Sometimes, despite our best efforts, family caregivers are not enough. Family caregivers, often tirelessly, dedicate themselves to taking care of elderly relatives. An elderly loved one, however, may develop care needs that exceed the abilities of a family caregiver. When this time comes, and hopefully before this time arrives, considering the next step should be carefully evaluated.
In order to determine whether a nursing home or other type of long-term care facility would be best for an elderly family member, especially when family caregivers are not enough, you should consider the needs of the individual. Do they require specialized medical attention? If so, begin looking for facilities that can accommodate the specific needs of your elderly loved one. You should also consider looking for facilities that are close by to family and friends to allow for ample visitors which can prove invaluable to the transition process and beyond.
When considering long-term care facilities for your loved one, when you learn that family caregivers are not enough, you should also evaluate costs. Long-term care continues to increase in costs. Few people are likely to be able to afford long-term care on savings alone. If a person is able to do so, it is likely that these savings will be quickly depleted. This is why talking to an experienced elder law attorney about long-term care options may be necessary.
A knowledgeable elder law attorney will be able to counsel you on things such as covering the costs of long-term care. Medicaid planning may be an option to explore and discuss with your attorney. Medicaid planning protects assets from depletion for purposes of paying the costs of long-term care while helping an individual qualify for these often critical government benefits.
To find out more about long-term care options and how to cover costs, our office is here to help. Long-term care planning can be a complex and delicate process. We can answer your questions and advise you on your options. Please reach out to us to schedule an appointment.