Have you heard how challenging it can be to interact with the Department of Veterans Affairs (the VA)? The VA’s reputation may be well-earned, but there are steps you can take to expedite the VA pension application process, according to Chris Johnson, an attorney at Takacs McGinnis Elder Care Law, a Life Care Planning Law Firm in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Chris, a Marine Corps veteran who served as an attorney in the U.S. military for nearly a decade before joining Takacs McGinnis, shares four “Pro-Tips” that separate successful claims from those that get stuck in the system.

Attorneys who practice Life Care Planning often have dramatic elder care stories of their own. Miles Hurley, founder of Hurley Elder Care Law, a Life Care Planning Law Firm in Atlanta, Georgia, is no exception. He came to the practice of Life Care Planning in 2005 after providing care for nine different family members.

Any elder law firm that offers Life Care Planning relies on a team of legal and non-legal professionals who work together to support and guide families during an elderly loved one’s long-term care journey. What role do paralegals play in the process?

To answer this question, we consulted Lisa Sparks, a paralegal at Kimbrough Law, a Life Care Planning Law Firm with offices in Athens and Gainesville, Georgia.

Elder care coordinators can come from many different backgrounds. Social work, public health, and healthcare are just a few fields that produce top-notch elder care coordinators. One of the most powerful skill combinations happens when a person with a Registered Nursing background steps into the role.

Anyone can fall. But not everyone has to. It’s especially true for older adults. Falls are extremely common.

The facts are startling. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Research on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is taking place all over the United States. There are two broad categories of research: pharmacological (drug) and non-pharmacological (non-drug). The goal of research is to discover a cure for the disease and to improve treatment options. There is also a focus on research that will help people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias experience a better quality of life. Research that examines the impact of being a caregiver to a person with dementia, and how to reduce the stress of caregiving is also being conducted.

Is a trust right for your situation? It’s a common question. Anyone starting to think ahead to their own—or a family member’s—potential long-term care journey may be wondering if they should look into setting up a trust.

Though no two days are exactly alike for attorneys leading Life Care Planning Law Firms, they tend to settle into a general rhythm. That’s how it is for Mary Kay Furiasse, an attorney and founder of A/Z Health & Elder Law, a Life Care Planning Law Firm in Warrenville, Illinois.