Coffee Talk Presentation at Nichols Village

Pictured: Charles Balanoff, Elaine Dalton and Celeste Begley

In March, Right at Home Community Relations team hosted our quarterly Coffee Talk presentation at Nichols Village in Groveland MA. The topic of the presentation was Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy: Understanding Types, Benefits and Limitations. Featured speakers were Charles Balanoff and Attorney Elaine Dalton, local professionals in Groveland, MA. In attendance from the Right at Home Community Relations team were Celeste Begley Community Relations Director and Victoria Guskiewicz, Community Relations Coordinator.

The event was held at the Library at Nichols Village. Nichols Village is an active adult independent living community located in Groveland, MA with 120 residents. The community offers an environment that presents a strong sense of community and engagement.

Elaine Dalton is an Estate Planning Attorney in Groveland, Massachusetts. Dalton assists her clients with creating specific strategies to plan for their futures. Whether it is through Contract Negotiation Wills, Estate and Trust Planning or even Prenuptial Agreements, her expertise and legal knowledge makes the process simple. In addition, Dalton specializes in Elder Law geared for individuals aged 60 and over.

Elaine kicked off the presentation by introducing herself, her professional role, and areas of expertise and moved into a Q&A style presentation where she asked the audience. Elaine has been practicing law in the local area for the last years.

Estate planning documents include Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy and Will. It is important to create an estate plan to deal with your assets and provide for your loved ones after your death. Why you may ask? Well, assets in your own name at the time of your death are subject to probate. Probate can be time consuming and can be accompanied by significant costs. How to avoid probate? Create a revocable trust and many other ways that you can choose by working with an estate planning attorney.

Elaine's Tips

• It is important to have your documents looked at by an attorney every couple of years (3-5) to make sure everything is up to date and accurate.
• Keep copies of your Health Care Proxy, Power of Attorney and Will where you can find them when you need them. For example, Health Care Proxy, Dalton suggests keeping a copy with you and in the glove box of your car in case of an accident and/or emergency for first responders to easily locate. Wills. The importance of a Will is significant, even if you do not think you have anything, everyone has something. An audience member asked, “Once signed do you have to register a Will?” The answer according to Dalton, no you do not. You only use the Will once you pass.
• Do Not Resuscitate Form. Many participants asked Elaine, about a DNR or “Do Not Resuscitate” document. Elaine stated, while this document can only be created by a doctor never by an attorney, it is still a very important document to have.
• MOLST Document. Elaine discussed the importance of everyone in the room to have a MOLST document created by their doctors. The MOLST document is a bright pink form, and it goes over every conceivable medical treatment in detail. Some important information includes: do you want to avoid having life sustaining treatment, reside in a long-term care facility etc. This MOLST form should be kept in a safe place along with your DNR HCP form on your fridge.

One resident asked, “what happens if you move to another state?” Dalton stated that it is important to have these updated and have an attorney review.

Charles Balanoff is president of ElderCare Advantage. Balanoff discussed with residents the Veterans Aide and Attendance Benefit and how he works with individuals to apply. This benefit is a pension that provides qualified individuals a reduced cost for care services for Veterans and surviving spouses. The pension can provide up to $1,500 per month to the Veteran and up to $1,100 to the spouse. The benefit can be used for in-home care, assisted living and more.