Talking With an Aging Parent About Safe Driving (Or Not Driving at All)
Perhaps it was the sight of a fresh dent on your mother’s car, or a report from a family member about an unnecessarily exciting excursion when Dad was behind the wheel. Maybe it’s just the sense that Dad is having a lot of trouble getting around in that big old car. Regardless of the cause,…
Article 17-A Guardianship of the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act: Revisiting the Conundrum in the Courts
By Arshi Pal, Esq., Littman Krooks New York State sets 18 as the age of majority and individuals who are 18 years of age or older are deemed to be legally competent to make their own personal, medical and financial decisions. This becomes problematic for individuals with developmental disabilities who are unable to make such…
Multi-Generational Homes: A Checklist
Multi-generational living arrangements are on the rise, and for good reason. Growing numbers of aging parents are seeking both comfortable surroundings and affordable care by sharing space with family members. Millennials are moving back into their parents’ home until they acquire sufficient income to live independently. And in some cases multi-generational households are being created…
Individuals with Disabilities and Families Should Research Eligibility and Services before Moving to another State
By Sandi Rosenbaum, Educational Advocate, Littman Krooks Relocation to another state is a complex prospect for individuals with disabilities and their families. Jason DaSilva’s NY Times Op-Doc of July 24, “How Healthcare Makes Disability a Trap,” illustrates an important aspect of life for people with disabilities. Mr. DaSilva, who has multiple sclerosis and relies on…
Plan Carefully When Buying a Home With Parents
The rising cost of long-term care for seniors, combined with rising real estate prices, are making multi-generational co-ownership of a shared family home an increasingly attractive proposition. In theory, everyone in the family benefits from a multi-generational living arrangement. Grandparents can downsize into a smaller, affordable living space in close proximity to their children and…
New Law Requires Mental Health Education in All Grades in New York Schools
New York students returning to school this fall will find to a new health curriculum that places an increased emphasis on mental health issues. Heightened attention to students’ mental health is required by state education law changes, effective July 1, 2018, that require school officials to deliver instruction on mental health issues for students in…
The Right Time to Begin Managing an Aging Parent’s Finances
It’s difficult for children to know when to step in and assist aging parents with their financial affairs. Conversations about money are uncomfortable and aging parents may become defensive, suspicious or confused. It is easy to see why we resist having these conversations. Unfortunately, as parents age, they will inevitably lose the capacity to manage…
Wealth Alone Cannot Protect Vulnerable Elders
Wealth alone is no guarantee that older individuals will enjoy a safe and happy retirement. While Americans enjoy well-planned senior years, some older individuals live alone with no one to care for them. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 28 percent of people over age 65 live alone. This number is expected to increase in…
Yonkers First Responders Disability Registry Aims to Provide Better Emergency Care for Residents with Special Needs
Emergency first responders often possess little more than the information contained in a 911 call and a street address. While this might suffice for most situations, when the emergency involves a resident with special needs, customary rescue operations can be traumatic for the resident and challenging for emergency personnel. To solve this problem, city officials…
Key Considerations for a Medicaid Spend-down
Annual nursing home costs in Westchester County are $149,136 on average, according to the most recent information published by the New York Department of Health. This is a significant expenditure, especially when multiplied for each year of nursing home care, well beyond the financial resources of most New York residents. Small wonder that 63 percent…


