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Elder Law Planning News | Life Care Planning News

This page is a collection of news article summaries related to elder care planning and life care planning - and how these news items will affect you and your loved ones in Southern Illinois. Read about elder care current events, life care planning legal news, and other recent events concerning how to plan you and your parents' golden years.

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Press Release - National Elder Law Month
May 29, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2010
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ELDER LAW ATTORNEY TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL ELDER LAW MONTH
[Carbondale, Illinois] – Elder Law Attorney Richard Habiger, of the southern Illinois Elder Law Firm Habiger & Associates Elder Law Office (HAELO), announced that his firm is participating in National Elder Law Month in May 2010 by providing a free Living Will and an Advance Medical Directive to residents of southern Illinois who are 55 years of age or older. He also announced that this offer of free legal documents for seniors is good until Labor Day, September 6, 2010. To take advantage of this opportunity, visit his website http://HabigerElderLaw.com or call 618-549-4529 or toll-free (in Illinois only) 800-336-4529.
Habiger is a nationally recognized elder law attorney and recently co-authored the Illinois edition of the national best-selling book “How to Protect Your Family’s Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets.” He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and a former president of the Illinois chapter of the Academy. Habiger also is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and Jackson County Bar Association.
With more than 37.8 million Americans 65 years or older and with baby boomers growing older, the importance of planning for one’s legal needs has become essential.
During the month of May, elder law attorneys throughout the country will commemorate National Elder Law Month by providing public seminars, living will days, elder law clinics and other activities that will educate the public. While the official commemoration will end in June, Habiger’s firm will continue to commemorate Elder Law throughout the summer months of June, July and August.
About the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
Established in 1987, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) is a non-profit association that assists lawyers, bar organizations, and others who work with older clients and their families. Members of NAELA are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and individuals with disabilities. The mission of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is to establish NAELA Members as the premier providers of legal advocacy, guidance and services to enhance the lives of people with disabilities and people as they age. NAELA currently has more than 4,000 members across the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. For more information or to schedule an interview with elder law attorney Richard Habiger, contact him at 618-549-4529 or toll-free at 800-336-4529.
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Effects of Dementia on Functioning and Judgment
May 14, 2010
Elder Law Attorney Richard Habiger attended a continuing legal education seminar on dementia entitled "Dementia, Effects on Executive Functioning and Judgment and the Role of Neuropsycholofy in Capacity Evaluations." The presenter, Dr. Alissa Wicklund, is associated with Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine.

Dr. Wicklund has post-doctoral training in Neuropsychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and has more than 10 years experience working with individuals with dementia and other neurologic conditions. Her private practice Neurobehavioral Associates, P.C. has locations in Orland Park and Lake Barrington. Dr. Wicklund can be contacted at awicklund@neurobehavior.org or 847-604-1519.

Free Seminars

Free Seminar on New Illinois Medicaid rules to implement DRA
Jul 13, 2010
Free Seminar July 15, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. on new Medicaid rules - which implement the federal Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) - at MidCountry Bank, 925 West Main Street, Carbondale, Illinois. If you, your spouse, parent, or other loved one will need long-term care in the next 5 years - whether at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing home - you will not want to miss this free seminar. Even if your loved one is already in a care facility, there are things that can be done to help save at least some of their life-time savings. If your loved one is not yet in a nursing home or other care facility, there are many more things that can be done and we may be able to save even more. The key is to not delay. Your first step is to attend this seminar!
Elder Law Seminar
May 08, 2010
Elder law attorney Richard Habiger will give a seminar on long-term care, asset protection, governmental benefits, and other elder law issues on July 13, 2010, 12:00 noon, at the United Methodist Church, Murphysboro, Illinois.
Elder Law Update Continuing Education Course
May 02, 2010
Elder law attorney Richard Habiger will give a presentation on Medicare and Medicaid at a one-day intensive program that will give attendees the most current information on elder law on June 17, 2010, at the Carbondale Civic Center, 200 S. Illinois Street, Carbondale, Illinois. The seminar is coordinated by the Continuing Education Institute of Illinois in cooperation with the University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine. Up to seven hours continuing education credits are available for: Case/Care Managers; Counselors; Marriage and Family Therapists; Nurse Practitioners; Nurses (RN & LPN); Nursing Home Administrators; Occupational Therapists and COTAs; Physical Therapists and PTAs; Social Workers. All professionals working with older adults (including Assisted Living Directors, Clergy, Home Care Professionals, Hospice Professionals, and Housing Managers) should attend. Habiger is a nationally-recognized elder law attorney and helped establish elder law in the 1980s as a distinct area of law practice thorough his work as the managing attorney at the SIU Law School clinical program for seniors.
Elder Law attorney available for presentations to groups
May 02, 2010
Elder Law attorney Richard Habiger is available to give a presentation to your group. Habiger has been practicing elder law nearly 30 years and recently co-authored the Illinois edition of the nationally best selling book "How to Protect Your Family's Assets from Devastating Nuring Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets." He has much knowledge and experience and wants to educate you and other members of the public on how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Free Seminar at Supportive Living Facility
May 01, 2010
Elder law attorney Richard Habiger, as part of his celebration of National Elder Law Month, will present a Free Seminar on Living Wills, Advance Medical Directives, and Powers of Attorney on May 10, 2010 at 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Prairie Living at Chautauqua Supportive Living Facility, 955 Villa Court, Carbondale, Illinois. Come learn whether you and your loved ones have "powerless" documents ... or need to sign new "powerful" advance directives. All those who attend will receive -- Free of Charge -- a Living Will and Advance Medical Directive. Habiger has been practicing elder law nearly 30 years, is nationally-recognized as having helped to establish elder law as a distinct area of law practice in the 1980s, is the author of a number of consumer guides on elder law, and is the co-author of the Illinois edition of "How to Protect Your Family's Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets."
Presentation to students at SIU School of Allied Health
Apr 10, 2010
At the invitation of Dr. Sandra Beebe PhD, Elder Law Attorney Richard Habiger gave a presentation to her students in the School of Allied Health at Southern Illinois University the evening of April 8, 2010. With energetic and probing questions by her career-oriented students, Habiger held forth nearly the entire 3 hour class period on a variety of elder law and health-related issues -- ranging from qualifying for Medicaid and Veteran's benefits to working with multi-disciplinary professionals such as social workers, nurses, and others who have a passion for working with seniors.

Community Activities

Secrets to Qualifying for Illinois Medicaid & Veterans' Benefits
Jul 15, 2010
State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville), State Rep. Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) and Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole are hosting their annual Senior Fair at the Carbondale Civic Center on July 29, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Learn about programs that benefit Illinois Seniors. Free informational brochures and Free health screenings will be available. Free admission. Door Prizes. Free Refreshments. Free Health Screenings. Elder Law Attorney Richard Habiger, co-author of the Illinois edition of "How to Protect Your Family's Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets", will be present to help seniors and their loved ones with questions about qualifying for Medicaid and Veterans' Benefits to help pay for the high-cost of long-term care at-home, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing home.
"Santa" Richard Habiger visists residents at Supportive LivingFacility
Jan 17, 2010
Elder law attorney Richard Habiger played the part of Santa at the annual Christmas party put on by Prairie Living at Chautauqua Supportive Living Facility. This is an annual event for the residents at the facility and their guests.

Gifts were handed out by "Santa" with an occasional hearty "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and "Merrrrrrrrry Christmas!"

Attorney Habiger said he loves "hamming" it up and likes to bring a little cheer to the residents at this season of the year. Additional photos of the event may be seen at Prairie Living's website.