Gayle A. Reeves Co., L. P. A.

            I recently came across a study done by a research team at The Ohio State University.  It focused on the effect the stress of caregiving had on caregivers.  The team conducted a 6-year study of elderly people caring for spouses with Alzheimer’s disease.  The results were astounding to say the least.  Not only was there a significant deterioration in the health of the caregivers, but it also found that the caregivers had a 63% higher death rate than a similar group of non-caregivers. Reported in the June 30, 2003 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. ...read more

A guardian is a person who is appointed by the Probate Court to manage the financial and/or personal affairs of an individual (called the ward). Prior to approving a guardian, the Court must make a finding that the ward is mentally incompetent and in need of a guardian. It must also find that the applicant is a suitable person to serve as guardian. The guardian is answerable to the Probate Court for providing proper care to the ward and proper management of the ward’s affairs. Every two years a guardian must file a report with the Probate Court verifying the ward’s condition and/or accounting for the ward’s property. ...read more

Many people get their estate planning done, put it in a file or safe deposit box and forget about it. As with anything else in your life, your estate plan should be reviewed at least every couple of years or when a major change in your life occurs. Here is a simple test to see if your estate plan is up to date. ...read more

Alzheimer's is a terrible, progressive disease that affects one's ability to make decisions regarding personal care and financial matters. This loss of mental abilities affects how a person conducts their daily life. ...read more

Are you or do you know someone who is very close to their pets and worried about what will happen when they can no longer care for their pets or they die? This is a very common concern, regardless of a person's age. Luckily for the residents of the State of Ohio, the Ohio Trust Code specifically allows for the establishment of trusts for the care of animals. This Code sets out guidelines to use in creating such trusts, and for the Court to use in determining the validity of such trusts. ...read more

Children are watching their parents' money dwindle down due to the high cost of long-term care. Many seniors are concerned about how they are going to pay the fees for an assisted living or nursing facility when they can no longer remain in their home. ...read more

Who will take care of my affairs if I can't? How will my bills get paid if I'm in the hospital? If you are asking yourself these questions there is a simple procedure available to put your mind at ease. ...read more

A Living Will is an expression of your desires with regard to life sustaining treatment. The Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare permits you to appoint someone to make these decisions if you are unable to make them for yourself. ...read more

When a family visits an Assisted Living Community for the first time, it is not uncommon for them to experience a major jolt when they hear the monthly cost. From a marketing perception, it is awesome to bring a "relief" to their dilemma and to hear and see the sign of relief when I point them in the direction of receiving Aid and Attendance. ...read more

There may come a time when a person realizes that they cannot stay in their home any longer. It may be because of deteriorating health, an inability to maintain the home, or to provide meals for themselves. Sometimes loneliness will drive a person to look for someplace to live where they can have the company of others. ...read more