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As a person ages, they begin the Elder Care Journey.  At first, the person may be in good health. But over time, chronic health problems develop and the person may need help to remain at home. VA benefits and Medicare can help to pay some costs, but eventually other governmental programs or private sources must be used.

Life Care Planning, Estate Protection, Disability,
VA & Medicaid Assistance Lawyers

The Elder Care Journey

As a person ages, they pass down what professionals call the Elder Care Continuum ... but what I like to call the Elder Care Journey. At the beginning of the Journey, a person may be in good health - with no functional limits and living at home. At this point along the path, Medicare and supplemental health insurance "cares" and will cover acute health issues. But over time, chronic health problems develop and the person may need help to remain at home. In time, memory or mobility issues arise and the person may need to move to an assisted or supportive living facility. Generally speaking, at this juncture, Medicare no longer "cares" and will not pay for care at the facility. For some, there are governmental programs such as VA benefits that can help to defray some, perhaps all, of the costs. At the next point along the Journey, a transition to a nursing home, Medicaid "cares" . . . if you qualify financially. It is at this juncture that almost every one exhausts their assets - if they fail to work with an experience and knowledgeable elder law attorney. Before you, your spouse, or your parents risk the the loss of your home or the need to spend-down life-time savings call for a free telephone consultation.

Elder Care Continuum




Habiger & Associates Elder Law Office (HAELO) provides legal services to elderly or disabled persons in Southern Illinois. The founder of the firm, Richard Habiger, is an elder law attorney with more than 30 years experience. We are an Elder Law and Life Care Planning Law Firm that provides legal and care coordination assistance, including: Medicaid planning; asset protection; estate protection; Medicaid applications; Medicaid appeals; VA pension benefits planning and applications for veterans and their surviving spouses; planning for those with Alzheimer's, dementia, or other forms of memory loss, and those who have suffered a stokeHospice planning; and special needs planning, including special needs trusts and supplemental needs trusts.

HAELO is located in Carbondale Illinois, and serves clients in twenty-seven Southern Illinois counties south of Interstate 70 highway. Southern Illinois Counties: Jackson County, Williamson County, Union County, Franklin County, Perry County, Saline County, Jefferson County, Hamilton County, Johnson CountyRandolph County, Wayne County, White County, Washington County, Edwards County, Monroe County, Wabash County, Richland County, Clay County, Marion County, Clinton County, Bond County, Fayette County, Effingham County, Jasper CountyCrawford County, Massac County, Pulaski County, Alexander County, Pope County, Hardin County, Gallatin County, and Lawrence County.
Southern Illinois Cities & Towns: Carbondale, Murphysboro, Carterville, Herrin, Marion, Anna, Vienna, Metropolis, Harrisburg, West Frankfort, DuQuoin, Benton, Chester, Pinckneyville, Mt. Vernon, McLeansboro, Carmi, Fairfield, Nashville, Waterloo, Centralia, Salem, Albion, Mt. Carmel, Flora, Olney, Lawrenceville, Newton, Robinson, Jonesboro, Eldorado, Shawneetown, Ridgway, Sparta, Golconda, Johnston City, Marissa, Coulterville, Carlyle, Ullin, Tamms, Elizabethtown, GalatiaWayne City, Cobden, Lake of Egypt, Goreville, Brookport, Olive Branch, Cave-in-Rock, Carrier Mills, Energy, Cambria, Zeigler, Royalton, Christopher, Rosiclare, Sesser, Okawville, Woodlawn, Thompsonville, Steeleville, Raleigh, Olmsted, Baldwin, Villa Ridge, Mounds, Tunnel Hill, Red Bud, Trenton, New Baden, Ewing, Dix, Norris City, Creal Spring, Bridge Port, Sumner, Waltonville, Breese, Aviston, Germantown, Whittington, Vandalia, and Ina.