Garrity & Gossage, LLP

Garrity & Gossage, LLP can assist you in providing for your family and managing your assets, during your lifetime as well as after your death. It is their goal to help you construct an estate plan that will provide for the care and well-being of your children, will provide for your care, and will provide for the management and distribution of your assets. They strive to give you peace of mind while at the same time saving you and your heirs time and money. They believe that no matter how large or small your estate is, a well-drafted estate plan can help ensure that your loved ones are taken care of and that your property passes to whom and in the manner you want.

After a thorough assessment of your situation, they will help you plan for your future based upon your wants and needs. They help clients with many different estate planning services, including wills, living wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate, estate administration, and any potential litigation arising out of these areas. If you have questions or concerns regarding your future or the future of your family, they would be glad to discuss this with you further at your convenience. They provide an initial consultation free of charge.

2124 Crown Centre Drive, Suite 100
Charlotte, NC 28227
Phone: 704-841-0661

"My father and I worked with Kim Gossage after my mother was hospitalized in January, 2008.  Through speaking with several agencies to help get mother placed in the proper facility we learned about the law firm and they came very highly recommended as Elder Care Attorneys. 

 

We had a special situation in that my parents are 90 and 89 years old and had been caring for my 53 year old brother who is mentally and developmentally handicapped. When mother became so ill wih Alzheimer's that it required hospitalization, we needed to file for guardianship, have powers of attorney documents filed with the clerk of the court and eventually needed to have a Medicaid application filed for Mother and locate a facility that would take care of my brother for the rest of his life.

 

Kim handled all of this for us except the placement of my brother. I work full time and my father no longer drives. To have Kim available to do all the paper and the leg work necessary was invaluable. I would have used up all of my personal and vacation time doing these things and have nothing left for emergencies if Dad became ill. Kim filed all the Medicaid application papers and met several times with the DSS case worker in order to expedite the process.

 

I would have to say that having an attorney that I knew without a doubt cared about the outcome and helping my father and I meant the world to both of us.

-Susan Hughes

Cheryl Oliver

Cheryl E. Oliver, author and consultant, is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina. She recently published a book titled "Breakfast With Bubby", about her experiences with her parents who suffered from Alzheimer's Disease.

You have written a compelling story about Alzheimer's Disease, what is the one thing you'd like people to take away from your story?
CO- I would like for caregivers to take "coping skills" away from my story.   Since writing is not only a coping skill but also great theraphy, I would suggest that they begin writing a daily journal to release their anxiety and frustrations of the day.  If the caregiver really hates writing, he/she could purchase an inexpensive tape recorder for recording one's story at the end of each day.  Both of these are wonderful stress relievers for caregivers.
 
When you were dealing with the disease first hand, what is the one most shocking thing you learned about Alzheimer's Disease?
CO- The most shocking thing was the realization that my loved ones had already died while still walking around and I had no idea of their passing. With my parents, there were suddenly "new" people in these "old" bodies and I just happened to discover it one day.
 
What advice would you give a fellow caregiver?
 CO-As well as developing coping skills mentioned above, I would strongly recommend that the person develop a spiritual strength and connection to life.  This could be through Prayer, Yoga, Meditation, an Ancestral Ritual--anything that works for the individual.  I am open to any method chosen but I believe that it is critical that one develop a personal faith for endurance.
 
How do you plan on staying involved with the fight against Alzheimer's?
C0- Hopefully, through my participation in Alzheimer's Disease conferences, seminars, and fundraisers, I can make a small difference in the lives of caregivers.  It is  my prayer that the struggle of my family with Alzheimer's Disease heard through my story will be a blessing to others.

Pharmacist Story

Robin Cooke has been a practicing pharmacist for 30 years and over the past 6 years she has been extensively involved with Alzheimer’s patients.  “My own father, who passed away in August suffered from AD for over 10 years.  During his journey, I experienced all the feelings of denial, hope for a cure, trying to find help with placement, financial worries and burden, and trying to find the best medical care possible towards the end of his life,” Cooke recalls.

Cooke continues to work with the families of AD patients, helping them find ways to manage medications, helping them to realize the limitations of these patients, educating them on the medications and what to expect as the disease progresses, and trying to help them through the denial. Her experiences have given her the knowledge to point them in the right direction when they need help and many rely on her for the emotional support needed. “The most rewarding part of my job is working directly with the patients and letting them know that I truly care about them.  Pharmacy is not just standing behind a prescription counter and counting pills, it’s the interaction with the patients and the responsibility you have to give them the best care possible.”