Navigating the Probate Process: Insights from a Probate Lawyer

The journey through probate can seem like a complex and daunting path, especially during a time of grief and loss. Located in the heart of communities such as Miami, Pinecrest,...

Continue Reading

Why Aren’t Banks Protecting Elders

02.21.24 P42 Parent Blog 2

My husband has dementia which is why I did our taxes! Was it enjoyable, no but now that it’s over I’m thrilled that I know the process of compiling a...

Continue Reading

Managing the Legacy: Best Practices for Trust Administration

In the vibrant heart of Florida’s communities—from Miami to Pinecrest, South Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and beyond—families and individuals grapple with the complex process of managing legacies. Parent Your...

Continue Reading

Strategies for Coping with Loss and Ensuring Planning Reflects Your Current Wishes

02.15.24 P42 Parent Blog 1

Has your spouse or another loved one recently passed away? We know that this time around Valentine’s Day is a particularly poignant time where your feelings of loneliness and grief...

Continue Reading

Foundation of Security: Understanding the Role of a Trust Attorney

In the dynamic and culturally rich regions of Miami, Pinecrest, South Miami, Coral Gables, and Coconut Grove, securing financial stability and legacy for future generations is a top priority for...

Continue Reading

Fighting for the Vulnerable: The Need for an Elder Abuse Attorney

In the picturesque communities of Miami, Pinecrest, South Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and the surrounding areas in Florida, the silent yet grave issue of elder abuse persists. Parent Your...

Continue Reading

Will You Need to Pay Your Parent’s Florida Nursing Home Bill in the New Year?

01.22.24 P42 Parent Blog 2

Do you currently have a parent in a Florida nursing home? Were you aware that there is a question about whether children will need to pay an aging Florida parent’s...

Continue Reading

Continuing the Care: Why a Durable Power of Attorney is Essential

Navigating through life’s uncertainties requires preparation and foresight, particularly when it pertains to legal and healthcare decisions. In the diverse and dynamic communities of Miami, Pinecrest, South Miami, Coral Gables,...

Continue Reading

With a New Year Ensure Long-Term Care Planning is at the Top of Your Priorities

01.08.24 P42 Parent Blog 1

Being with your parents in the New Year, have you moved long-term care planning for them to the top of your priorities for the New Year? You are aware that...

Continue Reading

Championing Rights: The Power of Elder Law Advocacy

In the diverse and vibrant communities of Miami, Pinecrest, South Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and the surrounding Florida areas, elder law advocacy stands out as a crucial service for...

Continue Reading

Navigating Declines in Health with Aging Parents Over the Holidays

12.25.23 P42 Parent Blog 2

Do your aging parents live in the Sunshine State of Florida? Are you visiting them during the holidays? Do you look forward each holiday season to the wonderful time spent...

Continue Reading

After the Farewell: Navigating the Complexities of Estate Administration

In the tapestry of life, the certainty of change is woven with precision and care. For the families and individuals in Miami, Pinecrest, South Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and...

Continue Reading

Florida Medicaid Considerations You Need to Know When You Make Holiday Gifts

12.11.23 P42 Parent Blog 1

As you await the holidays and you know you will be seeing friends and especially family, are you thinking about gift giving?  Do you want to give your adult children...

Continue Reading

Understanding Florida Medicaid and Long-Term Care for Today’s Seniors

11.21.23 P42 PYP Blog Image

As a senior, are you wanting to have a better understanding of Florida Medicaid and long-term care? As we age, understanding long-term care is extremely important. Long-term care goes beyond...

Continue Reading

Key Indicators Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s May Need Additional Support Outside the Home

11.7.23 P42 PYP Blog Image

Did you know that there is probably no adversary more formidable than Alzheimer’s Disease?  It is a disease characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and various behavioral changes. Then, as...

Continue Reading

Do Spouses Need Powers of Attorney to Care for Each Other?

10.16.23 P42 PYP Blog Image

Are you married? Do you and your spouse have a Florida power of attorney? Are you aware that a Florida power of attorney (POA) is a legal instrument that grants...

Continue Reading

Help Your Parents Get the Information They Need During Medicare Open Enrollment

10.9.23 P42 PYP Blog Post

Do you have aging parents on Medicare?  Were you aware that Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period begins in October? You need to know that during this enrollment period every year,...

Continue Reading

Are Your Aging Parents at Risk of Falling Right Now?

p42.Reaves.Blog.September.2

Do you currently have aging parents living in Florida? Are they still living in their own home where they raised their children? As you watch them age, are you concerned...

Continue Reading

Are Your Aging Parents Protected From Florida Guardianship?

p42.Reaves.Blog.September.1

Have you ever wondered what would happen to your aging parents if they were suddenly incapacitated due to an accident, injury or disease?  As they get older, what would happen...

Continue Reading

Essential Summer Safety Tips for Aging Parents as Temperatures Rise

Do you and your family enjoy the arrival of summer, with longer days, cherished moments with senior loved ones, tasty cookouts, and refreshing swims at the pool or beach? Summer...

Continue Reading

Key Reasons Why Your Aging Parents Should Not Put Off Getting a Medical Alert Systems

p42.Reaves.Blog.August.1

Did you know medical alert systems play a crucial role in providing emergency assistance and saving lives, especially for our aging parents who may face increased risks of health-related emergencies,...

Continue Reading

Exploring the Relationship between Wills and the Florida Probate Process

p42.Reaves.Blog.July.2

With less than half of all Americans, according to research, having an estate plan in place today, have you taken the time to create one? We are very aware that...

Continue Reading

Why Updating Your Estate Plan If You Are Relocating to a New State is Crucial

p42.Reaves.Blog.July.1

As you age, are you thinking you may need assistance in the future? Do you currently have a Florida estate planning attorney? Your attorney can assist you in making sure...

Continue Reading

Estate Planning Steps to Take When an Aging Parent Has Cancer

p42.Reaves.Blog.June.2 (1)

Have you recently been told by your aging parent that he or she has cancer?  When you learned this devastating news, did questions rush through your head? Questions like:  How...

Continue Reading

Key Reasons Why You Need a Florida Elder Law Attorney Nearby

p42.Reaves.Blog.June.1

As you age, are you thinking you may need assistance in the future? Do you currently have a Florida estate planning attorney?  Your attorney can assist you in making sure...

Continue Reading

Recognizing the Power of the Boomer Generation and the Perks of Aging

dec 25

As Boomers age, we must live up to our reputation as an explosive generation. Part of the “unseen elder” syndrome is our fault. We allow others to treat us as though we’re...

Continue Reading

Hospice and Medicare: Senior Abuse?

dec 15

My client’s 94-year-old mother was killed while in hospice. How? She fell out of bed, broke her femur, and died within days. She fell out of bed because the hospice...

Continue Reading

Elders Can’t Survive Storms Without Help – We Are Obligated as a Culture to Create an Infrastructure to Help

nov 25 new

Kaiser Health News (KHN) and AARP are great at espousing policy but ask them for “boots on the ground” assistance, and they refer you to a government agency. The last...

Continue Reading

How Old is Too Old to Be the President of the United States?

biden nov 11

What’s in a number? Forty-eight-year-old, Bret Stephens, a New York Times opinion columnist, thinks the number 86 is too old to be the President of the United States. This is the...

Continue Reading

The Constant Battle to Protect Our Elders

oct 25

As I write this, I’m on hold with the Alliance for Aging. This private, non-profit agency assists Elders in qualifying for Medicaid and other benefits. This was my third attempt...

Continue Reading

Dementia is Not a Given

oct 15

I have clients of all ages – some children and some parents. One client, an 87-year-old lady with dementia, only has me in her world. Her daughter predeceased her. Could...

Continue Reading

Why Aren’t Banks Protecting Our Elders?

sep 25

My husband has dementia which is why I learned to do our taxes! Was it enjoyable? No, but now that it’s over, I’m thrilled that I understand the process of...

Continue Reading

What You Should Know about Durable Powers of Attorney and Health Surrogacies

sep 15

There are two documents everyone needs in their estate plan:  The Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) and a Health Surrogacy or Advanced Health Directive. Both documents are used when for...

Continue Reading

Navigating the Airport Wheelchair System

aug 29

Wheelchair provider companies at most large airports have no competition, so they don’t have to try … and it shows. When Dad first needed a wheelchair, I used to drop...

Continue Reading

The Best Way Out is Through

aug 15

I am sometimes sad; upset with the hand I was dealt. I feel as though I can’t catch a break. It seems the whole world is against me, and I...

Continue Reading

Wisdom, experience and knowledge are how Sully landed plane in water

cpt. sullenberger-3

When I was thirty, forty and fifty I had parties celebrating my age!   Then fifty-five arrived… whoops, next I’d be sixty! For the following five years I lied about my age...

Continue Reading

Finances, Family and Death

finances, children, elders

Money conversations among family members can be a monster rearing its ugly head.  Although Durable Powers of Attorney (DPOA) are in place which allow for shared responsibility and shared communication,...

Continue Reading

Advice for Elder Law and Life Two Documents That Solve Multiple Problems: DPOA and Living Will

DPOA

There are two documents everyone needs once they are adults.   The Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) and an Advanced Healthcare Directive/Living Will. These documents are used when you’re in a...

Continue Reading

That’s the dream

that's the dream-2

At 73, Hips swinging in her bodycon Armani dress, she walks across the tile floor, heels clicking.  Ahhh, it’s good to be tall!  She meets people’s eyes, smiles, demurely looks...

Continue Reading

COVID Hypocrisy

PYP_CovidHypocrisy2 copy

Slowly we’re getting vaccinated, tested and the ‘positivity’ rate is coming down.  We still have all the CDC guidelines in place and the media is warning us of another possible...

Continue Reading

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BE A CAREGIVER

Image for Tips Article #2_revised

Don’t you love the advice given by periodicals, talk shows and the internet on how to age or be a caregiver?  Everyone has advice but no real solutions.  Until you...

Continue Reading

Estate plan

PYP_EstatePlan

I was visiting my client at her Assisted Living Center on a fabulous campus that includes an Independent Living Tower and a Nursing Home.  As I walked up to have...

Continue Reading

Good health, education and an economic environment

Hilary Pelosi

I listened to Hillary Clinton (#HillaryClinton) and Nancy Pelosi (#NancyPelosi) chat and praise each other on Secretary Clinton’s podcast, You and Me Both which aired January 18, 2021, (#youandmeboth).  Both...

Continue Reading

“Microaggressions” and “implicit bias”

Travel Tile Photo Collage

Microaggressions”  and “implicit bias” are not new words but have come into mainstream verbiage because of the #metoo and #blacklivesmatter movement.  The broad definition of both is remarks or actions...

Continue Reading

The vaccine is here!

Fireworks! Applause! Confetti!

The vaccine is here!  (Fireworks! Applause! Confetti!)  But is it?  I applaud Florida for vaccinating the over 65 crowd first but not the manner in which it’s done.  How many...

Continue Reading

Wow, 2020 is over!

happy new year-2

Wow, 2020 is over.  Phew!  Yet, think about it, 12 years ago we were all ringing our hands at the end of 2008 as the Great Recession a/k/a the Financial...

Continue Reading

Grace and Virtue

ben carson-4

We value virtue but do not discuss it. The honest bookkeeper, the faithful wife, the earnest scholar get little of our attention compared to the embezzler, the tramp, the cheat....

Continue Reading

Technology for Caregivers

technology senior

The Best Tools and Technology for Long-Distance Caregivers  Many caregivers live too far away from their loved ones to provide hands-on care. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t take care...

Continue Reading

THAT AGE OLD STORY OF LOVE & GLORY

Lovestory

I think of some of the “senior” love stories I’ve heard and seen.  One favorite is my maternal grandmother and grandfather — Mimi and Dad.   Dad died at the relatively...

Continue Reading

Resiliency

Resiliency

What more can happen to us?!?  Pandemic, police killings, protests, riots . . .  take a breath!  Why has this happened.  All this chaos!  ARGH!  One answer is hubris.  Most...

Continue Reading

Good news and gratitude

gratitude-sextoys

Senior Sex Toys was one of the many ideas I had for this week’s column.  Aren’t we all tired of Covid 19 and its grizzly counts?  No one is counting...

Continue Reading

Celebrate

queen2

Did you know that Dr. Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, was the Captain of his High School Basketball team and he’s “about” 5’7” tall?...

Continue Reading

Find Good in the Bad

Covid19-frances

Thank goodness seniors have wisdom, creativity and the confidence to draw upon them in a time of crisis.  The bad news is everywhere – either you’re at risk for becoming...

Continue Reading

Reflections on being 90, 95 or 100

Reflection2

In Great Britain, when one of her subjects turns 100, Queen Elizabeth sends them a birthday card.  Next year her husband will join those ranks.  This year there are 13,000...

Continue Reading

Getting involved

Getting involved-1

Studies abound about seniors who are lonely or feel isolated.  It turns out it’s not as bad as we thought.   Some statistics: loneliness surveys from AARP and the University of...

Continue Reading

‘Death at home’

Dying home-3b

‘Death at home’ has become a societal priority and the scene painted is idyllic – the patient is ‘at home’, in bed, surrounded by loved ones in a familiar environment. ...

Continue Reading

AGEISM – ALIVE AND WELL

Ageism-3 sign

As the population looks to elect a President over the age of 75, the exact opposite is happening in the workplace.  In 2018 the Equal Opportunity Commission, the nation’s workforce...

Continue Reading

Spousal Refusal

Spousal refusal-2-b no borders

Spousal refusal is a legally valid Medicaid planning option in just two states: New York and Florida. By way of background, certain income and assets are exempt from Medicaid if...

Continue Reading

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

New year-2

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”  . . . “old habits die hard”  . . . “you’ve made your bed, now you have to lie in it” and,...

Continue Reading

Beware of Reverse Mortgages

Reverse mortgage

My parents had a Reverse Mortgage.  When they moved out in 2014 the house was returned to the Department of Housing and Urban Development through a process called a Deed...

Continue Reading

DEMENTIA – BE RESPECTFUL

Dementia-2

Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia, is a bit like “mental illness” – we lower our voice when we mention that someone in our family or “circle” has been diagnosed. Further,...

Continue Reading

Why Aren’t We Worried About Our Presidents Losing Cognitive Function?

Presidents Losing Cognitive Function

Why Aren’t We Worried About Our Presidents Losing Cognitive Function? In 2020 we will elect a new President.  In 2017, Donald Trump, at the age of 70, was the oldest...

Continue Reading

PARTY HEARTY WITH EVERYONE!

PARTY HEARTY WITH EVERYONE

????IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR????  sings Andy Williams in his iconic holiday song.  Yet for many seniors it’s the worst time.  They no longer have family or...

Continue Reading

SEX and the single senior

Sex

Sex and the single senior or alive and well.  Simply because we look old doesn’t mean that fantasies of throbbing members and wet flowers are gone.  In fact, STDs (Sexually...

Continue Reading

Hospice and Medicare Can be a Deadly Cocktail

policing hospices-another one-3

My client’s 94 year old Mother was killed while in Hospice.  How?  She fell out of bed, broke her femur and died within days.  She fell out of bed because...

Continue Reading

Policing hospice

Policing hospice-4-test

The Son wakes up at all hours of the night.  He hears his Mother groaning, her cries and sees her contorted face when she tries to hide the pain.  He...

Continue Reading

Six Elder Abuse Myths

Top 6 Myths

There are many misconceptions about how, why and how often abuse occurs. Myth No. 1: Most elder abuse occurs in nursing homes Fact: Most elder abuse occurs by family, trusted friends,...

Continue Reading

87% of US hospices surveyed had deficiencies, inspector general says

hospice-gty-er-190708_hpMain_4x3_992

A pair of startling new reports from the U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesOffice of Inspector General paints a troubling picture of America’s hospice system — with serious deficiencies...

Continue Reading

HIPPA SHMIPPA

HIPPA

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is legislation that provides data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information.  That’s not all it does  . ....

Continue Reading

Do you think you’re ready ? Well, you’re not.

You think you are ready

Thank you readers for all your wonderful, validating comments about my very personal article in discussing Mom.  I also want to thank Raquel Garcia, the Associate Editor, for encouraging me...

Continue Reading

Mom goes to nursing home

background boxes copy

The hardest thing I ever did was put my 87 year old Mother’s belongings in a 4 X 4 box and admit her to a nursing home.  We had run...

Continue Reading

Hospice Care & Palliative Care – When to use Them

Hospice care

Hospice a word that is synonymous with “end of life” care.  Palliative  – a little more confusing and often confused with ‘end of life’.  The two are very different therapies...

Continue Reading

How to Avoid Falls at Home

A practical guide for seniors and their family members. We would like to provide you with some practical information on how to prevent the fall of older people, who may...

Continue Reading

What did Luke Perry teach us.

Luke-Perry-2

LUKE PERRY (90210) SHOWED US HOW TO DIE. Luke Perry suffered a major stroke at 52. Like many in the movie industry, he had a blended family . . ....

Continue Reading

We’ve Grown Up But Not Old

Frances-face-225x300

“The trick is growing up without growing old.”   Casey Stengal Most of my 65-and-over friends work – one has a retail store, another (at 80) still does Public Relations for...

Continue Reading

Video: Statistics Don’t Lie. Family are the Biggest Abusers

Family are the biggest abusers

Who are the worst exploiters of seniors? Family, Friends, and Trusted Professionals! Watch the video to find out more.

Continue Reading

TECHNOLOGY: HELP DON’T HINDER SENIORS

This past week I was with a client for whom I do legal work.  I adore her, a retired college professor with a great sense of humor!  She has mobility issues...

Continue Reading

PREPLANNING TOOLS

Preplan

As everyone is aware, the mantra of Parent Your Parents is two-fold – DO NOT EXPLOIT OUR SENIORS and PREPLAN!  Today I want to give you some preplanning tools to...

Continue Reading

Real Senior Exploitation: Buzz Aldrin’s Story

buzz-aldrin-pyp

WHO IS THE WORST EXPLOITERS OF SENIORS – FAMILY!  I WORK CONSTANTLY AT TRYING TO GET MONEY BACK FROM SOLAR POWER COMPANIES WHO SELL SENIORS UNWEILDY 20 YEAR CONTRACTS, BUT...

Continue Reading

The warning signs of financial abuse

stop-financial-abuse-pyp

Following are some signs that financial elder abuse may be occurring: Senior is not allowed to spend money the way the senior wants Senior’s bills are not paid on time...

Continue Reading

9 Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

9-symptoms-of-alzheimers

Do you know these basic signs of Alzheimer’s? An Alzheimer’s diagnosis is upsetting but there are positive steps everyone can take to make this as easy as possible for those affected.

Continue Reading

“(Super) Heroes Are Made Not Born!

OMG!! Stan Lee the MAKER of super heroes died!  As most of us know, he was the creative genius behind most of Marvel’s super heroes, BUT his wife Joanie was...

Continue Reading

Senior Exploitation and Abuse

PYP exploitation

THE WORST CRIME OF ALL – SENIOR EXPLOITATION We hear horror stories of nurses and aides murdering seniors by giving them to much medication or basic neglect (like Holly wood...

Continue Reading

Stay Relevant, Smart & Sexy

The past year the news has often included the failure of the Broward County Sheriff’s department to prevent the bloodletting on Valentine’s Day at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. And it...

Continue Reading

Resources for Caregiving from Afar

Our resource partner, Claire Wentz http://caringfromafar.com/, wrote this informative article we thought you would enjoy! Sometimes, living close to a senior parent who needs support isn’t an option. Uprooting a family...

Continue Reading

The Pleasures of Old Age

real-pleasure-of-old-age-pyp

“Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth.” W. Somerset Maugham.    With maturity comes an ‘ease of being.’   It’s true,...

Continue Reading

WALKING ON THE MOON DOES NOT KEEP YOU FROM AGING

Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, is 88 years old and has met his fourth wife.  The bad news, the kids don’t like her.   Here’s...

Continue Reading

AGING ALONE? PREPLAN TODAY!

Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Old age is  like everything else.  To make a success of it you’ve got to start young.”   That is especially true if you plan to...

Continue Reading

Rethinking the “I’m Old” Myth

re-think-the-Im-old-myth-pyp

Now that I’m a senior advocate and activist, I find that many things that used to be funny are now insulting.  Recently, Julie Andrews did a performance to benefit AARP...

Continue Reading

GROW OLD OR PURSUE YOUR DREAM?

Gabriel García Márquez states it beautifully, “It is not true that people stop pursuing their dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing their dreams.”  ...

Continue Reading

Medicare Supplement Insurance . . . It Can Be Tricky

George, an 85 year old, was surprised when he received a $4000 bill for his pacemaker replacement procedure, after he was told that it would cost him $250.   He’d...

Continue Reading

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Once a family member becomes ill, we seem to go into a reactive mode instead of proactive mode.   Much of this stems from our avoidance  . . . we...

Continue Reading

VIVE LA VIDA BUENA (LIVE THE GOOD LIFE)

From March 6 to April 8 of this year, I experienced five deaths of people I consider part of my life.  Two were wonderful  with whom who I had the...

Continue Reading

FLORIDA ADDS MORE MONEY FOR SENIOR CARE

As we all now know, after Hurricane  Irma fourteen elderly souls died because the nursing home in which they resided did not have a electricity after the storm.  As a...

Continue Reading

Emergency Preparedness for Seniors

The article below was published by Nursing Home Law News.  It was written by Jonathoan Rosenfeld who is the publisher and an attorney.  The best part of this article is...

Continue Reading

Elder Rage: How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents

We at Parent Your Parents think this is a terrific “true experience” article authored by Jacqueline Marcell.  Jacqueline is also the Author of Elder Rage @www.ElderRage.com.  Check it out! Jacqueline Marcell,...

Continue Reading

SENIORS SHOULD NEVER SUFFER . . . BUT THEY DO

This is an editorial to the Miami Herald written by H. Frances Reaves, Esq., President of Parent Your Parents,  in October of 2017.  This was written after Hurricane Harvey and...

Continue Reading

NOT ALL HOSPICE IS CREATED EQUAL

What is Hospice?  First, it is a type of care and philosophy that focuses on the palliation of a chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill patient’s pain and symptoms,...

Continue Reading

FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY

As I’ve discussed in several articles the discussion of money is a must but can also be a monster rearing its ugly head.   We’ve discussed having  Powers of Attorney...

Continue Reading

NURSING HOMES – HOW TO FIND A GOOD ONE

I am confident most of you heard the news about the  fourteen seniors who died from overheating.  They were all in a licensed “nursing home” in Hollywood Hills.   ‘Nursing...

Continue Reading