportation, and groceries.

Finding inexpensive, safe, and accessible housing can be challenging. However, several affordable housing options are available for older people with low incomes.

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly

The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program provides affordable housing and supportive services for older people with limited means. Through this program, seniors can maintain independence while receiving benefits such as transportation and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). The support allows them to continue living independently.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires Section 202 facility owners to maintain the buildings and regularly inspect them to ensure the tenants have a safe environment. Rent typically comprises 30 percent of the tenant’s income.

Older adults who meet specific thresholds may enroll in Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program.

• The head of the household must be 62 years old or older.
• There are also income requirements, which vary depending on location. Seniors must meet HUD’s income limits criteria. Generally, it is less than 50 percent or less of the area’s median family income.

The program has several benefits for those who qualify:

• Low housing costs provide peace of mind and stability.
• Units designed for older adults are more accessible, including features such as wheelchair ramps, wider doors, and bathroom grab bars.
• Senior communities ease loneliness and foster social connections.

Housing Vouchers

Housing vouchers are another option for seniors. Local housing agencies provide housing vouchers to low-income households that help cover rent. These vouchers are available to families living below 50 percent to 80 percent of the poverty level; income thresholds vary by area and agency. Dwellings must satisfy housing quality standards, and owners must maintain the units.

While families can obtain vouchers regardless of age, elders and those with disabilities can receive an additional deduction.

Although housing vouchers can help some older adults and their families, limited availability and long waiting lists characterize housing voucher programs. Per the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, only one in four qualifying households receive vouchers.

Home Sharing

Home-sharing programs can help older adults living alone stay in their homes while providing an affordable housing option for older adults. In addition to helping with costs, home-sharing can prevent loneliness, particularly benefiting older adults whose spouses have passed or children have moved away.

Through Senior Homeshares, older adults with homes can find housemates who are also elderly, helping to lessen the cost of living. The service pairs older adults with spare rooms in their homes with those on fixed incomes searching for safe, affordable housing.

Additional Options

Most affordable housing programs, such as Section 202 and housing vouchers, have waiting lists as demand exceeds availability. Additional options exist for older adults who need more immediate help with housing costs.

• Older adults who own their homes can apply for a reverse mortgage, allowing them to continue living at home. Reverse mortgages draw upon existing equity in a home to supply regular payments, which can supplement retirement income. The federal government insures the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM).
• For those with health care needs who have very low incomes and few assets, Medicaid could cover the cost of nursing home care.
• Medicare pays for certain in-home health services for homebound older adults. Although Medicare does not cover rent or mortgage payments, in-home care covered by Medicare can lessen total expenses.
• Individuals might consider moving in with family or friends to share living expenses and benefit from support.

For older adults struggling to afford housing costs, several options exist. The best choice depends on your unique circumstances. For assistance obtaining more affordable housing as you age, consider consulting with an attorney in your area.

Elder law attorneys may specialize in estate planning, incapacity planning, and end-of-life care for seniors. These practitioners are essential because they work to protect a vulnerable population. To plan for their future and their care, seniors and their families should consider hiring an elder law attorney.

How Can an Elder Law Attorney Help My Aging Loved One?

Having a plan for your aging loved one’s care can relieve anxiety for you and the senior. Elder law attorneys can help their clients by providing some of the following services:

Long-Term Care Planning

The number of Americans living past age 65 has exponentially increased over the past few decades and will continue to grow over the next few years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there will be more than 80 million seniors in the U.S. by 2040.  This increase requires more people to pay close attention to the need for long-term care planning.

An elder law attorney can help seniors create a plan to pay for their care needs for the rest of their lives. Many seniors may worry about a lack of financial resources to pay for food, rent, medical care, and transportation in the years to come. Others hope to stay in their homes as they age but aren’t sure what the options may be for in-home care if it becomes necessary.

An elder law attorney can help you create a customized plan for your needs and assist you in allocating money to pay for the essentials as you age. In addition, with expertise specific to elder law at the federal level and in your state, they can aid you in determining what public benefits you could qualify for, such as Medicaid and Medicare, and help you successfully apply for them.

Estate Planning Document Preparation

Most people contact an elder law attorney whose expertise includes estate planning when they need end-of-life documents drafted. Yet it is smart to start estate planning when you are still healthy.

Elder law attorneys may draft for their clients such documents as a last will and testament, health care directive, and power of attorney. By carefully crafting these documents, an attorney can help protect a senior’s legal rights when it comes to their retirement benefits, estate administration, and medical decision-making authority.

At the same time, having a comprehensive estate plan in place may not only ease the stress your family members encounter upon your passing, but also help them avoid any potential disputes regarding their inheritance.

Create a Plan for Incapacity

A related piece of the puzzle is incapacity planning. This could mean having an elder law attorney advise you on documenting your wishes for care at the end of your life, in the wake of a disability, or after a diagnosis of dementia.

For instance, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older suffer with Alzheimer’s disease. As the senior population increases across the United States, the number of seniors with memory care needs will likewise increase.

People with memory issues may reach a stage when they can no longer care for themselves. It is essential to have a plan in place for when a senior is incapacitated.

An elder law attorney can assist seniors and their families as they try and protect the senior’s financial and physical well-being as their condition progresses.

Combating Elder Abuse and Exploitation

Seniors who are victims of elder abuse, whether at the hands of a family member or in a long-term care facility, are protected by the law. Elder law attorneys know the rights of nursing home residents and seniors under guardianship, are familiar with the tools that can protect you and your assets, and can help you connect with other advocates.

What to Look for in Elder Law Attorneys

It is vital to know what to look for when you are hiring an elder law attorney. You want to have the best partner helping you protect yourself or your loved one. Here are some tips when looking for an elder law attorney:

• Interview multiple attorneys.

• Ask each attorney you meet with about their experience in the area.

• Get a referral from a friend or search for a qualified elder law attorney in your area.

Keeping your elderly loved ones safe is essential to supporting their care and protecting their legacy. Hiring an elder law attorney you trust can help you accomplish this and keep your parents, grandparents, or other aging relatives protected.

Using survey data from more than 8,000 adults aged 65 and older, researchers have identified eight social factors that may lead to early death in older adults.

As part of the study, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of California, San Francisco, developed a tool called the Social Frailty Index to examine factors that predict mortality, including age, gender, and medical conditions, as well as social characteristics.

The findings have applications in clinical, population health, and research settings. Clinicians may be able to use the index to help their older patients participate in advanced care planning. The index also helps identify at-risk seniors who could benefit from changes to their social interactions that could extend their lives.

8 Social Characteristics Shared by Study Participants Who Died Prematurely

Following 8,250 seniors for four years, the research team discovered that 22 percent of the group died within four years of their baseline interview.

The participants who died prematurely had the following eight social characteristics in common:

1. Poor neighborhood cleanliness
2. Low perceived control over their financial situation
3. Meeting with children less than yearly
4. Not working for a salary
5. Not being active with children
6. Not volunteering
7. Feeling isolated
8. Being treated with less courtesy or respect

Why Are the Social Frailty Index Findings Important for Older Adults?

The Social Frailty Index reveals the potential impact of healthy social connections on seniors’ physical health, according to the study’s authors. These findings, they state, are significant because medical providers previously had not accounted for these characteristics. Health care providers taking these findings into account may be able to give patients a complete care management plan.

“We often overemphasize the importance of medical conditions when thinking about longevity,” Sachin J. Shah, the study’s lead researcher, said in a news release. “This research demonstrates that our social lives are as important as medical conditions.”

The data collected from the study also helps predict the likelihood that a senior can safely and comfortably age in place. Solid social connections correlate with the ability of older adults to live independently.

Failure to consider social factors can lead to more significant inequities. For example, one of the authors states, Medicare penalizes hospital readmissions. Because of the expense of rehospitalization, some hospitals may refuse to admit Medicare recipients. Omitting risk factors creates a more significant barrier to proper treatment for marginalized groups. Patients can therefore avoid rehospitalizations if clinicians recognize and account for social factors when assessing a patient’s risk factors.

What Can Seniors Take From the Study?

This study’s findings suggest that friends, family, and community can help you live a longer and happier life. Armed with the knowledge from this study, seniors and their caretakers can structure their lives to address the eight social factors listed above.

This study also provides older adults and caregivers with the language to address these conditions with doctors, estate planners, geriatric care managers, and other family members to help ensure their needs get met.

When individuals cannot manage their finances, courts can appoint guardians. Financial guardianship is for those who need help handling money.

Depending on the jurisdiction, financial guardianship may also be called guardianship of the estate or conservatorship.

In cases where individuals need help with personal and financial decisions, the court can order guardianship of the person and estate. The guardian makes both personal and financial decisions for the protected person.

What Financial Guardianship Entails

Financial guardianship gives the guardian the authority to oversee the protected person’s finances and access money to pay bills. In many cases, the terms of the arrangement require the guardian to seek court approval before making financial actions on behalf of the ward, such as spending money and selling assets.

The ward’s money goes into a blocked account. The guardian can only access such an account with a court order, according to the Family Law Self Help Center.

When Do Courts Order Financial Guardianship of an Adult?

Courts appoint financial guardians when people demonstrate that they cannot handle their finances on their own.

• Individuals who frequently forget to pay bills might need help with finances. For instance, a person might need help remembering to pay bills and handling money.
• Those who are vulnerable to financial exploitation might also need guardians. For example, suppose a person makes significant payments to an online scammer. In that case, a loved one might petition the court to become the person’s guardian to protect them.
• Individuals with diseases and disabilities that prevent them from understanding money may also need the help of a trusted person. For instance, dementia can cause people to have executive functioning difficulties that impact their ability to handle money.

When a person has significant assets but needs help managing them, courts will order financial guardianship. Individuals with limited income and assets might not need financial guardians.

Alternatives to Financial Guardianship

While providing protection and support, guardianship limits autonomy. Many states require courts to explore less restrictive alternatives to guardianship before appointing a guardian. Those facing challenges with financial decisions should, along with their loved ones, first consider other options.

Financial Power of Attorney

Guardianship is appropriate when a person is impaired and cannot make their own decisions. Suppose an individual still can make decisions and understand the consequences of their choices. In that case, the person can execute a power of attorney for property. This gives a trusted individual the ability to handle their assets.

Compared to financial guardianship, an economic power of attorney can protect individuals’ rights while allowing someone to step in and help with monetary decisions. Under financial guardianship, it is more difficult for the protected person to change the arrangement if disagreements with the guardian arise. The person subject to the arrangement must petition the court to terminate it.

Revoking a power of attorney is, by comparison, straightforward. As long as the individual who made a power of attorney retains capacity, they can withdraw their power of attorney at any time for any reason. They can also appoint a new agent without judicial oversight.

Supported Decision Making

Another option for those with money difficulties is supported decision-making. Under a supportive decision-making arrangement, a person can have a trusted individual or multiple people help with financial decisions.

Supportive decision-making is less restrictive than guardianship, as individuals get help with decisions while retaining autonomy. Unlike a ward in a guardianship, the individual keeps the final decision-making power.

Those wondering whether they need someone to help with finances should speak with an elder law attorney. Find a qualified professional in your area.

Additional Reading on Legal Guardianship

• The Ins and Outs of Guardianship and Conservatorship
• Britney Spears Case Puts Renewed Focus on Guardianships and Less Restrictive Alternatives
• How Do I File for a Guardianship?
• New Yorker Article Highlights Abuses in the Guardianship System