By Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney The Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors receives phone calls each week from loved ones and caregivers asking what he or she can do when there are concerns about a loved one’s driving. In this post, I will discuss issues that arise when a caregiver becomes aware of potential problems for an older driver, and the resources that are available … Continue reading Caregiver’s Guide to Driving Issues
By Dawn Kepler, Project Administrator In April 2018, new Medicare cards will be sent out and the new card will include a new Medicare Number. The mailing for these new cards will be staggered throughout the year and it is expected to end by April 2019. Here are 8 Things to Know about Your New Medicare Card: Medicare will mail you a new card, and this change … Continue reading 8 Things to Know about Your New Medicare Card
By Shirley Brown, Economic Security Team Member Even though you may have smoked for years and had no difficulties that you know of, it would benefit you greatly to quit. It will be difficult but not impossible. You may need help and may have to try several different approaches to find the one that will work best for you. If you are not successful at your first attempt, do not give up. If you … Continue reading The Importance of Older Adults Quitting Smoking
By Dawn Kepler, Project Administrator Older adults (age 65 and up) comprise 20% of all drivers licensed in Michigan, and this number is projected to increase. Older drivers are more likely than other age groups to engage in the following crash related driving behaviors: failure to yield, disregard of traffic control, improper lane use, improper turn, and improper backing. In addition, the risk of injury or death is higher for … Continue reading Airbag Safety for Aging Drivers
By Jadranko Tomic- Bobas, J.D., Managing Hotline Attorney; Julia Miller and Emilee Evans, Elder Law of Michigan Interns. Guardianship is a process that allows for one person, a “guardian,” to make decisions for and ensure the care of a person and their limited assets when that person is unable to do so themselves (MCL 700.5314). While this is most commonly thought of as the relationship … Continue reading A Guide to Guardianship: Probate vs. Mental Health Code
By Emilee Evans, Legal Intern According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the peak of flu season occurs between November and March. In consideration of the upcoming season, the first step to preventing the flu would be to get your flu shot. Other common preventative methods include practicing good health habits such as: regularly washing your hands (especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching things … Continue reading Flu Season When You Are Age 65 or Over
By Julia Miller, Legal Intern The month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is a time to shed light on what domestic violence is, who it affects, and provide resources to help victims of domestic violence get out of an abusive situation. Personal Protection Orders (PPOs) are orders, signed by a judge that prohibit abusers from doing any number of things that could harm or frighten their victims. These orders … Continue reading Personal Protection Orders
By Emilee Evans, Legal Intern October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, and this blog series is focused on bullying and seniors. Bullying in nursing homes or long-term care facilities has been the overall theme of these blogs, however bullying among older adults has potential to occur under many other circumstances. Other forms of bullying may include: Landlords taking advantage of renters, Bullying between roommates in a private home, Or caregivers (family … Continue reading Bullying Among Older Adults: Additional Resources, Part 4 of 4
By Emilee Evans, Legal Intern This blog will look at how bullying can be assessed by the nurses and staff who oversee residents. Studies that examine trigger factors in resident aggression allow nurses to identify areas of tension and ways to avoid bullying and violence among residents. This post will include some perspectives of nurses on issues of bullying within the nursing home, along with the triggers of aggression identified in … Continue reading Bullying Among Older Adults: A Nurse’s Perspective, Part 3 of 4
By Emilee Evans, Legal Intern As noted in last week’s blog post, bullying is used to make an individual feel powerful by making another individual feel vulnerable and powerless. Being the target of bullying can be intimidating. By seeing this behavior through the perspective of residents of long term care facilities, hopefully cases of bullying will be easier to identify. The end of this post will include resources to use … Continue reading Bullying Among Older Adults: Long Term Care Facilities, Part 2 of 4
