Latest & Greatest – Elder Law in a Nutshell

By Lawrence A. Frolik and Richard L. Kaplan

Published by West Academic Publishing

KF 390 .A4 A423

If you are looking for a succinct guide to the issues that arise and the laws that affect older persons, then Elder Law in a Nutshell may be just the book for you. Part of West Academic Publishing’s popular Nutshell series, Elder Law in a Nutshell addresses the unique challenges faced by those who advise and represent the aging members of our community and guides the reader through the myriad issues that pop up in the elder law field. Pertinent topics include: health care decision making, Medicare, Medigap, and Medicaid, long-term care insurance, housing and housing alternatives, guardianship and its alternatives, social security benefits, veterans’ benefits, pensions, age discrimination in employment, and elder abuse and neglect. 

Health care and the related costs involved with obtaining medical coverage could be the highest and most significant concern of the elder community. In a similar vein, the authors explain the doctrine of informed consent and the patient’s right to control medical treatment and terminate life-sustaining treatment. There is a discussion of living wills, the creation and execution requirements, and their validity. The authors guide the reader through the Medicare maze and explain the eligibility requirements, enrollment procedures, and coverage, including the dreaded “donut hole” for drug expenditures. Later chapters address the nature of long-term care insurance and housing options, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The authors look at the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) and the protections it offers to nursing home residents, such as the freedom from abuse and restraints and the right of access to entities providing health, social, or legal services. The authors also examine the eligibility requirements and the tax issues involved with perhaps the single most provider of retirement income: social security benefits. For those seniors who seek employment to supplement their retirement income, there is a discussion of age discrimination and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Lastly, the authors address the sad reality of elder abuse and neglect and the legislative responses to this terrible form of domestic violence.

You can find this and other titles from the Nutshell series in our Self-Help Collection here at the Harris County Law Library.

Out-of-this-World Series!

Today, we are celebrating! Our hometown team, the mighty Houston Astros, is facing off against the Washington Nationals in the 2019 World Series. The initial games are being played at Minute Maid Park, just blocks away from our building at Congress Plaza in downtown Houston. We’re fortunate and thrilled to be so close to the action, and we’re doing our part to support the most stellar team in the cosmos!

The Nationals are, of course, named for our nation’s capital (although the origins of the team name have been disputed and clarified over the years), while the Astros have truly universal appeal. Named to represent Space City, the Astros are the only team to claim a moniker that makes them the team of the galaxy. Lest you think we overstate the Astros’ status as an intergalactic force for good, allow us to provide the evidence:

The Milwaukee Brewers have the Sausage Men, but did you know that the Astros once had a running competition for costumed astronauts? Talk about a space race!

What about that mascot, the lovable, Orbit?

Who but Astros fans can legitimately wear space helmets to the games? (Get yours here.)

And how about the mighty Jose Altuve, whose walk-off homer in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series coincided with last week’s historic all-female spacewalk? Two achievements that are out of this world!

Clearly, Houston, our diverse and dynamic city occupies an important place in our solar system, and we’ve embraced our role in the cosmos by producing one of the very best teams in MLB history. We couldn’t be prouder.  

In celebration of this pride – in our team and in our city – we at the Law Library are highlighting our own Space Law Collection (and previous blog posts on the topic) as well as our Law of Space digital exhibit. Additional resources are listed below.

 GO ASTROS! We love you to the moon and back!

Latest & Greatest – The Law of Later-Life Healthcare and Decision Making

By Lawrence A. Frolik

Published by American Bar Association. Senior Lawyers Division.

KF 3608 .A4 F76 2017

Photo Credit: Helen Hartman

Healthcare is a concern at any stage of life, but as one ages, decisions regarding healthcare take on greater significance, not only because of the concern for and consequences of choices made on behalf of those of diminished capacity but also because of the very nature of end-of-life decisions. The author, a national expert on legal issues affecting older individuals, has written a book, The Law of Later-Life Healthcare and Decision Making, to help answer questions people may have about healthcare decision making and the laws surrounding and regulating this area. Divided into five chapters, this book covers paying for healthcare, long-term care housing options, paying for long-term care, the legal implications of mental incapacity, and end of life decision making. Within each chapter, you will find discussions of significant case law developments and statutory changes and explanations of important topics, such as Medicare and Medicaid, aging in place, nursing homes, long-term care insurance, reverse mortgages, guardianships, living wills, health care powers of attorney, DNR orders, and hospice care.