Issue 3, May 2007
FEATURE ARTICLE - Act 43 - Nursing Homes and the Return of Debtor's Prison | HEALTHLINE - Tai Chi Can Boost Immunity Against Shingle |
LIFE CARE PLANNING - Meet The O'Neill Family | CAREGIVER HELPLINE - Caring For Someone With Dementia |

Meet The O'Neill Family - Life Care Planning Brought Solutions and Relief

Life was good for Tom and Frani O'Neill, of St. Davids. He had recently retired from a successful career in advertising. Their two daughters were doing well in college. But in the blink of an eye, he and his family found themselves face to face with the physical, financial and emotional challenges that can come with aging. It began with a single misstep.

Tom's mother, Betty O'Neill, 83, had come for a visit. She fell while taking a walk, fracturing her pelvis and shattering her arm. Through the surgery and rehabilitation that followed, it became clear to Tom, Frani and Tom's sister, Sally DiDonato, that Betty could no longer live on her own.

"She had been living alone in her house before she fell, and seemed to be doing so well," Tom says. "We didn't realize the struggles she was having, both physical and cognitively."

When they began looking at assisted living facilities, they realized how much they didn't know about the legal, financial and care aspects of this new world they suddenly found themselves in. "You can't know this unless you live it," Tom says. "You invest your heart and soul in it. I thought a successful business career had given me a good grasp of financial issues, but this is so complex you could spend 24 hours a day trying to learn it, and still be woefully behind."

Tom and his family were frustrated because the time they spent researching options and issues took them away from where they wanted to be--with Mom. Their lives turned around when a friend referred them to Levandowski & Darpino. They met with Henry Levandowski and Ruth Valentine.

"We knew immediately they would do everything in their power to make this right for Mom and for us." Tom says. "They were proactive, taking care of whatever needed to be done. They have an amazing knowledge of both the care and legal systems, plus they're exceedingly likeable people. Their dedication allowed our hearts and minds to be with Mom, and to provide the care, love and concern that only family can provide."

Finding Care
Henry and Ruth moved into action before the Life Care Planning Agreement was even finished. Ruth met with Betty and the staff at the rehabilitation center, while Henry took care of legal and financial contracts and documentation. They found a perfect match for Betty at Haverford Estates, and stayed with the family through the transition to assisted living.

"Ruth has an incredible knowledge of the elderly and their feelings, and she knows the industry and the people in it. She knew this was a good fit. She also knew what a huge transition this was for us, and by taking care of all the details we could spend our time helping Mom with the move. Ruth visited Mom every other day to make sure she was ok."

Managing Financial and Legal Issues
In the meantime, Henry was investigating their insurance coverage and contracts, and revising wills, advance directives and asset protection plans. "We were reassured by Henry's depth of knowledge not only of current laws, but of what changes were coming in the future. He knows this business inside and out, and has been involved in the process as an advisor to the Commonwealth and to his associates. He helped us figure how best to protect Mom's assets so that no matter how long she lived, she would have money available. We would never have been able to do this on our own," Tom says.

Betty is doing well today. She's had some ups and downs, and Ruth and Henry have been there throughout.

"This past year hasn't been easy. We would have been lost without help," Tom says. "It was a blessing to find Henry and Ruth when one of the most significant things was happening in our family. they provided comfort, relief, reassurance and peace of mind. A comprehensive Life Care Plan is a real bargain!"

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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. Copyright © 2009 by Levandowski & Darpino, LLC. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this time for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement.