1999 Articles

2000 Federal Census will include inquiries on grandparental caregivers By Lee Beneze November 1999 Few people stop to think that one measure of the importance of a social, economic or demographic trend is when questions related to it are included in the federal decentennial census.

Animal cruelty and domestic violence By Lee Beneze April 1999 Animal abuse is itself disgusting enough. However, for at least the last century, civilized societies have criminalized animal abuse, not just for what it means to animals, but for what it means to humans.

Brief summaries of some recent legislation signed by the Governor By Lee Beneze November 1999 PA 91-244 (HB 524) (signed July 22, 1999)--Provides that each license application (or renewal form) to a person required by law to report child abuse or elder abuse shall include the telephone numbers where such reports should be made.

Community spouse wins large Medicaid asset transfer amount By Steven C. Perlis November 1999 In a recent case in Cook County Chancery Division, a community spouse applying for Medicaid for her nursing facility resident husband succeeded in a contested case in keeping assets above the $81,960 asset allowance and income above the $2,049 monthly income allowance.

Contributions welcome June 1999 The Elder Law newsletter serves as the communications vehicle for and between members of the Elder Law Section, other practitioners and the legal profession at large.

Contributions welcome April 1999 The Elder Law newsletter serves as the communications vehicle for and between members of the Elder Law Section, other practitioners and the legal profession at large.

Contributions Welcome January 1999 The Elder Law Newsletter serves as the communications vehicle for and between members of the Elder Law Section, other practitioners and the legal profession at large.

“Counseling your Florida client”: Illinois and Florida Elder Section Councils cooperate on seminar to be held in St. Petersburg January 1999 On March 11-13, 1999, in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Elder Law Section of The Florida Bar will host, with the assistance of the Illinois State Bar Association, a seminar under the sunny skies of St. Petersburg on "Counseling Your Florida Client."

Department of Public Aid attempts to argue immunity from contempt proceedings for unreasonable delays in Medicaid case By Steven C. Perlis April 1999 On April 30, 1998, a nursing home resident filed an appeal to the Cook County Circuit Court, Chancery Division, disputing the Illinois Department of Public Aid's denial of Medicaid eligibility.

The double helix: ID 2000 By Daniel M. Moore November 1999 It can't be forged. It can't be lost. It's good for our lifetimes--and even beyond. It courses through our veins, it's in our bones and in every cell of our bodies, and each of us has a very unique one.

An elder-friendly office November 1999 In a recent article in the ABA Journal, Jerome Ira Solkoff suggests ways to make a lawyer's office inviting to older persons.

Elderly services officers training program By Mardyth E. Pollard April 1999 The state of Illinois is the national leader in becoming the first in the nation to provide elderly services officers (ESO) training.

Former director of aging passes away By Rebeckah Gray January 1999 On Sunday, September 27, 1998, one of the early directors of the Illinois Department on Aging passed away at the age of 85.

“Granny’s lawyer goes to jail” law held unconstitutional by federal judge By Steven C. Perlis April 1999 Many general practitioner cringe at the thought of counseling elderly clients, or their family members, regarding Medicaid planning techniques.

Guardianship reform project By John F. Erbes November 1999 A statewide multi-disciplinary task force is currently engaged in a study of Illinois' guardianship laws and work ing on the development of a comprehensive plan of recommended changes to the laws-- both substantive and procedurally.

How to deal with reporters By Lee Beneze June 1999 Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to an enthusiastic and knowledgeable speaker at the Annual Symposium of the National Association of Legal Services Developers.

Illinois Annual Elder Rights Conference a success By Lee Beneze November 1999 The 13th Annual Elder Rights Conference, organized by the Illinois Department on Aging, was held in Chicago on July 28 and 29.

Legal assistance to Alzheimer patients By John P. Goedert April 1999 Alzheimer's is a terrible disease that attacks the brain, resulting in impaired memory, defective reasoning, and erratic and sometimes violent behavior. It is a form of dementia that causes an irreversible deterioration of mental, emotional, and physical abilities.

Legal services developers hold annual symposium; express concerns about Older Americans Act By Richard Ingham June 1999 The National Association of Legal Services Developers (NALSD) held its annual symposium in Boulder, Colorado, April 15-18. NALSD officers reported record highs in symposium attendance and NALSD membership, progress in relationships with Older Americans Act (OAA) partners, but disappointment with Administration on Aging (AoA) proposed amendments to the OAA which would weaken the Act's longstanding commitment to advocacy.

Managed care insurer liability: Federal legislative update By Julie A. Braun January 1999 The 1998 congressional session included six major bills directly addressing managed care insurer liability.

Managed health care and senior citizens: Part 2 By Frederick L. Specht January 1999 Health plans have not established ethics programs solely for the purpose of quieting the public's fears that health plans place cost concerns before patient care.

Mark your calender: Regional CLE on nursing home litigation By Julie A. Braun January 1999 By now you may have heard about the blockbuster continuing legal education program taking place on March 13, 1999.

Medicare-Medicaid “dual eligibles” By Lee Beneze November 1999 Every member of the elderlaw bar should become familiar with the program for low income Medicare-Medicaid "dual eligibles."

National Aging and Vulnerable Adult Clearinghouse opens November 1999 The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV) has announced that is has opened the National Aging and Vulnerable Adults Clearinghouse (NAVAC) with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice's Violence Against Women Office.

National Association of Legal Services Developers takes position on OAA reauthorization at annual meeting in Nashville By Richard Ingham April 1999 The National Association of Legal Services Developers (NALSD) will hold its Sixth Annual Symposium in Boulder, Colorado, in mid-April.

The need to regulate assisted living facilities By Lionel Brazen April 1999 As our population ages, there is a growing need for "assisted living" facilities. "Assisted living facility" is loosely defined as a facility for senior citizens somewhere between their own home and a full nursing facility.

New end-of-life laws from other states November 1999 Here is some legislation concerning end-of-life decisions that was recently passed in various states.

Notable cases: In re Hatsuye T. By John F. Erbes June 1999 The National Association of Legal Services Developers (NALSD) held its annual symposium in Boulder, Colorado, April 15-18. NALSD officers reported record highs in symposium attendance and NALSD membership, progress in relationships with Older Americans Act (OAA) partners, but disappointment with Administration on Aging (AoA) proposed amendments to the OAA which would weaken the Act's longstanding commitment to advocacy.

Notes from the chair By Constance B. Renzi November 1999 As of this date, the Elder Law Section Council has had two productive meetings this year.

Notes from the chair By Karl Menninger June 1999 This newsletter has focused on practical, useful issues to assist the elder law practitioner.