The attorneys at Gaughan & Connealy are highly committed to educating their clients and the residents of Overland Park, Kansas. We offer a comprehensive electronic library of special reports covering numerous estate planning and elder law issues. We also update our blog regularly in order to provide updates on the ever changing laws in this field. Finally, our free estate planning and elder law workshops are always a go-to source for information. Ultimately, it is our desire that Kansas residents stay informed. Below, you will find several links to useful resources relating to Overland Park elder issues.
Senior Health Care Benefits for Kansas Residents
Kansas Health Care Association: An agency that represents both for profit and not for profit senior care facilities.
Medicare: Information regarding Medicare and Medicare eligibility.
Medicaid: Information regarding Medicaid and Medicaid eligibility.
Medicare: Medicare covers a large portion of senior medical costs, but there are very specific guidelines for eligibility. To check if you are eligible take a look at the Medicare Eligibility Tool from www.medicare.gov.
Medicaid: Medicaid, a more income based coverage, like Medicare, has stringent eligibility guidelines. For more information on these guidelines please visit this Kansas Medicaid information page.
Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas: SHICK is a free program that offers Kansas senior citizens counseling and assistance in navigating their way through coverage plans. Visit their website for more information.
Financial Planning Resources for Kansas Residents
AARP Kansas: AARP provides information to retired people across the country, including financial guidance.
Kansas Home Care Resources
Kansas Home Care Association: An association that assists Kansas families and provides them resources in their search for home care.
South Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging: A list of services, including home care assistance, for residents of south central Kansas.
Kansas City Home Care: Home health care service in the Kansas City area.
Home Health Care Services of Western Kansas: Home health care service for Western Kansas.
Kansas Housing Resources for Seniors
Kansas Advocates for Better Care: An association that advocates for older Kansans who require long-term care.
Kansas Health Care Association: A listing of senior housing options in Kansas.
When do you need an elder law attorney?
With so many different types of attorneys out there, with different specialties, you may be wondering whether an elder law attorney is the type of attorney you need for your specific legal issues. An elder law attorney primarily handles issues relating to seniors. This can include nursing home issues, estate planning, and guardianships, just to name a few.
The training and experience of an elder law attorney
Elder law attorneys receive special training and experience in the relevant legal issues that affect seniors, which makes them better equipped to understand and meet the needs of their elder clients and their families. Elder law attorneys are also adept at anticipating potential problems facing seniors. Generally speaking, the practice of elder law requires legal advocacy, education, counseling and future planning.
Understanding legal issues facing seniors in our society
One particular skill that an elder law attorney should have is maintaining a current and working knowledge of the common issues facing seniors in our society. It is important for attorneys to be able to sort through the myths related to aging and competence, where seniors are concerned.
Elder law attorneys must be experienced enough to identify the real mental and physical challenges of seniors, while recognizing how important freedom and autonomy are to the elder population. Keeping abreast of the changes in the laws affecting seniors and making connections with the professionals who routinely provide services to the elderly is an important part of the job. An elder law attorney’s advocacy often goes beyond simply drafting legal documents.
What do elder law attorney typically charge?
The fees elder law attorneys charge for legal work will depend on the type of services required and the nature of the work required.
If you have questions regarding elder law planning matters, please contact the experienced attorneys at Gaughan & Connealy for a consultation. You can contact us either online or by calling us at (913) 262-2000. We are here to help!