Changes in Indiana’s Medicaid system, which is supposed to help low-income seniors and disabled people, are creating serious problems. The changes are making life harder for people needing nursing home care or needing help staying at home. So, what’s behind Indiana’s continuing Medicaid crisis? How Indiana’s Medicaid System Works The average Indiana nursing home resident […] The post Indiana’s Continuing Medicaid Crisis first appeared on Hawkins Elder Law PC ..read more

Most people prefer living at home rather than in a healthcare facility. However, a money shortage in Indiana’s Aged and Disabled Waiver program is pushing disabled Hoosier seniors into nursing homes. This Article describes Indiana’s home healthcare crisis and the difficult choices it’s forcing families to make. Indiana’s Home Healthcare System Congress established the home and community-based services (HCBS) program to help older people “age in place” at home without moving to nursing homes. Although Medicaid usually covers nursing home healthcare costs, the Aged & Disabled (A&D) waiv ..read more

If you needed inpatient hospital care or outpatient surgery since 1992, someone probably asked whether you had a living will. While that question has made generations of people think they needed living wills, did they really need them? What’s a living will’s purpose? Does it serve that purpose well? In this article, we’ll explain living wills and the reasons behind our healthcare advance directives preference. Life Support Wars Karen Ann Quinlan In 1975, Pennsylvania resident Karen Ann Quinlan slipped into a persistent, irreversible coma after consuming Valium and alcohol while crash dieting ..read more

Isolation among aging retirees can harm their social, cognitive, and physical well-being. However, seniors can improve their health and overall life experience through community involvement. Let’s explore the downside of isolation on aging retirees and the benefits of community life for seniors through social and civic engagement. Negative Effects of Isolation on Aging Retirees Social isolation among aging retirees can lead to feelings of loneliness. Loneliness, in turn, can contribute to depression, anxiety, and even cognitive decline. The National Institute on Aging’s article, Social isolat ..read more

Isolation among aging retirees can harm their social, cognitive, and physical well-being. However, initiatives like the Indiana Pathways for Aging program help seniors stay engaged and thrive in their communities. Let’s explore the downside of isolation on aging retirees, the benefits of social and civic engagement, and the Indiana Pathways for Aging program. Negative Effects of Isolation on Aging Retirees Isolation among aging retirees has profound negative effects on their overall health. Social isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness. Loneliness, in turn, can contribute to depression ..read more

Introduction Is your homeowner’s insurance coverage complete and up-to-date? You might think, “My insurance coverage is fine.” Tragically, a 2023 tornado destroyed homes on the Indiana and Illinois sides of the Wabash River and exposed some families’ insurance gaps the hard way. If you haven’t reviewed your insurance coverage lately, you might find yourself out in the cold without enough to replace your home after a fire or storm. This article explains the need for updating homeowner’s insurance coverage and issues you might have overlooked. What is Homeowner’s Insurance? As we explained in Wh ..read more

In today’s digital age, managing your money through online accounts is not just convenient; it’s smart! Whether it’s shares of stock through CompuServe, life insurance policies, annuities, investments, or banking, going online makes it easier for you. Let’s break it down so you can see how easy and beneficial it can be. Why Should You Use Online Accounts to Manage Finances? Folks who’ve never used online accounts may ask, “Why use online accounts to manage finances?” You can still manage your accounts with paper forms at most banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. Howev ..read more

In today’s digital age, managing your money online is not just convenient; it’s smart! Whether it’s shares of stock through CompuServe, life insurance policies, annuities, investments, or bank accounts, going online makes it easier for you. Let’s break it down so you can see how easy and beneficial it can be. Why Should You Use Online Accounts to Manage Finances? Folks who’ve never used online accounts may ask, “Why use online accounts to manage finances?” You can still manage your accounts with paper forms at most banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. However, your fi ..read more

Did you know that Hoosiers can cause their money and property to pass after death to their family members through pay on death (POD) and transfer on death (TOD) arrangements? This Article explains POD and TOD ownership and the POD and TOD pitfalls and opportunities. POD and TOD Beneficiary Designations Indiana’s Transfer on Death Property Act lets Hoosiers pass their money, homes, farms, vehicles, and other assets to beneficiaries after death with simple POD and TOD beneficiary designations. While POD and TOD mean nearly the same thing, POD causes a bank to pay money on the owner’s death, and ..read more

JTEN parties are tied to each other, like in a 3-legged race, until one dies or they stop the JTEN. Does your name appear with someone on a bank or investment account? If so, you and the other people may be joint tenants with rights of survivorship (JTEN). Indiana law refers to people sharing a JTEN account as “parties.” This article discusses why people make JTEN accounts and some hidden JTEN headaches and heartaches. WHY MAKE JTEN ACCOUNTS? Many folks make JTEN accounts for when they get sick or die. They hope the other JTEN parties will help pay bills during their illness or after their dea ..read more