Your estate plan should focus on more than just the distribution of your assets after you are gone. Which additional goals you include in your plan will depend on your unique needs and wishes. One component you may want to consider including in your estate plan, however, is nursing home planning. The staff at the Northern California Center for Estate Planning & Elder Law discuss why nursing home planning is important. Will You Need Nursing Home Care? The average life expectancy in the … [Read more...] about Why Is Nursing Home Planning Important?
Long Term Care Planning
Caring For a Distant Elder Family Member
In today’s society, family members are often scattered throughout the country and even abroad. This phenomenon can cause much stress and worry when an elder family member who is not nearby now needs additional assistance in managing his or her affairs. The first step to long-distance caregiving is to understand your loved one's situation and needs. Schedule a visit with your relative or friend spanning several days to observe how they make decisions, solve problems and complete daily tasks, … [Read more...] about Caring For a Distant Elder Family Member
Qualifying for Medi-Cal
If you are concerned about the future of an elderly loved one, you are not alone. As we watch our elderly loved ones age, we can’t help but be concerned about the care they will need and how to finance it. Health care in America is among the most costly in the world, with costs continuing to rise. As a result, the average American is unable to pay for a lengthy stay in a long-term care facility or for the costs of a serious, long-term illness. While we all hope that our elderly loved ones are … [Read more...] about Qualifying for Medi-Cal
Deciding if Some You Love Needs a Care Facility
It can be heart wrenching to decide if a family member or friend you love can no longer safely live in their own home. It can be scary for that loved one to think about his or her care needs and possible new living environments. If you have concerns about a loved one , consider the following questions when determining care needs. If you need help, consult with an experienced and qualified estate and elder care attorney. Does your loved one have medical needs that require special … [Read more...] about Deciding if Some You Love Needs a Care Facility
What is a POLST and Do I Need One?
In every estate plan we prepare in our office, we include an Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) and a form that authorizes disclosure of medical information to designated individuals you have appointed to positions in your estate plan. This latter form is done to comply with the so-called HIPAA law. An advance health care directive is a legal document you use to provide guidance about what types of treatments you may want to receive in case of a future, unknown medical emergency. It also … [Read more...] about What is a POLST and Do I Need One?
Choosing a Nursing Home
Do you or a loved one need nursing home care? If so, you will likely want to make sure that your loved one becomes a resident in a home that fits his or her many needs. There are many features to take into consideration when choosing the best nursing home. Take a look at the following guide to help make the best choice. Choose a nursing home that isn’t too far away. You may want to be able to visit your loved one often. Choosing a nursing home that is relatively close to your home … [Read more...] about Choosing a Nursing Home
Ways to Pay for Long Term Care
Paying for long term care is a scary thing for most families. In California, the annual costs of a semi-private room (one roommate) is over $100,000 and a private room is even more. Double these numbers if spouses or partners need care at the same time and there are additional expenses as well. How to Pay for Long Term Care Private Pay Long Term Care Insurance Veterans Benefits Medicare Medi-Cal Private Pay Some folks can self insure because they can afford to private … [Read more...] about Ways to Pay for Long Term Care
There are Many Ways to Qualify for Medi-Cal to Pay for Long Term Care
Qualified and experienced elder law attorneys help those, who need long term care, qualify to have the care paid by Medi-Cal benefits. For both Medi-Cal, you need to financially (and medically) qualify. Here are 12 ways in which elder law attorneys help people qualify for financial assistance, if they are not immediately eligible. Consult with a qualified and experienced elder law attorney whose practice includes Medi-Cal long term care benefits to determine which strategies are best for … [Read more...] about There are Many Ways to Qualify for Medi-Cal to Pay for Long Term Care
What is your greatest fear?
According to the study Aging in Place in America, more people over the age of 65 are afraid of moving into a nursing home than are afraid of death. One of the problems with our fears is that so many of us choose to ignore them. Ignoring the possible need for nursing home care means that you miss out on the valuable chance to plan ahead. Not only does planning ahead let you shape what your nursing home experience might look like, it also allows you to think carefully about how you’ll pay for … [Read more...] about What is your greatest fear?
Should I Pay a Lawyer for Medi-Cal Planning?
Elder law attorneys vary in what they charge for Medi-Cal planning; a common fee is equivalent to the average cost of one month in a nursing home. However, it will typically vary depending on the complexity of the needed planning. Why should you pay thousands of dollars for Medi-Cal planning? The answer is simple: To save what you have. If you don’t bother with nursing home planning and you need care, you will continue to pay with your private funds until they run out. Once you’re broke, … [Read more...] about Should I Pay a Lawyer for Medi-Cal Planning?
