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By Dr. Deidra R. Woods, special to the Times DR. DEIDRA R. WOODS Tampa Bay Times Monday, April 15, 2013 4:30am Most people would choose to die at home surrounded by loved ones rather than in a hospital — but that is not always the way it works out. As a physician involved in hospice care, I was not surprised to read that a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that although many have thought about end-of-life care and discussed it with family members, few have spoken with doctors or have had their wishes noted correctly in their medical records.

Do your loved ones know what kind of medical care you would want if you were too ill or hurt to express your wishes? Dont wait until it’s too late! In honor of National Healthcare Decisions Day, Attorneys from The Elder Law Center of Kirson & Fuller will be speaking on Advance Directives while provide direction to your loved ones on what to do if you’re unable to make medical decisions on your own. You have two opportunities to attend! Date: Tuesday April 16th Time: 10:00am-11:00am Speaker:Heather C. Kirson, Esq. Event Location: Emeritus at Conway, 5501 E. Michigan Street Orlando, FL 32822 RSVP: (407) 277-7225 or Date: Tuesday April 16th Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm Event Location: Emeritus at Ocoee, 80 N. Clarke Rd. Ocoee FL 34761 Speaker: Patti Fuller, B.C.S., Esq. RSVP: (407)299-2710 Light refreshments will be served and there will be a door prize raffel!

Join us for one of ouir FREE seminars to learn about legal issues facing seniors. Attorney Heather C. Kirson and Florida Bar Board Certified Attorney Patricia T. Fuller from The Elder Law Center of Kirson & Fuller will discuss Estate Planning, Medicare, Medicaid along with VA benefits that can help pay for long term care. Make plans now to attend. This month’s seminars are being held on March 12th at 6:00pm at the Winter Park Community Center (721 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789) and on March 21st at 6:00pm at the Marks Street Senior Center (99 E. Marks Street, Orlando, FL 32803). Please call (407) 422-3017 for reservations.

By Tia Mitchell Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau TALLAHASSEE — Senate Democrats and Republican voiced support on Thursday for a proposal to subsidize private insurance policies for low-income families as an alternative to expanding Medicaid. The new program, called Healthy Florida, would be largely paid for with the $55 billion the federal government offered the state to expand Medicaid.

Article provided by Elder Law Answers. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides health care benefits to veterans. The plan covers a number of health care services, including preventative services, diagnostic and treatment services, and hospitalization. The VA also offers a number of long-term care options through its health plan.

Provided by Elder Law Answers As a consequence of congressional gridlock, $85 billion in automatic, across-the-board spending cuts are starting to take effect. We’ve heard the dire warnings about the impact: air travel delays, 70,000 children forced out of Head Start, cutbacks in food inspections, understaffed fire departments, 700,000 fewer jobs created . . .  the list goes on.

Join us for one of ouir FREE seminars to learn about legal issues facing seniors. Attorney Heather C. Kirson and Florida Bar Board Certified Attorney Patricia T. Fuller from The Elder Law Center of Kirson & Fuller will discuss Estate Planning, Medicare, Medicaid along with VA benefits that can help […]

Provided by Elder Law Answers: One of the greatest fears of older Americans is that they may end up in a nursing home. This not only means a great loss of personal autonomy, but also a tremendous financial price. Depending on location and level of care, nursing homes cost between $40,000 and $180,000 a year. Most people end up paying for nursing home care out of their savings until they run out.

Will or Trust, Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Power of Attorney. Even after a loved one has moved into a nursing home, legal strategies can be used to protect assets. Generally this will require having a suitable durable power of attorney.

An additional 900,000 Floridians would be eligible for Medicaid coverage if the state were to lower requirements as called for by ACA. The Agency for Health Care Administration estimates the cost at $3 billion over 10 years. A study by the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University reached a different conclusion, a net savings of $100 million per year.