Susan was worried about the cost of her husband's upcoming nursing home care. She had been caring for her husband Thomas as well as she could, but soon he was going to need more care than she could provide to him at home. Susan, being younger than her husband, was worried that the nursing home would eat up all of their savings, and that she would have nothing left on which to live.
Read MoreRobert and Kathleen had been married for 48 years, and have four children. Robert suffered a stroke and, following a stay in the hospital and some in-patient rehabilitation, was sent home. Kathleen cared for Robert for more than a year, even though her duties stressed her mental and physical health considerably. Robert had successive minor strokes and, eventually, Kathleen was unable to continue to take care of Robert, as she could not lift him on her own, her children all lived out of town, and Robert’s care needs made in home care prohibitive. Fortunately for Kathleen, she was able to admit Robert into a nursing home nearby, because Kathleen never learned to drive.
Read MoreEdward was admitted to a nursing home in November 1999, suffering from dementia. He was a widower and had three sons. He had $138,600 in savings at this time and a monthly income of $1,800. His nursing home and medical expenses were approximately $6,000 per month. In 1991, Edward had created a Last Will and Testament, a General Durable Power of Attorney for Property Management, a Health Care Power of Attorney and a Living Will. His sons were named as agents on these documents, in the order of oldest to youngest, and the children were named as equal beneficiaries under the Will.
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