In This Issue

	Hurley Elder Care Law, a family helping families.
	If you answer yes to any of these questions, Hurley Elder Care Law can help
	Life Care Planning Goals
	The Nuts and Bolts Guide to VA Benefits

Hurley Elder Care Law, a family helping families.

	At first glance, the offices of Hurley Elder Care Law look and sound like any other busy law practice. The copier hums and the phone rings, clients look for a coffee refill and Fed Ex is dropping off packages. But when you listen a little closer, you notice something different immediately. You might hear the following: Grandma, Mrs. Watkins is on the phone. Honey, can you go by the bank before you pick up the boys? Mom, I need you to do an assessment this week. It becomes clear quickly that this is more than just a law practice. It’s a family in the business of helping families.
	Continue Reading Below

To attend our monthly Professionals’ Luncheon please call Louise Morris at 404-843-0121 or email her at lmorris@HurleyECLaw.com

If you answer yes to any of these questions, Hurley Elder Care Law can help.

		Has the elder been diagnosed with a mentally or physically debilitating disorder such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, stroke or a decline in functional capacity?
		Is the elder isolated due to the recent death of a spouse, or have family that either lives too far away or is too busy to provide adequate care?
		Is the elder soon to be discharged into a care facility or currently receiving in-home care?
		Does the elder have a variety of healthcare providers and need coordination and advocacy for quality care?
		Does the elder seem unusually concerned about costs of medication and services, indicating he or she may be having financial troubles?
		Does the elder have assets that fall between $50,000 and $400,000 – enough to finance a short stay in a care facility but not enough for an extended stay?
		Does the elder have a spouse whose financial needs must be considered in light of the elder’s medical condition?

Life Care Planning Goals

1. Meeting the elders’ immediate health care and long-term care needs.
2. Making sure the elder/family is making good health care and long-term care decisions.
3. Helping the elder/family sort through the maze of their long-term care options including residential options.
4. Identifying and accessing public benefits and resources to pay for care should the elder meet the qualifying criteria.
5. Help with asset management, including the burden of home ownership and personal property.
6. Providing the entire family the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved one is monitored by a team that combines legal and financial expertise with specialized knowledge of the elder’s physical, mental and emotional health.
7. Ensuring the highest level of independence the elder can achieve, while ensuring safety.

Hurley Elder Care Law, a family helping families.

Can three generations of one family work together effectively? How can a brother and sister-in-law possibly work side by side for 12 years? Can a husband and wife co-exist at home and at work? Welcome to a day in the life of Hurley Elder Care Law where our unique and wonderful family environment works every day to guide families through the process of growing older and the challenges that brings. Many of you commented on how much you enjoyed the series of articles on why I practice Elder Law. Well the real answer is, I couldn’t practice Elder Law without the team beside me and it’s high time you learned more about the people around me, and their journey. Louise Morris (my sister-in-law) Louise was teaching 8th grade English in the Cobb County public schools when my wife and I were first married. She would work part-time for the practice in the summers and often commented on how much satisfaction she got out of helping families when things were tough (more gratifying than teaching an 8th grader how to diagram a sentence!) The more time she spent in the practice, the more time I realized that she was the right hand I needed all along. But could I work full time with my sister-in-law? Twelve years later, I can say that the answer is a definite yes! Louise is our practice manager and main client liaison. She is often the first point of contact for families or industry professionals who have questions regarding our services. Her warmth and enthusiasm are noted by all, and her years of teaching experience are priceless as she walks families through the labyrinth of paperwork our industry sometimes requires. Dawn Houston, B.S.N., R.N. (my wife’s childhood friend) Dawn worked as a Registered Nurse for 15 years prior to joining our practice. Along the way she raised three children and became a grandmother. Dawn offers our clients a unique perspective, as she herself has been both a provider of health care services (as an R.N.) and a consumer of services (Dawn was hospitalized for 8 weeks several years ago). When the decision was made to bring a care coordinator on staff, my thoughts first turned to Dawn. She had the right combination of professional and personal experience that I needed in a care coordinator. Dawn is special. It was an added bonus that my wife and Dawn have been friends since childhood! Sandi Nelson (Dawn’s mom) Sandi taught high school biology for 25 years, raised three children and traveled the world. Always one for seeking knowledge, whether it be through traveling or studying (she has a masters degree in science education) one year of “retirement” found Sandi back in the work force. She joined the firm to work with our client families who are going through the process of qualifying for Medicaid. Her teaching background has given her the endless patience necessary to handle the bureaucracy that is found in the Elder Care world along with the thoroughness needed to get things done right the first time. Theresa Houston (Dawn’s daughter and Sandi’s granddaughter) Theresa grew up in East Cobb the youngest of three children. She was the babysitter you could always count on and the helpful student the principal always asked to shepherd the new girl through her first day of classes. She started working part-time while still in high school and continues today to work while she finishes her education at Kennesaw State University. With both mom and grandma on staff, Theresa joined the firm to manage the VA application process. She, like her family members, brings an enthusiasm and care for the work that she does. Joanna Hurley (my wife) After our youngest son started school full time, Joanna joined the practice to educate other professionals about Hurley Elder Care Law and our mission. Prior to taking a break to be with our young children she spent 15 years in the investment business, specifically in the pension fund arena. You will often see her at professional networking meetings, health fairs and any other opportunity we may have for educating the community about Elder Law. Our connections run very deep and we are truly a family. We have laughed and cried together, celebrated birthdays, welcomed new babies, danced at weddings and cried at funerals. We disagree sometimes and take each other for granted but we all share a common purpose, helping families determine the best way to find, get and pay for good long-term care.