Energy Assistance during the Winter MonthsBy Jeanne St. Onge  Electric, natural gas, and propane bills are constantly fluctuating, which can have a major impact on household budgets. If you are having trouble paying your energy bills, it is important to know where to find help, especially as winter is quickly approaching. Below, you can find our handy Energy Assistance Trifold Brochure with several different resources listed to help with paying your energy bill. Make sure to click the "Download" button so you can read through and find the best option for your current situation. 
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 November is National adoption MonthBy Jeanne St. Onge National Adoption Month, recognized each November, is an initiative of the Children's Bureau that seeks to increase national awareness of adoption issues, bring attention to the need for adoptive families for teens in the U.S. foster care system, and emphasize the value of youth engagement.
Adoption week continued to grow and become so widely recognized that in 1998 President Bill Clinton extended the week to an entire month, initiating the National Adoption Awareness Month that we celebrate today. This year, efforts are focused on adoption for teens because teens in foster care wait longer for permanency and are at higher risk of aging out than younger children. Teens need love, support, and a sense of belonging that families can provide. Securing lifelong connections for these teens, both legally and emotionally, is a critical component in determining their future achievement, health, and well-being.
Visit the website to learn more about National Adoption Month and find tools and resources to educate yourself and your community about how we can achieve better outcomes for children and youth in need. Start the Conversation & Help Youth on Their Path to Permanency. #NationalAdoptionMonth #ConversationsMatter
how to behave in a virtual courtroomBy Jeanne St. Onge  Courtrooms, whether physically in-person, or virtual via phone or video, are still a formal and serious setting. Below are some important reminders you should keep in mind before appearing in court for your virtual hearing. Understanding Special Needs TrustsDefining what Special Needs Trusts are and why they are so important. By Jeanne St. Onge
What exactly is Special Needs Planning? Special needs planning, simply put, is very similar to that of estate planning, but with a focus on an individual with a disability. The goal of special needs planning is to ensure that the beneficiary's unique medical and financial needs will be taken care of in your absence.
What is a TRUST? A TRUST is a relationship between three parties:
Why have a Special Needs TRUST (SNT)? TRUSTS are established to provide legal protection for the DONOR/GRANTOR'S assets, to make sure those assets are distributed according to the wishes of the DONOR/GRANTOR . Special Needs TRUSTS allow for parents, other families members, and interested parties to contribute funds for the benefit of the BENEFICIARY, while also allowing the beneficiary to still receive benefits such as Medicaid and Security Supplemental Income (SSI).  Three types of Special Needs TRUSTS
There is no minimum amount required to fund a special needs TRUST. However, how much to put into the TRUST depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of the disability and the level of care required. Trusts can also be funded by family assets, inheritances, or even life insurance policies that pay when one or both parents pass away. How do I decide what is best for my family? Every Special Needs TRUST situation is unique, therefore the only way to determine which special needs TRUST is right for your family is to meet with a qualified attorney to discuss your needs. 6 Questions to Ask Your Elder Law AttorneyBy Jeanne St. Onge At some point, you may need to consult with an attorney regarding long-term care for yourself or a loved one. When setting up an appointment with an attorney, ask a trusted loved one to come with you to meet your elder law attorney, as a second set of ears and eyes. Click through the photos below for our top 6 questions to ask when trying to find the best elder law attorney for your needs.
Q&A Series with |
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Types of Long-Term Care
 | HOME CARE
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COMMUNITY SERVICES
- Support services offered during the day
- Examples include adult day care, senior centers, meal programs, transportation services, etc.
CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES
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ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT
- A second living area connected to a home or on the same property as a friend or family member
 | RESIDENTIAL CARE COMMUNITIES
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Unsure of Your Next Steps?
We understand that long-term care can be very expensive, and trying to navigate how to finance this care is an overwhelming task.
Rest assured that we are here to help! When looking into selecting a long-term care plan for you or your loved one, be sure to contact us at Bassett Murray Law Group, PLLC (734) 930-9200. We will help you understand all the long-term care options and financing available to you to fit your unique situation.
Rest assured that we are here to help! When looking into selecting a long-term care plan for you or your loved one, be sure to contact us at Bassett Murray Law Group, PLLC (734) 930-9200. We will help you understand all the long-term care options and financing available to you to fit your unique situation.
| Bassett Murray Law Group, PLLC has released the first issue of their brand new Newsletter: THE BMLG BULLETIN. Included in this issue:
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World elder abuse awareness day - June 15th
By Jeanne St. Onge
WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY
Commemorated on June 15th each year, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an opportunity for people or organizations to take action to protect older people by raising awareness about elder abuse, why it occurs, and what we can do to stop it.
WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE?
Elder abuse refers to intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted individual that causes harm to an older person. Elder abuse takes many forms, including:
Commemorated on June 15th each year, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an opportunity for people or organizations to take action to protect older people by raising awareness about elder abuse, why it occurs, and what we can do to stop it.
WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE?
Elder abuse refers to intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted individual that causes harm to an older person. Elder abuse takes many forms, including:
- Neglect or Isolation
- Physical Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Financial Abuse and Exploitation
- Emotion or Psychological Abuse
WAYS TO PREVENT ELDER ABUSE
1. Build public awareness and grass-roots involvement
1. Build public awareness and grass-roots involvement
- Talk about the issue to increase the identification and reporting of abuse by the public, professionals, and older people who experience abuse
- Provide older people who experience abuse with a safe environment to speak out and tell their stories
- Begin long-term prevention by raising awareness of solutions among students and young people
- Challenge injustices and ageist stereotypes
2. Enhance services for older people who experience abuse
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3. Enhance system responses
- To improve the training of state adult protective services workers so they are prepared to respond to increasing numbers of elder abuse reports
- To improve continuing education for mandated reporters on: risk factors and red flags of elder abuse, what to do when they suspect elder abuse, where to report suspicions, and how to respond most effectively
4. Research
- The scope of the problem (i.e., incidence and prevalence)
- The causes of the problem
- The effectiveness of interventions and prevention strategies
- The impact and monetary costs of elder abuse on the lives of older people, families, communities, and society in general.
5. Be a "sentinel"
- Keep in contact and talk with your older friends, neighbors, and relatives frequently
- Be aware and alert for the possibility of abuse
- Look around and take note of what may be happening with your older neighbors and acquaintances
- Ask questions and listen
 | For more information, Visit the website of the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) at https://ncea.acl.gov. Download your own copy of "Building Strong Support for Elders" by clicking the download button below. |
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