If you care for an elderly parent, spouse, or loved one, you know their challenges: health care, housing, finances, and long-term care. Family caretakers, usually close family members supporting an elderly or ill senior, often feel overwhelmed by making their loved one’s final years as peaceful and enjoyable as possible.
Caregiving quality becomes more critical as a senior loved one ages. Sooner or later, preparations for the future will be required to guarantee that their present and future wants and requirements will be met. Thanks to their expertise, lawyers specializing in elder law can help make caregiving much easier.
In What Ways Can Elder Law Aid Family Caregivers?
Here are the many ways elder law and a knowledgeable lawyer can aid those caring for aging relatives:
1. Long-Term Care Planning
Many families have conflicting views on the best way to care for a loved one. An attorney specializing in elder law can provide an objective opinion regarding creating a long-term strategy because strong emotions do not influence them.
An elder law attorney evaluates the situation to determine whether the client can receive treatment at home or would be better served by long-term nursing home placement. Then, they investigate options for safeguarding assets in anticipation of the possibility of long-term care. You can visit websites like elderlawcare.com/ to learn more about it.
2. Applying for Medicaid or Veterans Benefits
Medical expenses and other assets are considered when determining Medicaid eligibility, but the specifics differ by state. A good elder law attorney can advise you on whether or not applying for Medicaid is the best choice for your future, including how it might impact your financial choices.
The aid and attendance benefit is intended to aid veterans with high long-term care costs, but many veterans are unaware they are eligible. You can seek advice from an attorney specializing in elder law regarding this and other government programs and resources from which your loved one may profit. Proper planning can ensure unexpected and unplanned medical expenses. Websites like elderlawcare.com/practice-areas/medicaid/ can guide you through your Medicaid needs and queries.
3. Creating a Living Trust
It’s natural for your loved one to want their belongings, including their inheritance, to go to family members or essential organizations. Without estate planning, your loved one’s assets may go through probate.
However, they can keep control of their assets with a living trust. A specialist in elder law can help you navigate the complex legal requirements of setting up a living trust. You can read blog posts and articles online about estate and special needs planning by visiting websites like elderlawcare.com/practice-areas/specialneeds/.
4. Placing a Durable Power of Attorney
You may worry about your loved one’s healthcare choices if they have Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. Both of you can consult an attorney specializing in elder law to draft a durable power of attorney. This lets an appointed person make medical or financial choices for your loved one if they become incapable.
Suppose your family member became incapacitated without a durable power of attorney. In that case, an elder law attorney can help start guardianship procedures to allow you or another guardian to manage their personal and financial affairs.
5. Protecting Assets
Family members may benefit from consulting with lawyers specializing in elder law to learn to spot the warning signs of elder financial abuse. When your loved ones slow down or their health declines, a person can take advantage by coming over and “helping out,” or a dishonest adult may try to access financial accounts.
Their assets must be safeguarded from dishonest offenders. An attorney specializing in elder law can alert authorities to fraud or criminal behavior and help the elderly client or their family.
Conclusion
Our senior family members are essential to us. And as a token of our appreciation and thankfulness, we must take good care of them, especially their health and basic needs. We also need to protect the other aspects of their life, like their property and liberty. Elder law is vital in the protection of your loved ones. Thus, the aid you need and give can make a massive difference in elders’ lives.
