It was a sweet treat with a serious message at the Life Enrichment Center at Oyster Bay as center members gathered for an interactive, informative presentation titled “Don’t Let the Cookie Crumble,” co-hosted by CareFirst Home Solutions and Futterman Lanza, LLP where the focus was on elder law and estate planning - and celebrating National Cookie Day.
The July 9 event paired a variety of complimentary cookies with strategies for proactive senior living, using a culinary metaphor to make complex care and legal topics highly approachable.
Judith Rivera, director of client services for CareFirst Home Solutions, kicked off the presentation by discussing the logistics of aging in place. Rivera explained that staying safely and comfortably in one’s own residence is like having a “full cookie.”
To maintain that independence, however, support is often required. Rivera likened these essential supports to the cookie’s sprinkles or frosting—the extra pieces that complete the package. These “sprinkles” include home care placements from a trusted professional, structural home adaptations, and thorough decluttering to prevent falls and ensure a safe living environment.
Representing Futterman Lanza, LLP, Anna Gavrysh, focusing her practice on estate planning and elder law, shifted the focus to the essential legal documents that every senior citizen should secure before a medical or financial emergency arises. Gavrysh detailed the specific rights and responsibilities tied to last wills, trusts, living wills, health care proxies, and powers of attorney.
Continuing the theme, Gavrysh illustrated how crucial pieces of an individual’s “cookie”—such as asset control, healthcare choices, and estate protection—can quickly crumble or fall apart if these legal frameworks are missing during a crisis. Should an unexpected crisis occur, a properly prepared estate and Medicaid plan acts as a supportive “plate”, catching the pieces and protecting the individual’s long-term wishes.
The presentation concluded with an active question-and-answer session, fostering a dialogue among the attendees.
To learn more about the Life Enrichment Center, visit their website at LifeEnrichmentCenterOysterBay.org. For more information on Futterman Lanza or a free consultation, visit the website at TrustedAttorneys.com or contact Futterman Lanza at (631) 420-1212, and for more on CareFirst Home Solutions go to CareFirstHomeSolutions.com.
