The Elder Law Commentaries

Hi I am Jim Schuster a retired Elder law attorney of some 30 years. I’m born, raised and live in Michigan and I think you’ll find just a bit of that down to earth mid-west practicality here. In this blog series I will share stories and insights in the field of elder issues including those of law and elder care.

I’ve been in the practice of law for over 45 years now and have seen a thing or two. I worked with average working families in the various phases of my career from general practice, to civil rights to senior rights. I joined the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys in 1995, then nine years later I had the honor of being recognized as a Certified Elder Law Attorney. I had to sit for an all day exam and prove my experience met the requirements for certification. I was only the fourth attorney in Michigan to earn that recognition. I’m the author of many articles on Elder Law written for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and others.

In this blog series we’ll take a broad look at the programs for the elderly with a keen eye and Medicaid and Medicare issues. This is an area of need in the legal community as well as the elder public. For example, many of the Medicaid programs have been interpreted and applied from the vantage point of a Medicaid agency whose goal is to keep costs down, which is not always the purpose of providing those services. That can make a fellow a bit peevish. Some observations on Medicare will come in our view from time to time.

In the field of elder care we will take a look at family relations and services available to elders. Once again our point of view is not that of a provider of commercial services but rather from the elder’s representative point of view. Things are not always as they seem.
There is another driving reason for this blog. Anybody who has tried to find an attorney in an area has too often run into the “scare ’em and sell ’em” sort of information. I know I have had that experience when I’m trying to find an attorney near a particular city in another state. I’m just trying to show that a client need not be “scared” to find the need for a helpful attorney. A client who makes a considered and informed choice is always the best client.

There will be no scaring and selling on this blog. I hope to just offer useable information for readers seeking some friendly guidance on the journey with an elder. As Tom Bodett is wont to say “we’ll leave the light on for you.” Check in and out at any time. You’re always welcome.