Long-Term Care
Long-term care is an area of elder law that typically applies to older adults. As people approach old age, they may seek advice in planning ongoing care, while other adults find themselves as reluctant caregivers responsible for the long-term care of a parent or other loved one. With the help of elder law attorneys at BBA Law in Shelby Township, MI, clients get answers to long-term care questions and ensure that all legalities are covered under any circumstances of elder law.
Long-Term Care and Elder Law
Elder law is focused on the legal issues affecting elderly adults and seniors. The legal matters that affect older adults – and the people who care for them – are unique to this demographic. It is important to work with legal professionals well-versed in the intricacies of elder law.
Many adults include long-term care in their retirement planning, anticipating that eventually their health or mobility will be impacted by aging or pre-existing conditions and they will need ongoing support. There are also adults who reach the point where long-term care insurance is no longer an option and they must take advantage of other solutions to address their needs.
From personal care to food to medical supplies to housing, long-term care is about tending to a person’s entire life at an advanced age. An elder care attorney can help:
- Protect assets for later long-term care and housing.
- Establish advanced healthcare directives and estate planning documentation.
- Identify and legally appoint a guardian.
- Advocate for a loved one in elder care abuse disputes.
Managing Anticipated or Unplanned Long-Term Care
If you love someone who cannot take care of themselves completely and requires ongoing daily assistance, long-term care is what the future looks like – but what shape that long-term care takes will vary.
Adults who find themselves in the position of caring for an elderly loved one who cannot live independently need a back-up plan so their own life is not completely taken over by caregiving. Working with an elder care lawyer to discuss long-term care can assist with several critical matters, including:
- Housing: Securing an appropriate, safe, comfortable living situation is critical. This could be the family home, a downsized living space, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. What’s essential is determining whether the resources are available to make the preferred option work.
- Benefits: Long-term care insurance is one of the most common ways to tend to later-in-life needs, however some caretakers find themselves having to make a financial decision for a loved one who doesn’t have long-term care insurance. This might include financing care out of pocket, withdrawing from savings, purchasing a short-term care policy, or making the most of long-term services from Medicare or Medicaid.
- Preferences: An elder with compromised mobility may not be able to get around very well, but they can still be of sound mind. Seniors in this position will have plenty to say about their preferences and maintain the right to make their own decisions about where and how they live. This can make long-term care difficult for both seniors and their caregivers, but having preferences established before this point is reached can help all involved.
Hire Long-Term Care Experts at BBA Law in Shelby Township
The elder law attorneys at BBA Law are experienced in handling long-term care matters. Our team has the knowledge and tact to manage each case with sensitivity. Adults are growing older and living longer thanks to better medical care, nutrition, and an overall focus on health. With longevity, though, comes an inevitable need for more care for a longer time. Schedule a consultation to discuss your circumstances and get the legal support you need before becoming overwhelmed by life’s changes.
