New Jersey - Bergen and Passaic Counties

Selling your items is a big commitment, but you can get cash for your things. There are a lot of options out there, but this article will focus on three separate ways to get your possessions sold: Online sales Auction salesEstate sales Online SalesFrom Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist to Next Door and Ebay, there are a variety of ways you can sell everything from furniture to clothing. You have to do the work which includes posting your items with photos and a description, setting a price and dealing with questions from interested buyers. This takes some time and you should be cautious about who you are meeting if you agree to sell something to a stranger.  Auction SalesAuctions sales are an easy way for someone else to do the work for you. You can choose to have an auctioneer come to your home and hold a sale on your property if you have enough possessions. The advantage to using an auction house is that they have experience with what is popular and sells well. Plus, people follow certain auction houses which can bring an automatic audience for the sale.  Estate SalesEstate sales are a way to clear almost everything out of a home. Typically, estate sales are used when someone needs to move out quickly or after a death of the homeowner. Estate sale professionals can charge you several different ways such as one price for the entire sale or a portion of the proceeds. Make sure you understand all the terms upfront and look for someone who is bonded and insured since people will be on your property.  WayForth can help you or a family member with our comprehensive moving solutions including downsizing, space planning, packing and moving, and unpacking, and settling in your set-up in a new home, contact our moving professionals today at 817-697-4478 or go to our website to learn more! 

As the population continues to age, the elderly are becoming more and more vulnerable to scam artists. These scams can come in many forms, both legal and illegal, that impact negatively on the vulnerable elderly.Seniors are often the target of these schemes because they are easier to prey on than younger people. By their nature, seniors are more trusting, and in many cases, are unlikely to report fraud to the proper authorities. Even when seniors report these crimes, they are often poor witnesses. Their age and memory make them poor candidates to report needed details to prosecute these individuals.Fraud comes in many forms: identity theft, telemarketing scams, counterfeit drug scams, loan fraud, home improvement fraud, prizes and sweepstake scams, mail fraud, information mining, internet scams, the sale of legal goods and services that are totally unneeded, and lastly, Medicare and Medicaid fraud. One kind of scam involves caretaker theft. Seniors are becoming more and more dependent on care takers, be they family members, or live-in employees. Eventually the senior can become completely dependent on the caretaker and unscrupulous caretakers take advantage of these situations. Children should be ever watchful when in these situations. I have had cases where seniors have given away homes and other very valuable assets to their caretakers. New Jersey has laws to protect seniors in these situations and if you suspect such abuse, please see an experienced elder law attorney immediately.Seniors and their families need to become educated in ways to protect their nest egg and their safety. Most fraud occurs when seniors are alone, childless or have little contact with their children. Seniors can protect themselves by seeking help from trusted relatives and professionals. Many times they resist this help, thinking that they may lose control of their lives. They must be persuaded otherwise. See an attorney to obtain a financial power of attorney, will and living will is a good start. Hiring a geriatric care manager to evaluate the seniors needs can prove invaluable. If you have any desire to discuss these issues further, we will provide you with a free initial consultation.Finally guarding your credit information, being aware of imposters and being a smart consumer are the best things they can do.Editors Note: Michael A. Manna is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Boston College and a Cum Laude Graduate of Boston College Law School. After working in the tax department of the CPA firm of Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co., Mr. Manna entered the private practice of law in Ridgewood, New Jersey in 1975. Mr. Manna is admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts and is a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. He is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Over the past thirty years, Mr. Manna has had extensive experience as a lecturer on legal topics for various boards of education and educational institutions. He can be reached at 201-447-2800.

How to Select a Subacute Rehabilitation FacilityA Subacute Rehabilitation Facility (SAR) provides short term nursing and rehabilitation care to assist you or your loved one, to recuperating from a hospitalization and returning to their previous lifestyle. The SAR provides a high level of supervision and patient interaction, which will assist in attaining or maintaining the highest level of physical, social and emotional well-being. After a hospitalization, your doctor may recommend or you may request a transfer to a Subacute Rehabilitation Facility. Planning Rehabilitation for RecoveryChoosing a Subacute Rehabilitation Facility can be planned ahead of time when you or a loved one are facing an elective operation such as a Joint Replacement, Heart Surgery, or Abdominal Surgery or while your loved one is unexpectedly hospitalized and a discharge is anticipated.. Subacute Rehab after an unexpected hospitalization assists someone in a weakened state to be provided with a plan of care to assist an individual to recuperate prior to returning to their previous lifestyle. Planning a visit to Subacute Facilities is important to allow you to evaluate all discharge options and to make a fully informed decision. Checklist of Concerns prior to Choosing a Subacute Rehabilitation: Tour and observe the facility to for cleanliness and a pleasant environment Is the facility Accreditated by The Joint Commission Can my primary care physician remain in charge of my care? Is physical, occupational and speech therapy provided by in house staff seven days a week? Is a physician specializing in Rehabilitation Medicine involved in the care and treatment planning? Do residents and families participate in developing the plan of care? Is there a dining area available that is attractive and inviting with dietary choices to meet my needs? Are consulting physicians on staff such as podiatrists, dentists, surgeons, psychiatrist and orthopedists? Does the facility provide outpatient rehabilitation therapy so I can continue with the same therapist? Are the rooms spacious, attractive and comfortable? Is there private space for visiting? Is the staff attentive, courteous and positive to residents and visitors? Is there an Activities Program?Making Your Decision Once you are comfortable with the Subacute Rehabilitation Facilities which you have simply asked your physician and or social worker at the hospital about your decision to transfer to that facility. The choice is yours and it is important you are part of the decision whether it is for yourself or a loved one.Editors Note: This article was provided by Paul Jendrek, M.D., Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Jendrek is currently an attending at the Regent Care Center, Polify Road, Hackensack, New Jersey.He has been in practice 20 years. Dr. Jendrick trained at Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation NYU Medical Center and now sub-specializing in Subacute Rehabilitation since 2003. He can be reached at 201-646-1166.

Sometimes its easy to know when a family member needs care and assistance. For instance, maybe he or she has a major disability or requires additional help following a hospital stay. In other cases, however, it isnt immediately obvious that your senior is in need of help with the activities of daily life.As people who have had to wrestle with our own family decisions, we thought it useful to provide early guidance, so other families might know when a more careful assessment of their seniors needs is required.Below is a list of questions to consider when determining if a loved one is in need of additional care: Pay Attention to How They Look Appearance can be a sign that they are being limited either physically or mentally from completing normal daily tasks. Are they wearing dirty or stained clothing? Have they brushed their teeth? Listen to the Senior Listening to how seniors speak can tell you a lot about their current mental status. Dont assume that old age is causing these problems. Have they forgotten to refill prescriptions or take their medicine? Have they missed doctors appointments? View the Seniors Surroundings Looking at their food and medications can help you determine if they are eating healthy or even worse, taking expired medicine. Do they have fresh and stocked pantry items? Are there piles of unopened bills? Use Your Nose Using your nose as an indicator can help you determine if your family member is bathing properly or participating in otherwise normal activities. Does their living environment possess any unpleasant odors? Are they bathing regularly? If you sense a problem based on the above indictors, you and other family members should waste no time in taking the appropriate next steps. As difficult as the process might be, keep reminding yourself that by being proactive you will not only provide safety for your family member, but will also keep them happy and healthy for years to come. Editors note: This article was submitted by Patricia Preztunik (201-483-8490) and Rich Fracaro (201-773-4900), local owners of BrightStar, a full-service in-home medical and non-medical agency offering caregiving to seniors and disabled adults. They would gladly provide assistance in these matters.