en-us12/3/2008 7:57:09 PM12/3/2008 7:57:09 PM5Caregiverlisthttp://www.caregiverlist.comSenior Home Care Agency - What would I need to be considered as companion or caregiver? I have been in the U.S. for one year. I do not have experience in this country, it would be my first job. I have experience, but just in my country Guatemala. Thank you so much for your question.  There are many things you can do to make it easier for you to find good work here in the US as a caregiver.  From my perspective, as the owner of a home care agency, I want my caregiver applicants to ma...http://caregiverlist.com/ShowAnswer.aspx?QuestionId=8011/19/2008 10:54:39 AMElder Law - Hi Ben, A few years ago, my unemployed brother moved into our family home to take care of my elderly mother. While we all appreciate his inestimable contribution (I'm not sure we could have afforded this level of 24 hr. care), a few things have begun to distress us. He's begun withholding information about her health (a possible cancer scare--which proved, thankfully, false). There's also reason to believe he talked her into leaving her entire estate to him alone. While we don't begrudge him his due, we believe the family should be apprised of her decisions. A direct confrontation with him is not a viable option. Do we have any legal recourse to being kept in the loop for present and future decisions regarding our mother? Thanks.You have a very difficult situation which has no good answers. What you suspect is that your brother may be exerting a type of "undue influence" on your mother. This can happen when your mother only has contact with one person and is socially isolated fro...http://caregiverlist.com/ShowAnswer.aspx?QuestionId=8611/19/2008 10:49:02 AMReverse Mortgage - In this current economic climate, is it more difficult to get a reverse mortgage?No, it is not more difficult to get a reverse mortgage in this economic climate.  Reverse mortgages have been insulated from the recent turmoil because they are government insured.  With this government backing, those who get a reverse mortgage ...http://caregiverlist.com/ShowAnswer.aspx?QuestionId=8310/28/2008 7:22:22 AMReverse Mortgage - I am 62 yrs old,My home is worth around $550,000.00 I owe around $295,000.00 do I qualify for a reverse mtg.What about the new higher limits Pres.Bush sign into law this summer??The higher lending limits signed into law help make the reverse mortgage even more attractive by increasing the amount that those with higher-valued homes can get from a reverse mortgage.  This has helped more seniors access more equity providing the...http://caregiverlist.com/ShowAnswer.aspx?QuestionId=8210/24/2008 2:18:59 PMLong Term Care - I have some pre-existing health problems. Will I be able to find any Long Term Care Insurance? Your situation is fairly common.  Many people only investigate long term care coverage when they learn of a medical condition that may predispose them to needing care.  Fortunately, some companies have more liberal underwriting guidelines whi...http://caregiverlist.com/ShowAnswer.aspx?QuestionId=7310/13/2008 1:16:55 PMSenior Home Care Agency - I have been a stay at home mom for about 4 years I'm interested in becoming a caregiver for the elderly. I don't have professional references can I still be hired? What can I put down for that part of application? I do have personal references.This all depends on the company that you are applying with.  Some companies do not request professional references.  If you don't have any work related experience, or its been awhile, ask the company if they will allow you to put on the appli...http://caregiverlist.com/ShowAnswer.aspx?QuestionId=7710/2/2008 6:00:56 AMSenior Home Care Agency - How long does the general hiring process take for someone like me who is looking for a night-only position?The process varies company to company.  In most cases, it all depends on how many and how long it takes to get in touch with your references.  Some companies ask for only 3 references and ask for as many as 6.  To help the process, its a...http://caregiverlist.com/ShowAnswer.aspx?QuestionId=7810/2/2008 5:59:20 AMEstate Planning - I recently received do-it-yourself Estate Planning software. Will this be enough to protect my estate?As a lawyer, it’s difficult for me to tell you that you can create your own legal documents.  If you don’t need me to create legal documents for you, I could end up out of a job!  But, the truth of the matter is that there are some situations in...http://caregiverlist.com/ShowAnswer.aspx?QuestionId=729/30/2008 11:47:07 AMSenior Home Care Agency - I would like to become a Geriatric Care Manager. I am currently the Power of Attorney for a long time family friend who is 61 yoa, living in an assisted living facility with many debilitating illnesses. I assist and take care of many of her life needs and wants. Please assist me so that I can begin the training and certification etc. that is necessary to make this a reality. I live in south Florida. If becoming a Certified Geriatric Care Manager is your intent, I would advise you do the following: Go to the web-site of the Nat'l Assoc. of Professional Care Managers, www.caremanager.org and learn more about becoming Care Manager to ensure it compl...http://caregiverlist.com/ShowAnswer.aspx?QuestionId=769/23/2008 7:16:58 AMElder Law - My parents are in the their 80's and are in declining health. They live in a small town with few "professional" resources. They want to pay my brother to care for them, and money is not an issue. What is the legal way to do this, considering tax benefits/legality for all of them (parents and brother)? Thanks... Your parents can certainly pay your brother to provide care for them.  However, it is very likely that your brother will be considered their employee for purposes of income and employment taxes. You should see an accountant to explain the ramif...http://caregiverlist.com/ShowAnswer.aspx?QuestionId=719/22/2008 7:15:50 AM