Accidental Safari: A guide for navigating the challenges that come with aging. At any time an unexpected health crisis or financial setback can suddenly propel us into unknown territory. As we age facing an uncertain future without a plan is like taking an “Accidental Safari” without a map. Attorney/Author Richard C. Tizzano, a trusted advocate in Elder Law and Crisis Management, guides us through the jungles of Medicaid, Medicare, and health insurance; wills, directives, and powers of attorney; long-term care facilities and residential options; financial resources and regulations; and spiritual support systems. With compassionate, often humorous, stories from the thousands of families he has helped, Tizzano shows us clear pathways that lead to peace of mind in the areas of:
• Healthcare: Decision-making under pressure; the importance of having an advocate
• Housing: Options for facility types, and the levels and costs of care• Finances and Insurance: Resources available to cover unexpected expenses
• Programs: Setting a course through Medicaid & Medicare
• Legal: Necessary documents to protect your assets and empower your advocates
• Spiritual: Providing support and hope for the journey. You wouldn’t travel the jungle without preparation, so why face your future without a trusted guidebook?
Whether you’re planning for the future, supporting an elderly loved one, or already struggling with an Accidental Safari, this book will prepare you for the journey and keep you moving in the right direction.
Attorney Tizzano’s useful debut alerts elderly readers and their caregivers that it’s never too soon to prepare for their medical and financial future. The book provides tools to prepare for the three most common risks leading to hospitalization or death: an accident, deterioration of the body, and disorders of the mind such as ALS or dementia. Tizzano backs up his advice with statistics and numerous anecdotes from his career as an elder care attorney. He deciphers the complex and sometimes incomprehensible landscape of Medicare, such as the difference between “medical care” and “health care” and how being “admitted as a patient” differs from being in the hospital for “observation.” He describes the unique needs of “lions” (people living in a pride full of friends and family) versus “tigers” (an orphan elderly living a solitary life). He also discusses creating a “Life Care Book” of medications, healthcare directives, and funeral arrangements, and advises readers to understand the fine print of their life insurance policies. Filled with empathy and urgency, Tizzano’s eye-opening manual will be of benefit to any reader concerned with what happens deep into retirement. (BookLife)
