Many seniors and their families begin evaluating their long-term care needs, after a crisis occurs. This is usually because the senior, and his or her family finally, realize that there are additional care needs that must be met. By discussing long-term care ahead of time, you can have a better and, likely, less expensive plan in place for your loved one. Take a look at the following information, to better understand the importance of long-term care planning.
We acknowledge, discussing long-term care can be hard:
Many people don’t like to discuss topics related to incapacity, declining health, money, and nursing homes. Such discussions often bring stress and upset; so, long-term care is one of the topics that many people avoid. It can also be easy to avoid because of denial.
It’s important to sit down with your loved one and communicate about long-term care needs ahead of time. This can allow everyone to have a better understanding of the options, as well as costs that may be relevant in the future.
When discussing long-term care, consider the following:
- How would we pay for long-term care? Should we invest in long-term care insurance? Do we have money saved up that can be used for this need?
- How will we decide on the best facility? Does Grandma have her own views and opinions on certain long-term care options?
- How will everyone be a part of Grandma’s care? Will the facility need to be close by? Are we able to visit often?
- Will all of Grandma’s future medical needs be met? Will the facility be able to adapt to changes in care needs?
Where to get more help and guidance
Don’t wait for a crisis to occur before discussing long-term care options. You will benefit from making a decision with less stress and upset. If you have any questions about choosing a long-term care facility, or planning for future costs, consult with a qualified estate planning attorney.
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