My Story in Elder Law

 I have practiced law since 1978. Until recently my practice was primarily personal injury, business law, litigation and probate law. Over time I realized something is missing in my practice. I was busy and successful, but not satisfied.

 In 1997, I suffered a light stroke that left me with slight impairment on my left side and a small speech impediment. During the recovery period, I had difficulty concentrating on subjects and focusing. Slowly, I overcame all of these problems. Then in 2005, I suffered a TIA, which is a small stroke with little or not permanent impairment. My Neurologist, Dr. Ruth Fredericks, said it is time for a come to Jesus talk and we must have a serious look at the stress in my practice. Believe me; law practice has plenty of stress.

 When Dr. Fredericks advised or order me to reduce stress in my law practice, I knew it was a God send. For several months I was looking into changing my practice to Elder Law. My reason for wanting to change to Elder Law was the stress I experienced in litigation and feeling lack of fulfillment with the existing practice. I wanted a practice that helped people and one that the clients appreciated me. Litigation law is not that type of practice.

 I had another reason to look at Elder Law. My family, my parents are blessed with long and healthy lives. My mother passed away in 2003 at age 89. She had a long, happy and healthy life, until the last few years. She suffered Alzheimer's disease and it is a horrible experience. This disease robs people of their dignity and enjoyment of life. Unfortunately, it runs in both sides of my family.

 We noticed mama was getting forgetful and repeating the same stories. My father, who is still blessed with good health, took care of her until the burden became too great. Within two years she went from and independent, proud homemaker to where she could not cut her own food to eat, had to be bathed by my father, knew she was to be in the kitchen, but did not know what to do.

 Her condition became so bad that we were at the end of our ropes and began considering a nursing home. Then the unthinkable happened. My parents slept in separate bedrooms and my father is hard of hearing. She tried to go the bathroom at night and fell breaking her hip. He could not hear her call for help. How long she lay on the floor until he discovered her, we do not know. Pop was devastated when he found her.

 He called my brother and sister in law, who live nearby. The break caused her severe pain, but they got her in bed. I was called early the next morning. When I arrived, my family was waiting for the ambulance. Upon arrival, my mother was placed in the ambulance and taken to a local hospital. I shall never forget thinking as the ambulance pulled out of the drive way with my mother that she will never return home. She didn't.

 From the local hospital, she was transferred to Jackson, where a hip replacement was done. When she recovered, we knew she would be unable to return home and that she must go into a nursing home. Fortunately, my parents lived in a small community and the nursing home in Carthage would accept her. She died shortly after going into the nursing home. Due to her condition it was a blessing. 

 I am the lawyer in the family, but I did not know what or how to handle the legal and financial situation. My sister in law's mother had passed away a few years earlier and she had dealt with Medicaid and Medicare, so we relied on her.

 This situation caused me to begin thinking of other people that are in the same situation. How do you find a good nursing home? How do you pay for it? What assistance is available from the government? Where can I get answers?

 It is not easy to find correct answers. There is not single place to go. One agency or person will give you a bit of information and others additional information. Even lawyers do not know.

 I decided to look into this area called Elder Law to help people find the correct answers to their situation. A lot of false and misleading information is out there. I have devoted myself to finding out all I can about Medicare and Medicaid law, how to locate good nursing homes, how to protect assets, how to plan for the future and when the we are called home, to help probate or settle the estate.

 My new practice is devoted to helping people in need, being appreciated for my work and finding enjoyment in law practice without tons of stress. This is my story.