News
Understanding the Difference Between Hospice and Palliative Care
When speaking with families, I am often asked, “What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?” These two terms are often used interchangeably, but it is important to understand there is a distinction between the two. Both hospice and palliative care are available for an individual who is suffering from a chronic disease, such as but not limited to dementia, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and/or cancer. The goal of both hospice and palliative care is to focus on symptom management and ensuring the patient’s comfort. So, what is the difference between hospice and palliative [...]
The Power of Music
A few years ago, when I first heard country artist Jay Allen's song, "Blank Stares," it struck a chord with me. Every word explained exactly how I was feeling and what I was experiencing caring for my mother living with Alzheimer's disease. The song even begins with a snippet of a voicemail message that his mother left him. I, too, keep voicemail messages that my mom left for me and listen to them just to hear her voice. Jay shares his emotional story often in an effort to educate the public about this horrific disease without a cure. Jay released [...]
The End-of-Life Doula: A New Approach to Death Positivity
Francis Bacon once said, “It is as natural to die as to be born.” Does the thought of that make you uncomfortable? If it does, you are not alone. Death is a very uncomfortable subject for many people. The fact that we will die someday is one thing we all have in common, so why are we so uncomfortable thinking and talking about death? As a care coordinator at Rothkoff Law Group, I work with many clients and families around end-of-life issues. I recently completed the End-of-Life Doula course through the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA). One of [...]
My Grandmother the Teacher
My grandmother, Fannie Weiss, died in 1999 as the result of end-stage Alzheimer's Disease. Towards the end of her life, she was unable to recognize family and friends. I remember her fondly for her love of Yiddish humor, dancing, and singing and her fondness for taking every Sweet’N Low packet home with her from each and every diner in Northeast Philadelphia. She loved to show off her grandchildren to her friends and take us to her community pool. She was always there for me, as well as her other grandchildren, when needed. Yet, when she needed me the most, at [...]
An Unexpected Support System in Our Public Benefits Department
Written by Kaitlin Dirkx, Director of Public Benefits. Fall 2022 marks my seventh anniversary with Rothkoff Law Group, working as Director of Public Benefits. It also marks the longest I have ever worked for the same employer. When people ask what has kept me here for seven years, I always return to the relationships that I build with clients and the fulfillment that it brings me. As I meet more and more families struggling with enormous financial stress and anxiety while managing a loved one’s illness, it reinforces how much I enjoy helping people in this way at one of [...]
How To Find A High-Quality Home Healthcare Provider
There are many factors to consider when choosing a home healthcare provider. Home health services include Skilled Nursing, Physical, Occupational, Speech, Therapy, Medical Social Services, and Home Health Aide. Choosing a high-quality home healthcare provider that is recognized for excellent care can help increase your likelihood of recovering faster and staying healthy at home. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reports on home health quality measures on the Care Compare website. The website is a tool to help consumers choose a home healthcare provider. It's designed to be an easy-to-access, convenient, official source of information about provider quality [...]
A Day in the Life of a Big City Emergency Department
There must be a better way to provide emergency health services. I write this from the perspective of a recent emergency room patient of Jefferson Hospital in Center City, Philadelphia. On July 11th, 2022, around 11am, I was in my Cherry Hill office when I began to experience a tingling sensation in both my arms and legs. Soon after, I became light-headed and began to experience a numbing sensation around my mouth. This was when I became concerned, as I thought these were potential symptoms of a stroke. Being involved in stroke advocacy groups in the past, I knew I [...]
Elder Care Coordinators at Rothkoff Law Group
Rothkoff Law Group follows a unique care-first approach to elder law, allowing Elder Care Coordinators (ECCs) to help our clients navigate the long-term care maze while advocating for their needs. The Elder Care Coordinators generally come from a background in long-term care, such as a subacute community, hospital, or local area agency on aging. When introducing ourselves and our roles, it is often received with an intrigued look along with, "What would a care coordinator do in a law firm?" The Elder Care Coordinators, in conjunction with other members of the firm, assist clients and their families in making certain [...]
You’ll Be in My Heart
Written by Stephanie Fisch, Director of Public Relations and Community Education. I recently attended a concert benefitting Penn Memory Center for continued dementia research at the Newtown Theatre with Jerry, Donna, and Kathleen, where the Phil Collins tribute band, Hello I Must Be Going put on a stellar performance. Betsy Szamboti and the team at Artis Senior Living of Yardley organized a very successful event, and I found it inspiring to be in a room full of people working toward a common goal to end Alzheimer’s for future generations. We value our partnerships with both Artis Senior Living of Yardley [...]
Home Care Plays a Pivotal Role in the Healthcare Continuum
The home care industry is a sector of the healthcare continuum poised for continuous growth due to many factors but largely driven by a burgeoning aging population seeking to “age in place.” People seeking care at home are usually doing so for the first time, unaware of the scope of services, cost, insurance coverage, and the interaction of home care providers with others in the healthcare continuum. This article identifies those critical interactions. Home Healthcare Providers Medical home healthcare providers offer nursing, therapies, and other clinical sub-specialties. These services are covered (with limits) by Medicare and other health insurance. Home [...]
Elder Care Advocacy: Bryan Adler’s Story
Elder care advocacy is at the heart of what we do at Rothkoff Law Group. The various backgrounds, experiences, and personal stories of our staff enrich our ability to serve, and all have a commonality in the desire to pursue the delicate tangles of law and elder care advocacy. This is Bryan J. Adler, Esq., CELA’s story. Recently, I was in my office meeting with the children of a prospective client. We had spent nearly two hours together talking about their mother’s health and concerns about planning for her care. Nearing the end of our discussion, the daughter asked pointedly: [...]
ElliQ, Technology, and Long-Term Care
What is ElliQ, and how does it intersect with innovations in AgeTech or elder care technology? Before we dive in, let’s take a quick look at a few statistics that underscore the need for these new advances in tech. By 2021, 20% of the United States population will be over the age of 65, 87% of which wish to age in their homes. Along those lines, care costs continue increasing at a rapid rate. For example, assisted living costs have increased a staggering 68% since 2004. Many senior care advocates and experts suggest that a key component of reducing care [...]
The Benefits of Having an Elder Care Coordinator on Your Side
Have you ever considered the benefits of an elder care coordinator when planning for your or a loved one’s future? Rothkoff Law Group follows a unique elder care law firm model called Life Care Planning. This model encourages its law firms to hire care coordinators (usually a social worker or nurse) to help clients navigate the long-term care maze. We often hear, “What does the elder care coordinator do?” When we mention our firm has six geriatric social workers on staff, the reaction is either delight or confusion (or sometimes both). Below is an example of a typical client of [...]
What Is an Adult Day Care Center and Is It Right for You or Your Loved One?
In 2016, there were about 4,600 adult day care centers with more than 286,000 participants, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Adult day care centers are also the most affordable long-term care solution for seniors and disabled adults who need help with daily activities. You might be wondering, what exactly is an adult day care center? What kinds of services are usually offered? And, how do you know if an adult day care center is right for you or your loved one? In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more! What Is an Adult Day Care Center? [...]
Lowering the Risk of Heat-Related Illness in Aging Adults
Heat-related illness can manifest in more than one way, typically resulting in heat cramps, exhaustion, or stroke. During the summer months and especially now during the extreme heat and humidity we are experiencing, it is important to check on our elderly family, friends, and neighbors. Make sure they are staying cool and comfortable and remind them to drink more water. As we age, we must be careful because our bodies no longer have the same reserve they once did, especially when we mix heat, humidity, and physical exertion. Heat-related illnesses may become more dangerous as we age because we lose [...]
