Very exciting news from our office, beginning June 1st and running all throughout the month on Comcast channel 190, will be our new infomercial titled: Ask-A-Lawyer - and starring Pittsburgh/Wexford Elder Law Attorneys James Shields and Tom Boris!
The Attorneys are experts on the legal and financial issues facing Elder Law, matters that involve plans for Adult Care, Estate Planning, Probate, Inheritance Taxes, the list goes on. If you haven't been able to attend one of their many seminars in the Western Pennsylvania region, consider this an opportunity to become familar with information regarding practical matters that are so important to plan for. Below is the scheduled airings for the month of June on COMCAST CHANNEL 190.
TUESDAY, JUNE 1ST - 8PM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2ND - 5:30PM AND 8PM
THURSDAY, JUNE 3RD - 5:30PM AND 8PM
FRIDAY, JUNE 4TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
SATURDAY, JUNE 5TH - 4:30PM AND 7:30PM
SUNDAY, JUNE 6TH - 4:30PM AND 7:30PM
MONDAY, JUNE 7TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
TUESDAY, JUNE 8TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9TH - 12PM AND 6PM
THURSDAY, JUNE 10TH - 4:30PM AND 7:30PM
FRIDAY, JUNE 11TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
SATURDAY, JUNE 12TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
SUNDAY, JUNE 13TH - 4:30PM AND 7:30PM
MONDAY, JUNE 14TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
TUESDAY, JUNE 15TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16TH - 12PM AND 6PM
THURSDAY, JUNE 17TH - 4:30PM AND 7:30PM
FRIDAY, JUNE 18TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
SATURDAY, JUNE 19TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
SUNDAY, JUNE 20TH - 4:30PM AND 7:30PM
MONDAY, JUNE 21TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
TUESDAY, JUNE 22TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23RD - 12PM AND 6PM
THURSDAY, JUNE 24TH - 4:30PM AND 7:30PM
FRIDAY, JUNE 25TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
SATURDAY, JUNE 26TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
SUNDAY, JUNE 27TH - 4:30PM AND 7:30PM
MONDAY, JUNE 28TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
TUESDAY, JUNE 29TH - 5:30PM AND 8PM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30TH - 12PM AND 6PM
CHECK BACK FOR FURTHER LISTINGS
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For legal and financial answers to questions involving long term care, we provide expert ideas for your estate plan and financial portofolio. But we know there are many other questions, concerns, and complications facing caregivers today. Thats why we've partnered a relationship with personalized eldercare solution consultants, Age and Dignity Consulting, LLC.
Age and Dignity Consulting is committed to enhancing the well-being and dignity of our senior citizens with personalized and appropiate eldercare solutions. As seniors age, they are confronted with care needs that challange their independence and lifestyle choices. Sometimes, a sudden health event requires a quick decision about short and long-term care options. Frequently, though, a slow progression of need may develop with a chronic health concern so strategies for care are slowly implemented. Whether one suffers from a sudden health change or chronic Illness the vital decision about eldercare options can either enhance one's well-being or cause additional distress. Age and Dignity Consulting LLC is commited not only to find a personalized and appropriate eldercare solution for your loved one but also to respect and preserve their dignity as well. We'll have more information about our partnership, and their services in future articles. - 42 - 50
Though some new costs are involved for the industry, Pennsylvania Homecare Association Executive Director Vicki Hoak said they bring basic consumer protections that are justified.
And she noted a benefit will be realized from having the licensed agencies all listed eventually on the state health department's Web site, to help consumers find them.
"I think the timing is good," Ms. Hoak said. "As Pennsylvania's elderly population grows, this whole consumer movement to remain at home as long as possible, to age in place, has made the demand for these services really strong."
Stacy Mitchell, the health department's deputy secretary for quality assurance, said state officials have been in contact with more than 400 agencies they know of that fall under the new regulations, but twice that number may exist in the state. The department is trying to spread the word and have all agencies apply for a license by a Feb. 10 deadline.
The state is not out to punish those that do not comply, Ms. Mitchell said, but if agencies ignore requests to apply for licensing, they could face cease-and-desist orders.
"Our goal is to get them licensed or put them out of business," said Ms. Mitchell, noting the department is counting on licensed facilities following the rules to report any competitors they know of who ignore the new requirements after Feb. 10.
Congress may approve legislation that would permanently fix the estate tax at current 2009 levels. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) has come out in support of the move, and staff on the Ways & Means Committee plan to ensure that estate tax levels do not change from what they are today.
Right now the estates worth under $3.5 million are exempt from the estate tax (up to $7 million for a married couple). Estate wealth over $3.5 million would be taxed at 45 percent.
Without this change – which should be in place by the end of the year – there would be no estate tax at all in 2010. The estate tax would then reappear in 2011 with only a $1 million exemption with a tax of 55 percent for estates valued over that amount.
Some lawmakers would like to see a higher exemption amount and a lower tax for large estates. One suggestion has been to exempt all estates worth under $5 million from the tax, and only tax those over that amount at 35 percent.
As it is the change carries a $233 billion price tag for taxpayers, since the current federal budget relied on the anticipated sharp tax increase in 2011. Raising the exemption ceiling and lowering the tax amount for wealthy estates would further increase the cost, making such a change unlikely.
- 44 - 50A woman in the U.K. has effectively committed suicide via a living will. The woman, Kerrie Wooltorton, 26, drank poison at her home and then called an ambulance. She was conscious when she arrived at the hospital and handed doctors a letter stating that she only wanted to be made comfortable and did not want any life-saving measures.
According to doctors her wishes were very clear, and they were reluctant to intervene lest they be charged with assault. As far as they knew Ms. Wooltorton was mentally competent and able to refuse treatment.
Living wills allow people to decide what type of treatment they do or do not want to be subject to if they are unable to speak for themselves. They can require that all measures be taken to preserve life, or they can ask that no extraordinary measures be taken.
Living wills are typically used by terminally ill patients who wish to avoid painful end-of-life treatment when there is little chance of survival. This case is thought to be the first ever where a person effectively committed suicide by using a living will to prevent doctors from providing care.
Wooltorton’s family have stated that the doctors who allowed her to die should have tried to save her. The case is expected to ignite a debate over the use of living wills in the U.K. and elsewhere.
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Elder Law Offices of Shields and Boris
109 VIP Drive
Suite 102
Wexford, PA 15090
Phone: (724) 934-5044
Toll Free: (800) 879-0984
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