When you care for a senior loved one, you could face planning challenges. These include finances, health care, long-term care, and housing. That is why you need legal help when creating a care plan for your aging loved one. An elderly law attorney can help you find care resources, determine your loved one’s eligibility, and navigate applications. Also, they can help you establish financial protections and help your family choose somebody to make legal decisions for your aging loved one when they become incapacitated.
An attorney can help you explore options for the current situation of your senior loved one. Also, they can explain how your family must plan for what lies ahead, particularly if your loved one suffers from a chronic illness and requires long-term care. The attorney can you with the following:
Creating a Long-Term Care Plan
A lot of families do not agree on the kind of care their parents should have. An elderly law attorney is not connected to your aging loved one emotionally. Thus, they can provide an unbiased opinion about developing an objective long-term care plan. They can recommend strategies that protect your senior loved one. Also, they concentrate on matters that your family faces. They can go over the type of necessary care and whether your aging loved one stays at home or requires long-term care.
Putting a Durable Power of Attorney in Place
A chronic illness like dementia may impact the ability of your loved one to make care-related decisions. That is why you should seek assistance before their condition progresses. An attorney can prepare a durable power of attorney for you. This legal document lets an appointed individual make financial or medical decisions for your incapacitated loved one.
An attorney can help you start the guardianship process if your loved one gets seriously ill without the document. Usually, guardianship is considered a last resort. But it lets you manage the personal and financial affairs of your senior loved one.
Helping Your Loved One Access Medicaid
The Medicaid eligibility of your loved one is based on their financial assets, their medical treatment costs, and the Medicaid requirements of the state. If your aging loved one is eligible for Medicaid benefits, a lot of the care services they need may be covered. The benefits may even include payment for family caregivers.
An elderly law attorney knows how Medicaid programs work. They can guide your loved one as they navigate eligibility and application. Also, they can offer advice on when to enroll in the program. More importantly, they can advise on how to handle assets and finances as your loved one navigates the Medicaid Look-Back Period.
