A legal will addresses the question "What do I want my loved ones to have?" At the Margolis & Associates' January First-Monday Lunch, Susan Turnbull, author and principal of Personal Legacy Advisors, LLC, emphasized the importance of also addressing the question "What do I want my loved ones to know about me and my values?" Personal Legacy Advisors provides guidance and writing support to those who wish to transmit more than just their financial assets. An "ethical will," whether a document, letter, recording, or other means of expression, is a personalized way to pass your personal legacy, including your story, your values, and life's lessons to those you love.

At the lunch, Turnbull shared touching excerpts from ethical wills prepared by her team of professional writers and coaches as well as some historical Jewish ethical wills from the middles ages. To close she presented her guidebook, The Wealth of Your Life: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating Your Ethical Will, that provides everything you need to create your own personal legacy document. For more information see www.yourethicalwill.com.

Georgetown University's Long-Term Care Financing Project 2007 found that 10,000,000 Americans need costly long-term care. The study shows that Americans average $70,900 a year for a nursing home room, $25 a day for a home health aide, and $33,000 per year for a private room in an assisted living. See the January 2007 Fact Sheet for the national percentage of spending for long-term care by Medicaid, Medicare, privately out-of-pocket, and from other private and public sources.

Beacon Hill Village helps residents in the Beacon Hill area age 50 and older to obtain services of a retirement community while remaining in their own homes. This "virtual retirement community" is designed to make remaining at home a safe, comfortable, and cost-effective alternative than most conventional retirement communities. The program provides social, cultural and exercise activities, home and household maintenance services, meal plans, medical care and assisted living services to elder members ultimately allowing them to enjoy safer, healthier, and more independent lives with a strong foundation of support in their familiar neighborhoods and communities.

On January 25th, NAIFA Massachusetts is hosting the Long-Term Care Forum at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. Numerous speakers will discuss the long-term care industry and long-term care insurance options. Harry S. Margolis will address "Medicaid Planning After the DRA." A special presentation by a clinical neurologist, Dr. Paul Nussbaum, will explore brain health across the lifespan. The seminar will be held at the Hogan Center, from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Prior to the training, from 7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., continental breakfast will be served. To register see www.naifamass.org or contact NAIFAMass@mindspring.com.