I’m happy to remind folks that the PBA, through its Bar Foundation, is again offering Elder Law Diversity Scholarships for law students interested in the field of elder law as a profession and who can represent the diverse backgrounds of
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Chapter 11 Reorganization of CCRCs in Pennsylvania leads to Confirmed Sale and New Owner’s Assumption of Obligations to Residents under Preexisting Agreements
SpiriTrust Lutheran filed for reorganization of all operations on November 21, 2025, including six Continuing Care Retirement Communities in south-central Pennsylvania. Four of the SpiriTrust Lutheran CCRCs are in York County, one is in Adams County and one is in
McKnight’s Senior Living Writer/Editor Poses the Hot Question: “Can We Trust the Promises Being Made by Senior Living Operators?”
This semester, retired New York Judge Karen Miller, who served as part of the team of stakeholders who spoke to my fall seminar on Health Law, Policy and Ethics at Penn State Dickinson Law, sent me another great article for
“Examining the Use of Medical Marijuana for Alzheimer’s Patients” by Alaina Kuzmitsky
This post explores the current laws on medical marijuana and reviews benefits and drawback for management of symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. While there is currently no evidence to show cannabis can stop, reverse, or prevent dementia, the drug may
Penn State Dickinson Student Post: “Don’t Wait — Plan for Incapacity!” by Ansel C. Childers
My Aunt Hannah remained active into her forties, but slight muscle fatigue eventually turned into worrisome pain. Within months, she needed a cane, then a walker, and soon could not stand. Her illness, ALS, progressed quickly and after just a
Why Home Caregivers Cannot Survive on $1,800 a Month: An Account Drawn from A Penn State Dickinson Law Student’s Family Connections in Georgia, by Neville Shakespeare
A typical day for one of my family members, whom I will call Frederick, kicks off before the Georgia sun even thinks about rising. He gently helps his 80-year old dad out of bed, a bittersweet moment as he remembers
At Penn State Dickinson Law: Fall 2025 Blog Posts from Seminar Students in “Health Law, Policy and Ethics in an Aging World”
Earlier this semester, I published a Blog Post written by a student as part of my fall Seminar course assignments. Ezeck Warren, a 2L student at Penn State Dickinson Law, wrote an important update on “Community-Based Paths for Aging in
Should “Automatic” Liens Be Created to Help Protect CCRC Residents’ Financial Interests?
I spend an inordinate amount of time reading and rereading both Contracts and State Laws governing rights and responsibilities in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs, including Life Plan Communities). So it is a good thing I find all of this
Positive Trends: Consumer Advocacy “by” Consumers of Senior Living
During the last several months, I have traveled frequently to participate in law and aging conferences and to speak on deep concerns about consumer rights in senior living, including concerns of residents of Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), also sometimes
A Link to Brighten Your Day, Even if Some of the Shine is Because of a Tear or Two in Your Eye
During the summer of 2025, I travelled with friends on several horse back riding adventures, with time at a “Dude Ranch” in southern Virginia and, far more challenging, on the trail around the Ring of Kerry in Ireland. But this