Seniors' Rights : Your Legal Guide to Living Life to the Fullest

I am the Editor In Chief of the Retirement Intelligence Information Services newsletter available at retirementcalc.com. This book is a great resource for those who are entering their senior years or those of you with parents who are seniors. Brette McWhorter Sember, the book's author, is a retired Attorney. The book is well-written in easy to understand terms. All legal and technical terms are clearly explained. It is obvious that Ms. Sember is passionate about helping senior's put the information in her book to use: practical and useful information are the foundation of this book. The chapters are as follows: Chapter 1: Finances Chapter 2: Health Insurance Chapter 3: Health Care Chapter 4: Lifestyle Chapter 5: Housing Chapter 6: Safety Chapter 7: Family Issues I found this chapter especially useful. The topics covered are rarely covered in other books about the retirement years. These topics include: grandparents' visitation rights, raising grandchildren, divorce, remarriage, cohabitation, and stepfamily issues. Chapter 8: Planning for the Future Chapter 9: Loss of a Spouse Chapter 10: Discrimination and Disabilities Chapter 11: Veterans' Rights Chapter 12: Legal Assistance Appendix A: Organizations Includes resources from AARP to Visiting Nurses Association of America. Appendix B: Websites Gives web resources on topics from driving to nursing homes. Appendix C: Senior Legal Hotline Directory Provides the hotline contact information for each of the 50 states. Appendix D: State-Specific Resources Resources from Agency on Aging to Elder Abuse Hotline Numbers are given and broken-down by state. Appendix E: Nursing Home Residents' Rights in the U.S. A quick 8-page guide to rights for nursing home residents. Appendix F: Nursing Home Checklist A ten-page checklist to help you evaluate nursing homes. Appendix G: Forms Includes: medical authorization, permission to release medical information and basic information organization sheet forms. In addition to the resources provided in the appendixes, "Senior Tip" boxes are sprinkled throughout the book. The under $15 price tag can easily be recouped by implementing just one of the tips in this book. But, more importantly, the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have taken the steps to protect your future no matter what life has in store for you - that is priceless.

This book is a must-read for seniors, or those caring for seniors, as it offers comprehensive information on retaining control. Control of finances, health care choices, housing options, personal and home safety, and family issues such as life after the death of a spouse and visitation rights with grandchildren when divorce enters the picture. What I like best about the book are the "senior tips" sprinkled throughout the chapters. Also helpful are the seven appendix sections that highlight forms, state-specific resources, and organizations all working to help seniors live life to the fullest. While I plan to give copies of this book to my parents and in-laws, a copy will remain on my bookshelf. It gives me peace of mind to know I can step in as a knowledgeable advocate for them, if needed.