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May 2018

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

By Health

Approximately 610,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. every year, making it the leading cause of death for both men and women. Additionally, about 735,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to a section of the heart becomes blocked and the heart is unable to receive oxygen. Most heart attacks occur due to Coronary Heart Disease, a condition in which plaque builds up inside an individual’s coronary arteries.

Here’s a list of common symptoms of a heart attack:

  • Pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Unusual feelings of fatigue
  • Arm, back, shoulder, neck, jaw or upper stomach pain
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat
  • Vomiting

If you believe that someone may be having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately and get them to the nearest hospital.

May 29, 2018
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How to Tell Loved Ones that You are Terminally Ill

By Health

If you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, finding a way to tell your loved ones is very difficult and emotionally taxing. If you find yourself faced with this challenge, you may not know where to start. While the process of conveying a terminal illness to relatives is different for everyone, here are some tips to facilitate the conversation:

Be Direct.

  • When approaching a difficult topic, it is best to cut right to the chase. Getting the information out there will lift the burden off of you and allow your loved ones to get a clear view of what your illness entails and of what the future may hold.

 

Don’t be afraid to show emotion.

  • Though your natural inclination may be to appear strong for those that you love, don’t feel the need to hide your emotions. Dying is scary, and it is okay to express your fears to those who care about you. They will understand that you are dealing with complex emotions and will do everything in their power to make this process as easy on you as possible.

 

Be prepared to answer questions.

  • Though you are familiar with the terms of your illness and may already be prepared for your end-of-life process, your loved ones are not. Be prepared for them to ask difficult questions such as “How long do you have left?” or “Are you sure there aren’t any other treatment options available?” Though you may not be able to alleviate all of your loved ones concerns, allow them to ask questions and create an open dialogue with you, as it will help the acceptance process.

 

Write down what you want to say before you start the conversation.

  • As this conversation is difficult to have, it may be helpful to write down the key points that you wish to address in your discussion. That way, you won’t forget to say anything that you feel is important and you will have notes to reference if you need them. This is especially helpful if you feel that you or your loved ones will become highly emotional throughout the course of the talk.

 

Give your loved ones a chance to process the news.

  • Though you may have made peace with your illness, the revelation that you are dying will be shocking news for your loved ones. They may have trouble accepting what you are telling them right away; this is natural. Give them time to process this information, as they may not know how to react at first.
May 25, 2018
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What is osteoporosis?

By Health

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bone density and bone quality are reduced. Osteoporosis causes bones to become more porous and brittle, which increases the risk of fracture. An estimated 54 million Americans over the age of 50 are affected by low bone mass or osteoporosis, and that number is expected to rise another 14 million by 2020.

The body is constantly absorbing and replacing bone tissue, but with osteoporosis the development of new bone cannot keep up with the removal of old bone. Generally, patients with osteoporosis do not experience any symptoms until the first bone fracture occurs. Though osteoporosis cannot be cured, it can be treated.

To prevent osteoporosis, adults should:

  • Maintain a healthy, nutritious diet
  • Consume adequate amounts of calcium
  • Maintain an appropriate supply of Vitamin D
  • Avoid drinking heavily
  • Avoid smoking
  • Participate regularly in exercise
  • Avoid malnutrition
May 22, 2018
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The Different Types of Macular Degeneration: Dry Macular Degeneration

By Health

As explained in the last installment of our blog regarding this topic, macular degeneration is an eye condition affecting the macula that causes central vision loss. Additionally, age-related macular degeneration is the most common form of macular degeneration and it comes in two forms: wet and dry.

85-90% of people afflicted with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) suffer from the dry form. Dry macular degeneration results in the deterioration of layers in the retina due to the gradual breakdown of light-sensitive cells in the macula. These cells are responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain, and when they break down it results in a blurring of an individual’s central vision. Symptoms of this form of macular degeneration usually develop gradually and without pain. These may include, but are not limited to:

  • Multiple small, round, yellow-white spots in the back of the eye (can be detected through use of an ophthalmoscope)
  • Visual distortion
  • Reduced central vision in one or both eyes
  • Difficulty recognizing faces
  • Difficulty adapting to low light levels
  • Blurriness of printed word
  • Visual distortions
  • Decreased intensity of colors
May 18, 2018
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The Different Types of Macular Degeneration: Wet Macular Degeneration

By Health

Macular degeneration is an eye condition that is caused by deterioration of the retina (the interior layer of the eye). Macular degeneration affects the macula, which is the part of the retina that gives us clear, detailed vision. With macular degeneration, an individual loses their central vision and cannot see fine details, but their peripheral vision remains unimpaired (imagine looking at someone and having a blurry, black dot where their face should be but still being able to see the outline of their figure).Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common type of macular degeneration and is also the leading cause of blindness in Americans over 55. There are two types of AMD: the wet form and the dry form.

Wet macular degeneration is the most advanced form of AMD and, though it only afflicts 10-15% of individuals with macular degeneration, it causes 90% of the severe vision loss caused by this condition. Wet macular degeneration is generally caused by abnormal blood vessels that grow under the retina and leak fluid or blood into the macula. The symptoms of wet macular degeneration usually appear suddenly and advance quickly. These symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

  • Reduced central vision in one or both eyes
  • Visual distortion
  • Hazy vision
  • A blurry or blind-spot in your field of vision
  • Decreased ability to view colors
  • Impaired ability to see detail
  • Rapid onset and development of symptoms
May 15, 2018
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The New Estoppel Law

By Elder Law, Real Estate

Estoppel is the legal principle that prevents an individual from making assertions that are contradictory to their previous statements before the court or are contradictory to what has legally been established as the truth. Estoppel can operate by way of stopping someone from making a certain assertion in court, exercising a certain right, or from bringing a particular claim. In spring of 2017, two new bills related to estoppels in the context of homeowners associations cleared both Florida legislative chambers and have been in effect since July 1st, 2017. These bills are Senate Bill 398 and House Bill 483.

The following bullets explain the most noteworthy components of the legislation and the changes that these bills have made:

  • Associations have 10 days to produce an Estoppel certificate
  • Estoppel certificates must be valid for at least 30 days
  • Estoppel certificate fees cannot exceed $250 and rush fees cannot exceed $100
  • No fees may be charged for amending Estoppel certificates
  • Clarifies what must be included in an Estoppel certificate (more information must now be provided to the purchaser by the association)
  • Associations may still charge fees, but may be required to reimburse them if the property is not sold

These new bills are beneficial to title agents, buyers, sellers, closing agents and realtors by keeping costs lower and making the overall estoppel process move more quickly. Bach & Jacobs, P.A. provides title insurance of closing services for real estate transactions and can assist you if you purchase or sell real estate that is part of a homeowners or a condo association.

May 11, 2018
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Older Americans Month

By Firm News

In 1963, John F. Kennedy declared May to be Senior Citizens Month and in 1980, President Jimmy Carter decided to change Senior Citizens Month to Older Americans Month. This month, we celebrate the lives of our older Americans and reflect upon their many contributions to our nation. Everyone here at Bach & Jacobs would like to thank our clients, friends, loved ones and all our country’s senior citizens for their extraordinary contributions to our Nation. Make sure to celebrate the Older Americans in your life this month and remember that none of us would be here without them. Happy Older Americans Month!

 

May 8, 2018
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Long-Term Care Benefits for Veterans

By Long-Term Care, Veterans Affairs

There are more than 12.4 million veterans over 65 who have served our country in a multitude of ways. Elderly Veterans may be eligible for a variety of benefits that are available, including: disability, pension, compensation, health care, education, home loans, insurance, employment, burial and vocational rehabilitation.

There are two programs geared specifically towards elderly veterans that provide them with additional money if they are eligible for receiving a pension benefit. The first, Aid and Attendance, will be given to veterans who are either bedridden, residing in a nursing home, have significantly impaired vision or require help performing daily functions. The second program, Housebound, gives veterans an augmented pension if they are confined to their immediate premises due to a disability that is permanently inflicted upon them.

Healthcare benefits are often provided to elderly veterans as well. Elderly veterans with a myriad of healthcare needs can receive geriatric care either in their residence, at VA medical centers, in long-term care programs or in the community.

To learn more about these benefits and to determine your eligibility or that of a loved one, visit the Veterans Affairs website and peruse the “benefits” section. To apply, you can go online and complete the process through eBenefits, work with a representative or go to a VA regional office and have an employee assist you. Babette Bach, esq. is a Board Certified Elder Lawyer and can advise you about public benefits available to seniors, including veterans benefits.

 

May 4, 2018
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National Elder Law Month

By Elder Law, Firm News

May has been designated as National Elder Law Month by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Elder Law is a broad field of legal practice that encompasses important life processes including, but not limited to: Estate Planning, Medicaid, Tax Law, Probate Administration and Asset Protection Planning. We would like to thank the talented attorneys at Bach & Jacobs for their commitment to providing service of the utmost quality in the field of Elder Law as well as the clients that make their jobs possible. Happy National Elder Law Month!

For assistance regarding any Elder Law needs, contact our offices at 941- 906-1231 to schedule an appointment with one our attorneys.

May 1, 2018
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