Creaky knees, forgetfulness, a loss of independence – all side effects of aging that eventually catch up with the best of us. Watching a loved one grow older and require more care can be hard, especially when the burden of that care falls on you. Decisions to be made about finances, care facilities, and insurance all require careful thought and consideration.
Simply figuring out where to start is one of the most intimidating steps, but you've come to the right place. Caring for an aging relative requires a plan of action and you may have a great deal of questions. Use the information below as a resource to take with you on your journey of elderly care.
Assessing Your Loved One's Circumstances
Before you can properly care for your senior relative, you will need to determine what kind of care they need. Are they showing signs of dementia? Do they have serious physical impairments? Will living alone be a problem? Asking the right questions of their doctors will tell you a lot about what the future may hold.
If your loved one currently lives on their own and needs to be moved to a care facility, there is much to be decided on. Will they require a live-in aid? How active are they on a daily basis? Some facilities are better suited to highly active senior citizens and offer driving services and regular social functions. Others are more conducive to seniors who need a concentrated level of care.
Healthcare and insurance is always a big factor when making your decisions. How much coverage does your loved one have? Will this last for the foreseeable future? What happens if their coverage runs out? An experienced attorney can help address these questions and develop a plan suited to your loved one's needs.
While no one enjoys thinking about it, arranging for end of life plans is both necessary and beneficial. Does your loved one have a will? Have they prepared burial arrangements? The sooner you can get these issues out of the way, the more easily you can enjoy the time you have with your relative.
As you embark on this journey of caring for your loved one, don't hesitate to reach out to our firm. The counsel of a Nassau County elder attorney can ease the burden of decision-making significantly.