According to data gathered by the Family Caregiver Alliance, one in three adults over the age of 65 will require nursing home care at some point. This places many spouses and adult children in the often uncomfortable position of choosing a suitable long term care facility for an aging parent – a task that is not always as straightforward as one might hope.
It can be very helpful to work with an experienced elder law attorney when choosing a facility to ensure that you and your parents remain protected against common missteps.
Choosing a Suitable Home
The first concern when placing a parent into long term care is their safety. It is important that you visit several homes before choosing one to ensure you are selecting the best option for your loved one.
When visiting homes, be sure to consider the resident-to-staff ratio, available activities and amenities, and the inclusivity of monthly costs. Take time to talk to residents and staff to gauge their happiness and satisfaction. Be sure also to ask questions about protocol and safety standards to determine if the environment is one that will meet all of your loved one’s needs.
Cost Considerations
Going into a long term care facility can be expensive and there are a number of factors that will need to be taken into account:
- Is a spouse remaining at home?
- Has there been financial planning for long term care?
- Is Medicaid an option?
- What type of legacy would your loved one like to leave?
Each of these considerations can further complicate the decision of where to place a loved one. An experienced elder law attorney will be able to assist you with all of these concerns to help ensure everyone’s best interests are protected.
Additional Planning
In addition to finding the right home, it is important that your loved one has all of his or her affairs in order before entering a long term care facility. This includes things like estate planning and the creation of wills and trusts, establishing financial and medical powers of attorney, and making sure that end-of-life considerations have been thoroughly planned. As with choosing a suitable environment for your loved one, this is something with which a qualified elder law attorney will able to assist.
The attorneys at LSTT have the experience and dedication necessary to help families plan for long term care and all of the unforeseen complications that can accompany the decision. Working individually with your family, we can assist with planning and executing long term care plans while protecting assets and honoring the needs and expectations of all involved. If you have found yourself in a situation where planning for a loved one’s long term care is an inevitability, call us at (719) 689-8767 to schedule a complimentary case evaluation today.
Located in Colorado Springs and Denver, LSTT welcomes clients from Colorado Springs, Denver, Castle Rock, Pueblo, and all nearby areas of Colorado.
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