Florida Elder Law Blog - A blog by Elder Law Associates, South Florida's premier elder law attorneys, who handle elder law, medicaid planning, guardianships and much, much more.
On May 28, I attended an Aging Policy Forum for aging network leaders conducted by The Florida Association of Aging Services Providers, through funding from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. The purpose of the Forum was to identify key topics and share insights, expertise and experiences on emerging aging-related issues. Strategies for communication and collaboration on advocacy on behalf of older Floridians were also discussed.
The central theme of the session was for those involved in the senior community to become more active in grassroots lobbying for increased funding of programs for seniors and persons with disabilities.
Given the opportunity to address the group, I spoke about estate planning and Medicaid planning in regard to the serious lack of resources available to our clients and the almost desperate need to increase funding. Everyone in attendance agreed that the value of waiver programs which keep seniors at home or allow them to go to an interim facility is unparalleled. In comparison to a senior entering a nursing facility, waiver programs save everyone involved (the senior, the State, and the federal government) tremendous amounts of money while preserving the senior’s dignity. Hopefully the increased lobby efforts of leaders in the aging advocacy community will help achieve this most important and common sense goal.
- Ellen Morris, Esq.
Labels: elder care, medicaid
