Attorney With The Hale Law Firm Remarks On Safer Homes For Seniors

Waxahachie, TX (Law Firm Newswire) September 9, 2013 – Homes may need modifications to be made safe for seniors, says a prominent elder law attorney.

Many older people prefer “aging in place,” staying in their homes, rather than moving to an assisted living facility. Staying in one’s home is more comfortable for most seniors and makes economic sense as well, since the cost of assisted living facilities is rising. However, there are changes seniors may want to make in order to make their home safer, according to John Hale, an elder law attorney based in the Dallas, Texas area.

“Home naturally feels safe,” said Hale. “But as people age, it is important to know that changes may need to be made in one’s home to keep it safe.”

Older people may have difficulty walking up and down stairs or getting in and out of chairs, and they may be at increased risk for accidents, such as burning themselves on a hot stove or slipping in the bathtub.

The first thing to do is take stock of the potential dangers in a senior’s home. The Home Safety Council has a website, MySafeHome.net, that points out potential hazards. Sometimes simple changes can help a lot, but they are not always obvious. The Safety Council recommends changes like installing brighter light bulbs and removing area rugs.

An elder with multiple health issues may benefit from having an occupational therapist visit the home to analyze potential problems and recommend modifications specific to the situation. Once the needs have been identified, the occupational therapist can write a plan for a contractor to follow. Modifications may include grab bars in bathrooms, threshold ramps at doorways or raising the height of chairs to make them easier to get out of.

Of course, cost is a concern for most seniors. If someone has long-term care insurance, their policy may pay for modifications, if the need for them is properly documented. A home equity loan or reverse mortgage are other options that can help pay for substantial modifications.

“Most seniors find living at home to be the preferable option,” said Hale. “Take care to make sure it’s a safe option, as well.”

Learn more at http://www.thehalelawfirm.com/

The Hale Law Firm
100 Executive Court, Suite 3
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Call: 888.425.3911

The Hale Law Firm
4925 Greenville Avenue #200
Dallas, TX 75206
Call: 888.425.3911

View Larger Map

• Texas Seniors Funding Medicaid With Life Insurance Policies
  The Texas legislature recently passed a bill which enables Texas residents to sell their life insurance policies to fund their Medicaid long-term care. Third-party companies typically buy the policies from seniors concerned about how to financially fund their long-term care needs in their later years and cash them in after the seniors die, keeping as much as 45 percent of the policy. Texas Gov. Rick Perry passed House Bill 2383, allowing Texas residents who hold a life insurance policy of at least $10,000 to sell it via a life settlement. The money typically goes directly into a nonrefundable account from […]
• Medical Care Access At Assisted Living Facilities Varies By State
  The “graying” of the United States population – more adults are 65 or older than ever before – means that consumer expectations and needs are also changing to reflect the population shift. One of the places where services are not yet meeting the demand is state assisted living facility regulations. According to the chair of the American Assisted Living Nurses Association, regulations vary from state to state regarding what medical needs can be addressed in an assisted living facility. These regulations mean that depending on the state, an individual may develop a relatively benign medical issue which cannot be addressed […]
• The Basics of Assisted-Living Facilities
  Many seniors are attracted to the conveniences and safety an assisted-living facility can offer. Assisted-living facilities became popular in the early 1980s, appealing to older individuals who wanted more support than they could afford to receive at home, while not yet needing the full services of a nursing facility. An assisted-living residence allows seniors to maintain much of their independence, with the added benefits of a built-in community and services. But keep in mind that though it is usually a transition residence, many seniors move in without thinking about how the move is a short-term solution. You may find a […]
• How To Best Fund and Support Growing Need for Quality Nursing Homes Still Being Examined
  The Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is carefully watching the Texas Legislature regarding Medicaid expansion. Regardless of how the legislature votes, the THCA is concerned about how to maintain access for seniors to quality nursing home care. Medicaid funding levels that adequately support seniors’ nursing home care must be maintained, said President of THCA Steve Graves. According to the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the 2014-2015 agency budget calls for a 16.84 percent increase in Medicaid spending. That would be $925 million total, and $372 million in General Revenue (GR), in order to fully over the cost for the […]
• Researchers Are Looking Closely At Green Tea Extract And New Experiences In The Battle of Alzheimer’s Disease
  Green tea extract may help battle the dreaded neurodegenerative disease. So might taking up new hobbies. Researchers in Michigan have discovered that green tea extract interferes with the formation of damaging plaques implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The new study, out of the University of Michigan, seems to indicate that an extract from green tea can battle Alzheimer’s disease. There is a molecule researchers identified in the tea which they found can prevent the damage to proteins in the brain commonly associated with the development of Alzheimer’s. The growth of damaging proteins, metal-associated amyloids, was controlled in lab […]