In Michigan, we have a new health-care option to help Michigan seniors and elders live at home longer, rather than live in a nursing home. PACE provides community-based services for seniors who are “dual-eligible” for both Medicare and Medicaid. It supplements an adult day-care setting with in-home and referral services, with the hope that it…
Author Archives: Christopher J. Berry
Early Stage Alzheimer’s Social Club
The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Michigan is still accepting registrations for their upcoming Early Stage Social Club. The Early Stage Social Club is a 4 week module that allows individuals in the early stages of dementia to get together with others and share in interactive activities together. Activities in the past have included yoga, a…
Is Insurance the Answer to Michigan Long-Term Care Planning?
A recent USA Today article states that there is an increase in seniors living over the age of 90. According to author Haya El Nasser “The number of people living to age 90 and beyond has tripled in the past three decades to almost 2 million and is likely to quadruple by 2050”. Seniors who…
Changes to Michigan Medicaid Effective April 1, 2012
As a Michigan elder law attorney I stay abreast of changes to the policy manual that controls Michigan Medicaid. DHS has updated the proposed bridges manual which means some of the rules regarding Michigan Medicaid will be changing effective April 1, 2012. Some of the proposed changes have to do with Arm’s Length Transactions, Fair…
Alzheimer’s Disease and Michigan Elder Law
Alzheimer’s and elder law go hand in hand with one another. Alzheimer’s legal planning is a growing practice area in our Michigan law firm. Many of our elder law and Veterans Benefits cases involve assisting loved ones who have Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes a loss in memory, thinking and reasoning…
Michigan Medicaid Tax on Health Benefits
As a Michigan Medicaid lawyer, I stay abreast of what our law makers are up to in Lansing. The Michigan governement has been busy working on a new way to fund Medicaid. Medicaid is a governmental health insurance that is used by almost 20% of Michigan’s resideents. That is about 2 million people including children,…
How The VA Treats Asset Transfers and Homesteads Changing?
Fellow elder law & VA benefit attorney colleague, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) member, and all around great attorney Victoria Collier, met with the new VA Pension & Fiduciary Services department, including David McLenachen. Through the meeting there were some indications that the VA Pension & Fiduciary Services department may make some changes…
Not All Michigan Elder Law Attorneys are Created Equal
I had a client come into my Oakland County elder law office after getting charged over $6,000 by a prominent Macomb County elder law attorney, and frankly I was taken a back. I was not shocked by the fees, no, I was shocked at how what this elder law charged her for made absolutely no…
How do I pay for Long-Term Care in Michigan?
How Do I Pay for Long-term Care Costs in Michigan? As Michigan elder law attorneys, one of the ways I help families is finding sources to pay for the exceedingly high costs of long-term care. In Michigan, I regularly meet with seniors, veterans and family who are paying between $5,000 to $12,000 per month in…
Qualifications for Michigan Veterans Benefits
As a Michigan elder law attorney I see that the cost of elder care is going up and people are searching for new ways to help pay for those expenses. People want to find ways to afford long-term care costs and still making sure that their loved ones are being cared for properly. One such…