A few days ago, I met with out of town children of an individual who moved to a local nursing home last week. The children were interested in securing the best care for their mother while potentially protecting their mother’s life savings from expensive nursing home costs.
They advised they did not believe any of their mother’s savings could be protected because she did not plan ahead five years ago before their mom entered the nursing home. They were told by friends and family, even another attorney, that unless planning was done five years ago, no assets can be protected. I assured the children that even though their mom is in a nursing home, a significant portion of her assets can still be protected with the proper planning.
Additionally, since both children did not live locally, I advised them our geriatric care coordinators can assist in advocating for their mom by attending nursing home care conferences and periodically visiting their mom.
On behalf of their mom, the children retained our elder care law office to assist the family in navigating the long-term care issues that that were before them.
Jerold E. Rothkoff, a practicing New Jersey and Pennsylvania attorney, is the Principal of the Rothkoff Law Group, an elder care law firm. Jerry dedicates his practice to serving clients in the areas of life care planning, long-term care planning, Medicaid & VA benefits, and advocacy for the elderly and disabled. He is past President of the NJ Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, former chair of the elder law section of the NJ State Bar Association, and past President of the Life Care Planning Law Firm Association. Jerry continues to be an outspoken advocate for the rights of the elderly and disabled. He writes for and gives presentations regularly to attorneys and other professionals about legal issues related to seniors and those with disabilities.
Jerry’s community activities include the Twilight Wish Foundation, the Delaware Valley Stroke Council, the Alzheimer’s Association, as well as numerous other advocacy groups.
When not in the office, Jerry spends time with his wife, Erica, and their five children, eighteen-year old identical twin girls, Liza and Julia, fifteen-year old fraternal twin boys, Evan and Gregory, and six-year old Aitan.
