When a loved one becomes chronically ill or disabled, the individuals who become caregivers often find themselves reeling, seeking whatever means possible to cope with this new hole and role in their life. Unfortunately, for many, during this time they are also faced with a variety of difficult decisions to make on behalf of their loved one, a frightening and daunting task they may have been unaware was theirs.
Thankfully, law firms such as Anderson Elder Law are making sure that the types of decisions—health, legal and financial—and planning that are associated with illness and disability that may or may not occur during later years in life are properly dealt with ahead of time, reducing as much stress as possible when these things happen.
Linda M. Anderson, Esq., J.D., LL.M., Certified Elder Law Attorney, founded the Media-based elder law firm eight years ago to help individuals deal with the legal, financial and care coordination aspects of all these areas. As Anderson notes, though, elder law has become somewhat of a misnomer, as it is an ever-changing field of law and involves assisting clients of all ages.
“The role of an elder law attorney has really expanded during the past decade,” she explains. “The expertise used to assist those who may need long-term care later in life is also used to help those with special disability needs or sudden illness, which can occur at any age. Our role is to educate our clients to insure that they receive the highest quality care in the least restrictive setting, as well as benefit from the programs that exist to assist in the payment of long-term care.”
The issues and decisions that Anderson and her team help individuals navigate include wills, specialized financial powers of attorney, special-needs trusts, asset protection planning for long-term medical care for the elderly and disabled, Veterans’ aid and attendance planning, and life-care plans among other things. Regardless of the client’s particular situation, Anderson Elder Law works with the individual and decision makers to guide them through a difficult and stressful process. Additionally, for clients in need of special needs planning, Anderson Elder Law helps to plan a safety net for the future of the children so that they continue to receive the proper emotional and financial support after a parent passes away.
With their offices inhabiting an old home, the environment that clients are introduced to at Anderson Elder Law is aimed at making them feel at home and comfortable around these women who are helping them plan out their later lives. Each of the women at Anderson Elder Law has her own story and connection that makes her properly equipped to help these individuals.
“We try to really make clients feel comfortable,” explains Ann Vetrano, a paralegal at Anderson Elder Law. “We want to make them feel like they’re seeing their friend or neighbor rather than a formal attorney.”
In doing so, the staff is able to help individuals open up about all of their fears before, during and after this process, using their own experiences to relate to the clients. Because of this, it is not uncommon to find stacks of letters and memorabilia from past and present clients thanking the women for all that they helped them get through during these incredibly difficult times, truly reflective of the firm’s hard work and dedication.
“We need to be flexible and concerned about the person,” says paralegal Leslie Rindone, who specializes in estate administration at Anderson Elder Law. “Most of us are of an age where we have elderly parents, but we’ve lived through some of the same experiences that the clients have that gives us tender hearts toward what they’re going through.”
Anderson Elder Law
206 Old State Road
Media, PA 19063
610-566-4700 | www.andersonelderlaw.com
Photography by Jody Robinson
