Fong Law Group

Staying Safe in Winter Weather: Tips for Older Adults

Winter can be an enjoyable time of the year, with holidays, time with family, and winter scenery. But it can bring challenges, especially for older adults. Keeping a home warm enough can be expensive, staying warm while outside is more difficult, and driving, and even walking can be more dangerous. Here are some ways older adults can stay safe and warm during the winter months.

Preventing Falls

Snow and ice can make outdoor areas dangerously slippery. Falls are a significant risk for older adults and can result in serious injuries. Here are some ways to reduce the risk of falling:

• Wear Proper Footwear: Wear shoes or boots with good traction and nonslip soles to provide more stability on icy or wet surfaces. Choose waterproof footwear to keep feet dry and warm.
• Use Assistive Devices: Canes and walkers can help with balance. For added safety in slippery conditions, attach an ice tip to the end of the cane or walker supports.
• Walk Carefully: When walking outdoors, take small, slow steps, and try to keep your center of gravity directly over your feet. Avoid rushing or carrying too many items that could throw off your balance.
• Keep Walkways Clear: If possible, enlist help from family or neighbors to keep your sidewalks, driveway, and porch free of snow and ice. Use ice melt or sand for added traction.
• Install Handrails: Handrails on steps and pathways can provide added support, especially in icy conditions.

Driving Safely

Winter roads can be hazardous due to snow, ice, and reduced visibility. Older adults should take extra precautions when driving during winter weather. Here are some tips for driving safely during the winter:

• Check the Weather: Avoid driving in severe winter storms. Check the forecast before planning trips and postpone any non-essential travel if conditions are poor.
• Prepare Your Car: Get your vehicle winter-ready; keep tires in good condition, top off antifreeze, and have a full gas tank. Consider keeping emergency supplies in the car, such as blankets, a flashlight, extra gloves, and nonperishable snacks.
• Drive Slowly: Reduce speed on icy or snowy roads and increase the distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. Use headlights to improve visibility.
• Avoid Distractions: Stay focused on the road. Keep your hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and avoid phone use or other distractions.
• Consider Alternatives: If winter driving feels too risky, consider alternative options. Ask a family member for help, take public transportation, or use a rideshare service.

Heating a Home Safely

Heating a home during winter is essential, but it’s important to avoid potential hazards, such as carbon monoxide poisoning or accidental fires. Here are some tips to keep your home warm and safe:

• Use Space Heaters with Caution: If you’re using space heaters, keep them at least three feet away from flammable objects, such as curtains or bedding, and always turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Heating systems, especially those that burn gas, oil, or coal, can produce carbon monoxide. Install detectors in key areas of your home and test them regularly.
• Avoid Using Stoves or Ovens for Heat: Using a stove or oven as a heat source is dangerous and increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Check the Heating System: Have a professional inspect and service your heating system before winter. Ensuring it’s working efficiently can reduce the risk of breakdowns or safety issues.
• Layer Up: Wear warm clothing indoors, such as sweaters, thermal layers, and warm socks. This allows you to keep the thermostat lower, saving on heating costs.

Getting Appropriate Vaccinations

Winter is peak season for illnesses, such as influenza and pneumonia, which can be more severe for older adults. Keeping up with vaccinations can help protect you from seasonal illnesses.

• Flu Vaccine: The flu virus circulates more widely during winter. An annual flu shot is recommended for everyone, especially older adults, as it can reduce the severity and risk of complications from the flu.
• COVID-19 Vaccine: Staying current with COVID-19 vaccinations, including any recommended boosters, can provide additional protection during winter months when respiratory illnesses are more prevalent.
• Pneumonia Vaccine: Pneumonia can be life-threatening for older adults. Talk to your health care provider about getting a pneumonia vaccine, especially if you have chronic conditions that may increase your risk.
• RSV Vaccine: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can cause severe respiratory infections. Discuss the newly available RSV vaccine with your health care provider.

Planning for a Safe Winter

By taking precautions, you can stay safe and comfortable throughout the winter season. Remember to keep emergency contacts on hand and communicate regularly with family and friends so they can assist if you need help. Stay warm, stay safe, and make the most of the winter months!

The holiday season offers the chance to spend time with family and discuss long-term care options and estate planning. Though these topics may seem uncomfortable at first, the sooner they are addressed, the sooner a thoughtful plan can be put in place. Working with an experienced elder law attorney can help make the process easier. They can discuss options that will best meet your unique needs.

知名藝人遽然離世, 突顯資產規劃重要

最近，一位知名藝人的離世震驚了全球華人社群。知名演員大S（徐熙媛）的驟然離世，不僅讓娛樂圈和粉絲震驚，也引發了人們對遺產規劃重要性的討論，特別是在家庭關係和子女監護的層面。

遺產規劃不僅僅是富人的事

許多人認為只有超級富豪才需要進行遺產規劃，但事實上，無論資產多寡，若無妥善規劃，任何遺產——不論大小——都可能成為法律糾紛、財務管理不善以及家庭爭端的中心。大S的離世讓我們看到，婚姻、離婚、生育等重大人生事件都應促使我們重新檢視自身的遺產規劃。

離婚與過時的遺產計劃風險

大S於2010年與商人汪小菲結婚，育有一子一女。然而，兩人在2021年離婚，並因此涉及子女監護權的問題。離婚後，如果沒有及時更新遺產規劃文件，可能會產生嚴重後果。例如：若前配偶仍然是人壽保險或退休帳戶的受益人，他可能會繼承這些資產，而不是其他指定的繼承人。若離婚前所立的遺囑未更新，可能導致前配偶仍然擁有資產的控制權。以我個人經驗為例，我的一位客戶的丈夫去世後，她發現丈夫的保險受益人仍是前妻，因為他在離婚後從未更改受益人，導致保險金最終被前妻繼承。這再次強調了遺產規劃需要與時俱進。

台灣法律對遺產分配的影響

據媒體報導，大S的遺產估值約為新台幣10億元。如果她沒有立遺囑，根據台灣的《繼承法》，她的現任丈夫將繼承一半，剩餘的一半將由兩個孩子繼承。然而，如果她立有遺囑，她則可以自由分配資產，例如將更多的遺產留給子女。此外，大S的現任丈夫具俊曄公開表示，他將放棄繼承權並將其份額轉讓給大S的母親。然而，根據台灣法律，如果他放棄繼承權，他的份額將自動歸於大S的子女，而非其母親。在美國也是如此，繼承人可以放棄繼承權，但無法指定遺產的最終去向。若具俊曄希望大S的母親獲得資產，他需先接受遺產再進行贈與，這將帶來巨額稅務負擔。因此，如果希望資產傳承給父母，應在遺產計劃中明確指定。

子女監護與資產控制權

由於具俊曄並未正式收養大S的兩個孩子，因此汪小菲很可能會獲得孩子的監護權。這將帶來一個重大問題：如果孩子繼承了大S的全部遺產，因未成年無法直接管理財產，監護人（即汪小菲）將代為管理資產。換句話說，大S的前夫將間接掌控她的遺產。如果大S生前立有遺囑，她本可以指定現任丈夫為子女的監護人，確保她的資產由她信任的人管理。然而，在沒有遺囑的情況下，前夫可能會掌握她全部的遺產。正如我在講座中常說的：「如果你沒有遺產計劃，最不希望獲得你財產的人，最終可能會成為財產的掌控者。」

美國與台灣的遺產規劃差異

在美國，如果去世者無遺囑或信託，且沒有合格繼承人，財產將歸政府所有。因此，設立信託至關重要。此外，遺產計劃應包括兩類文件：

生前文件（如財務與醫療授權書）

身後文件（如遺囑與信託）

信託相較於遺囑更具優勢，因為遺囑需經過「遺囑認證」（probate），這是一個漫長且昂貴的法律程序。在加州，遺產認證費用通常約為遺產總價值的4-5%。例如，若房產價值100萬美元，遺產認證費用可能達到5萬美元。此外，法院計算遺產認證費用時，是根據總價值而非淨值。例如，若房產總值100萬美元但仍欠銀行80萬美元貸款，法院仍會以100萬美元計算費用，而非淨值20萬美元。

信託的重要性

使用信託而非遺囑的另一個好處是隱私保護。遺囑屬於公開文件，債權人可透過法院查閱並索賠，而信託則屬私人文件，無需對外公開。此外，遺囑必須經法院批准才能執行，這使其更容易引發爭議，而信託則可直接生效，減少訴訟風險。

遺產規劃應與時俱進

許多人制定遺產計劃後便置之不理，但財務狀況變化、搬遷或家庭結構變動時，應定期檢視和更新遺產計劃，以確保其仍然符合自身意願。

為孩子建立遺產計劃

遺產規劃不僅關乎金錢，還涉及價值觀的傳承。像大S這樣對文化具有影響力的人，可以透過信託確保子女獲得教育資源，並在適當的價值觀引導下成長。她的離世提醒我們，人生無常，應提前規劃，以確保親人能夠得到妥善照顧。

結論

大S的案例強調了遺產規劃的重要性，特別是對於家庭結構較為複雜的人來說，及早規劃不僅能確保資產順利傳承，也能避免不必要的糾紛。透過周全的遺產計劃，每個人都能為摯愛的家人提供保障，確保自己的遺願得以實現。

Notarizing Documents for Seniors With a Dementia Diagnosis

An Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis can be a challenging journey for the person and family alike. When the diagnosis occurs, a ticking clock begins on the timeline for getting proper and sound notarizations done for crucial legal documents.

What Does It Mean to Get a Document Notarized?

According to the National Notary Association, having a document notarized is a process that ensures the document is authentic. The Notary serves as an impartial screener who confirms the identity, willingness, and awareness of the person signing the document.

There are vital issues and implications to be aware of when having documents notarized for individuals with dementia.

Notarizing for a Person With Dementia: A Legal Gray Area

Having documents notarized for seniors with dementia leads to some legal gray areas. There are no laws that prohibit having documents notarized for individuals with cognitive impairments. However, the role of a Notary Public extends beyond the procedural formalities.

Notarizing documents for anyone who is cognitively impaired also comes with a dramatically increased risk for both fraud and elder abuse. This is an issue that Notaries are highly aware of and protect against.

Notaries must assess whether their document signers understand and are aware of the nature of the documents, their contents, and their details. They also must verify the signer’s identity.

Notaries must screen each signer to ensure they are signing the document willingly. The signer cannot be under the pressure or direction of any third party.

The Notary will refuse to notarize a document if they find that any of these conditions fail to meet the standard.

It’s critical for families to act ethically and responsibly in notarizing important documents for their aging loved ones with dementia. If your loved one is facing a dementia diagnosis, establish legal clarity as soon as possible to avoid uncertainties later.

How to Prep When Having Documents Notarized

The following tips will help you prepare:

• Make sure the Notary visits the signer at a time when they are cognitively aware.
• Arrange for the signer to meet privately with the Notary.
• Confirm what type of notarization you need on specific legal documents. If you need anything clarified, check with your attorney or the document recipient.
• Ensure the signer is prepared to present their identification. They also must be able to sign the document, if necessary, as well as the Notary’s record book. Some states also require a fingerprint impression.
• Ensure there are no blank spaces or dates on the documents. To combat fraud, a Notary will refuse to notarize if required entries are blank.

Legal Documents to Have Notarized for Dementia Diagnosis

Certain legal documents, more commonly notarized for seniors, serve the person’s wishes and protect them from undue influence. Those documents include the following:

Power of Attorney (General vs. Durable)

A power of attorney grants authority to a trusted individual to make financial and legal decisions on behalf of someone else. A general power of attorney is effective immediately. In contrast, a durable power of attorney remains in effect even if the signer becomes unable to handle their affairs.

Health Care Power of Attorney

This document designates a representative to make medical decisions when the individual is unable to do so. You may also hear it referred to as a health care proxy. Notarizing it ensures that all parties will respect the signer’s health care preferences.

Living Will

A living will outlines end-of-life medical preferences. Having it notarized provides assurance that medical choices align with the signer’s wishes.

Guardianship/Conservatorship

In cases where dementia has advanced significantly, establishing a legal guardian or conservator for your loved one. In securing notarized documents, you can ensure that the guardian responsibly manages your loved one’s financial and personal affairs.

Will or Trust

Notarizing a will or trust guarantees the proper distribution of assets after your loved one’s passing, minimizing potential disputes.

HIPAA Release Form

A HIPAA release form grants specific individuals access to the signer’s medical information, aiding health care decisions.

Financial Account Designations

You may also want to ensure that all parties will handle your loved one’s financial matters according to their preferences. To do this, you can work with a Notary to notarize designations on your loved one’s financial accounts.

Act Before It’s Too Late

The absence of specific laws surrounding notarial acts and dementia highlights the importance of being proactive. Waiting until the last moment to have something notarized may lead to legal difficulties or disputes.

As soon as you receive confirmation of your loved one’s dementia diagnosis, initiate the process of having key legal documents notarized. It’s essential you do this while your loved one can still articulate their wishes. This way, you can help protect them while reducing potential family conflicts.

從李玟的遺產案看長命契的利弊

2023 AARP Report Recommends Supports for Family Caregivers

Many older Americans choose to have their family members care for them as they age. Despite the comfort a familiar face may provide, there is a significant cost for the loved ones who sacrifice their time, and often their upward economic mobility, to ensure that they can secure proper care for their senior parent.

In a report issued in March 2023, AARP stresses the importance of supporting family caregivers in their financial, emotional, physical, and professional lives. The analysis gives a glimpse into the experiences of family caregivers and also offers recommendations on policies, practices, and programs – across public as well as private realms – that policymakers should consider enacting or enhancing in support of caregivers and the individuals who are in their care.

How Much Does It Cost to Be a Family Caregiver?

Being a family caregiver can come at a great financial cost. The average cost of caregiving has risen exponentially in the past several years, and the trend is expected to increase more over time.

In its report, AARP estimates the value of family caregiving in 2021 at $600 billion dollars in unpaid contributions – up from $470 billion dollars in 2017.

The monetary value of caregiving is not the only cost of care. For family caregivers, some of the intangible costs of included:

• spending an average of 18 hours per week to tend to the needs of their loved ones
• facing higher risks of chronic loneliness, which may have negative health effects
• neglecting their own self-care

What Are the Major Issues in Family Caregiving?

According to the AARP report, by 2034, the population of people over 65 will outnumber the population of children under 18. With this historic shift, the researchers suggest that the impact on family caregiving will become even more prominent in several key areas:

The Need for Tailored Support for Diverse Caregivers and Their Families

Family caregivers across diverse cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender identities often face concerns about access to support that is specific to their community. Ensuring that affordable, inclusive, readily available policies and services are in place to meet these needs of these caregivers will continue to be critical.

Direct Care Workforce Shortage

Amid a shortage of professional caregivers that only worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, AARP notes that the turnover rate among the direct care workforce averages between 40 percent and 60 percent each year. Failing to recruit and retain a dedicated workforce in caregiving as the aging population grows will inevitably add to the burden carried by unpaid family caregivers.

Economic Impact on Working Caregivers

Most family caregivers – nearly two-thirds of them in 2019, according to AARP – hold a full- or part-time job in addition to caring for their loved ones. These workers often take an economic hit because they need to split their time between their jobs and their home responsibilities.

Without such supports as telecommuting, paid leave, and respite care, they may have no choice but to call out of work, turn down promotions, or even leave their job altogether to dedicate themselves fully to providing care. This can then mean additional financial stress as well as adverse effects on their career and future earning potential.

A Growing Sandwich Generation

In 2019, about 30 percent of older Americans were living with their children or grandchildren. The so-called “sandwich” generation represents those who are responsible for caring for their children and their aging parents at the same time, while also working. These caregivers, who are likely to report more emotional and financial pressure, now tend to include workers across an ever-expanding age span – from 35 to 64.

Recommendations

The AARP’s report recommends specific policies and practices to support family caregivers going forward. These recommendations to policymakers include the following:

• Including family caregivers in planning and decision making across health care settings
• Improving access to respite care for family caregivers
• Ensuring that publicly funded programs and supports for caregivers are inclusive, culturally appropriate, and designed to meet the needs of diverse populations
• Offering family caregivers a tax credit
• Expanding protections for workers who rely on the Family and Medical Leave Act and related state programs while providing long-term care for family members, including instituting paid leave for working family caregivers
• Allowing for other programs that pay family caregivers
• Improving Social Security benefits for people who provide long-term care services to family members

Additional Resources

Having a care plan in place for your loved ones in advance may help decrease the financial costs and other stresses associated with paying for long-term care for aging adults. Your elder law attorney can help you create a comprehensive long-term care plan that will address the costs associated with tending to the people you love. 

What Is Hospice Care at Home?

Hospice care is a type of health care that patients with terminally ill conditions rely on at the end of their lives. This type of care focuses on pain management and emotional, spiritual, and familial support for patients nearing the end of their lives.

There are several options for receiving hospice care, including being cared for at home. The type of intimate care a patient receives while in hospice is more conducive to being received at the patient’s home. This becomes a team effort, and it helps to have a peaceful environment when receiving care.

Who Can Benefit From This Type of Care?

Patients with serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, dementia, kidney failure, or other fatal conditions benefit from hospice care. This type of care can help the patient live a more comfortable life while decreasing the emotional burden of grief for families by preparing them for the loss of their loved one.

When Is Hospice Recommended?

Hospice care should not only be considered by those who have loved ones nearing the end of their lives. While most of these services are generally reserved for people with six months or less to live, early hospice care can be beneficial for patients and their families as well.

You may wish to consider such services in the following cases:

• The patient has a serious decline in their physical well-being
• After a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
• You have decided to forgo any treatment to improve your physical treatment or care for your illness

Who Makes Up a Hospice Care Team?

Your hospice team can consist of many different types of people. Various professionals and volunteers may be involved in end-of-life care. Some of those you may see on your care team can include:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Social workers
• Spiritual advisors
• Trained volunteers

Who Pays for Hospice Home Care?

Like any other health care option, these services can quickly become very expensive. Fortunately, there are several ways to cover the cost, including:

Government Programs

If you qualify for government assistance, there may be insurance plans specifically designed to cover the cost of hospice care.

Seniors enrolled in Medicare Part A may qualify for a Medicare hospice care benefit. This benefit program allocates money to pay for such care at home.

For terminally ill patients on Medicaid, hospice care may be covered depending on the state.  

The Department of Veterans Affairs may also provide coverage for these care benefits for seniors who have served our country.

Private Insurance

Check the terms of your insurance policy to determine if your health insurance covers hospice care. Your policy may cover all or part of your hospice care needs.

Options for Uninsured Patients

Even if you do not have health insurance, you may still have coverage options. There are charitable organizations that work with elderly and disabled individuals who need help paying for hospice care services. Hospice care organizations also often have internal departments that work with patients who qualify for this type of care but are indigent or do not have health insurance.

Is In-Home Hospice Right For You?

Making this choice is an important part of your end-of-life care plan. Be sure to gather as much information as you can before deciding whether this type o care is best for you. For example, you may want to consult Medicare’s hospice compare website or CaringInfo.org’s website for other hospice locator tools.

If you have questions about Medicare or Medicaid, contact your elder law attorney to learn more.

Becoming a Family Caregiver for an Ailing Loved One

Taking on the responsibility of providing full-time care for an aging or disabled loved one can be a rewarding experience. Being a primary caregiver helps you rest assured that your loved one is receiving compassionate care from someone who will go above and beyond to ensure they are comfortable and looked after.

Despite your good intentions to create a comfortable environment for your loved one, full-time caregiving is a significant time commitment. There is also a financial reality that the caregiver must face. Fortunately, family members who want to serve as caregivers may have options to help cover the expense.

What Is a Caregiver, and What Do They Do?

Professional caregivers work intimately with seniors to meet their needs as they age. As individuals get older, their needs change and they may need more help going about their day.

Examples of the kinds of help caregivers provide include:

• Bathing and grooming
• Help with toileting
• Medical appointments and medication compliance
• Transportation
• Companionship
• Cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping
• Care for animals
• Laundry
• Coordinate benefit care/speak to insurance companies on the senior’s behalf, if authorized

Family Caregivers: Know the Downsides

Having a family member serve in the role of caregiver can make for a better experience for your loved one and, in some ways, give you peace of mind as well. However, there are some downsides to be aware of if you are considering becoming a family caregiver.

Your own health, both physical and emotional, can be negatively affected when taking on the burden of caring for a family member. Be sure to engage in self-care, maintain a healthy diet, and watch out for signs of stress and burnout. When you do need a break, consider looking into respite care.

If your loved one has specific medical issues that will require the attention and expertise of a professional health care provider, you may want to reassess whether you should take on the role of family caregiver.

Taking care of a loved one who is getting older or who is disabled will likely require a great deal of your time, too. You may find yourself not performing as well at work or having a longer commute as you fulfill the needs of your ailing loved one. Not to mention that your own immediate family may be missing out on valuable time with you while you are caregiving elsewhere.

In turn, this could mean you will have less time to hold down a full-time job. In fact, a 2020 AARP survey showed that about 20 percent of family caregivers reported experiencing a high level of financial stress. Nearly 30 percent of them stopped saving altogether as a result of providing care for their loved one.

In these challenging economic times, you must be able to support yourself while ensuring the best care for your aging family member.

Can Family Members Get Paid for Their Work as a Caregiver?

Fortunately, certain programs are available to help family members care for ailing relatives. You may need to do a bit of research to find the right option for your circumstances.

• Medicaid Self-Directed Care

For individuals on Medicaid, the Medicaid Self-Directed Care Program is one option that gives them the authority to manage their services. In certain states, this program offers recipients the ability to use the resources allocated for home care to pay a family member to help them with their daily needs. The Medicaid Self-Directed Care Program lets seniors have more autonomy over their care.

Note that such programs vary by state, however, and not all states will have an option like this. Each state may also use different criteria to define who qualifies as a “family” caregiver. Find your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more about the possibilities, or call your local Medicaid agency.

Note that, generally, Medicare will not cover the costs of caregiving by a family member.

• Veteran’s Benefits

If your loved one is a military veteran, there are special benefits available to cover their home care, including the Veteran’s Directed Home and Community Based Services program. This program gives veterans a flexible spending budget that the veteran can use to pay a family member to act as their caregiver.

• National Family Caregiver Support Program

Note that this program does not pay caregivers directly. Rather, it helps fund several different types of services for family caregivers, from training in caregiving to respite care. Learn more about this program.

• Long-Term Care Insurance

If you are thinking ahead to who will care for you as you age, you may consider long-term care insurance when creating an estate plan. Certain long-term care insurance policies allow the policyholder to pay family members to work as caregivers. However, that is not true for every policy. Some policies do not allow policyholders to pay family members to work as caregivers if they live in the policyholder’s home.

Before taking out this type of insurance policy, you should speak to your attorney to ensure you are properly advised.

Should you omit your children’s names in your trust if you don’t want to leave anything to them?

 

如果不想留財產給子女，應否在信託剔除子女的名字?

Are You Missing Out on Benefits? Identify the Programs Available to Seniors Like You

Older adults have access to hundreds of federal and state benefits programs. Many retirees meet the requirements for these aids, yet do not know they are eligible and miss opportunities to receive assistance. Others can feel overwhelmed by complex application processes.

BenefitsCheckUp, the National Council on Aging’s online resource, helps elders identify the federal and state assistance programs for which they are qualified. The database is free to access, and the National Council on Aging ensures personal information people enter into the website remains confidential.

The resource provides older people not only with individualized reports of the assistance programs that cover them, but also the details they may need on each program before applying, including contact information for the agencies administering the assistance.

How to Obtain an Eligibility Results Report

To get personalized Eligibility Results detailing the benefits programs to which you may apply, enter your information into the database on the BenefitsCheckUp website, starting with your ZIP code. Then select the programs that interest you, which offer support on any number of services, including:

• Health care and medication
• Food and nutrition
• Housing and utilities
• Aging in place and in-home care
• Income
• Disability services
• Long-term care, such as skilled nursing facilities
• Discounts and activities
• Tax help
• Crisis, legal, and general assistance
• Veterans’ programs

Once you enter details such as your date of birth and marital status, BenefitsCheckUp generates a report outlining the specific programs accessible to you, and identifies what other information each program requires.

The Eligibility Results reports have several user-friendly features:

• If you make errors filling in details or want to provide additional information, the website allows you to go back and revise your answers.
• After the website creates an individualized Eligibility Results report, you can save it as a PDF and email it to yourself or a loved one.

Family and Caregivers Can Use BenefitsCheckUp to Assist Their Loved Ones

Family members or caregivers of older adults can also use BenefitsCheckUp to help their loved ones learn about benefits programs. They can enter an individual’s information into the website on their behalf and get a report, which they can use to support their loved ones in applying for state or federal benefits.

This easy-to-use resource can help older adults and their families alleviate the stress associated with applying to state and federal benefits programs. Visit the BenefitsCheckUp website to use the tool.