Sui Generis--a New York law blog

$15,000 a Month for Nursing Home Care, and I Don't Even Bat an Eyelash

I live in Rochester, New York, and compared to the NYC and Philly suburbs I've previously called home, Rochester is on the less expensive cost-of-living side.  Even in Monroe County, though, the monthly Medicaid reimbursement rate (what the government considers the "average" monthly cost of care) is over $8,000.  I have clients whose Alzheimer's care has been costing $12,000 a month for quite a few months. 

So does it surprise me that a "downstate" nursing home is charging $15K?  No.  What does interest me is the author's perceived generational disparity between the "greatest generation" and the "baby boomers" and how much they expect for that $15K. 

Thanks to this New York Times's article by Jane Gross. 

-Authored by Elizabeth Randisi, a Rochester, New York attorney associated with the law firm WeinsteinMurphy.  Her practice focuses on Trusts and Estates and elder law.

New York's New Power of Attorney Law

Last week, Governor Paterson signed a bill postponing the effective date of the new Power of Attorney law from March 1, 2009, to September 1, 2009.

This is mocked-up version of the new Power of Attorney, as it is laid out in the new law. 

I know that the reasoning behind many of the expansive changes is to protect our elderly community from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous agents.  However, I'm not sure that the new Power of Attorney is any more understandable than the old.

Comments?

-Authored by Elizabeth Randisi, a Rochester, New York attorney associated with the law firm WeinsteinMurphy.  Her practice focuses on Trusts and Estates and elder law.