Nursing home evictions, affordable housing crisis for seniors explored in ABA e-journal

The American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging has released its January-February 2020 issue of BIFOCAL e-journal, which features stories about a disturbing trend involving nursing homes evicting residents after Medicare coverage ends and before the lower reimbursement rate of Medicaid kicks in, a possible housing affordability crisis for seniors and a guide to help lawyers and social services successfully apply for VA pension benefits for their clients. 

The January-February 2020 issue is a collection of articles written by some of the country’s foremost law and aging experts who are available to media outlets seeking sources.
Experts and their articles include:

• “Residents in Skilled Nursing Facilities Face Growing Concerns Over Evictions.” In a troubling trend, nursing homes are increasingly evicting residents when their Medicare coverage ends despite that residents have Medicaid coverage, which pays a lower reimbursement rate. Some residents are taken to hotels, storage facilities, or driven to other cities by these nursing homes. By Robyn Grant and Lori Smetanka

• “Affordable Housing Needs Projected to Grow for Seniors.” At a time when the shortage of affordable housing in communities around the U.S. makes the headlines, another less visible housing crisis is also intensifying. The number of elderly people with “worst-case housing needs” – defined as renters with very low incomes who do not receive government housing assistance and pay more than one-half of their income for rent, live in severely inadequate conditions, or both – is increasing rapidly. By Lisa Sitkin

• “Facilitating Pension Benefits for Veterans and Surviving Spouses.” It can take a year or more for military veterans, their surviving spouses, and their families to successfully seek VA pension benefits. This article, written by Naomi Rodda, serves as a guide to service providers who assist veterans and surviving spouses to get benefits that they’re entitled to – benefits that are life-changing for many people.

• “The Challenges of Caring for the Growing Elderly Population.” The U.S. is not prepared for the difficulties and obstacles that the growing number of elderly persons living with progressive disabilities will pose – and within just 15 years. By Joanne Lynn

• “It’s Time to Plan for Elder Law Day!” Planning for Elder Lay Day is essential to help make the annual spring event a success. The Commission on Law and Aging has developed a timeline to guide you as Elder Law Day approaches. Written by Louraine Arkfeld, chair of the Commission on Law and Aging

BIFOCAL e-journal provides important information about recent developments in law and aging and provides timely, legal resources pertaining to older persons. It is published bi-monthly.