What is Life Care Planning?
Traditional elder law practices focus on the legal and, sometimes financial, aspects of planning for elderly and disabled persons. Life Care Planning is a more complete and holistic approach to planning for such loved ones. Life care planning can provide answers, relieve anxiety and ultimately offer peace of mind. Through the process of Life Care Planning, the staff of our firm establish a relationship that assures quality care for the elderly or special needs family member.
Life Care Plannning typically involves interested family members so that they better understand where the loved one is within the continuum of care analysis. Although we encourage the family to be involved in the process, the senior or disabled person is our client and that person’s quality of life and wellbeing is our paramount concern.
What is a Life Care Plan?
Life Care Planning is a process whereby the legal, healthcare, social and psychological needs of a frail elder or special needs person are assessed and a plan is developed to meet those needs in an economical fashion that protects and preserves the income and assets of the person to the greatest extent possible. The elements of a Life Care Plan include the assessment of the care needs of the person, followed by the development of a plan to provide the type of assistance the person will need during various time frames and then determine how to most efficiently pay for that assistance.
A Life Care Plan combines in a single convenient package the elements of protecting and preserving the income and assets of the elder or disabled individual with the assessment and coordination of the care needs for the individual. Our law firm takes a holistic, interdisciplinary team approach in developing these plans – our attorneys, care coordinator and support staff consult with other legal professionals, health care professionals, financial professionals, durable medical equipment providers, insurance company personnel, employees of various government and charitable organizations, professional care providers and family members in order to determine, obtain and pay for the kind of care our clients deserve. A Life Care Plan answers all the tough questions about your loved one’s long-term care, now and in the future. It’s the ultimate protection for elders and their families.
With a Life Care Plan, the client gets the right care sooner, maximum independence for as long as possible, and the ability to age with dignity. Families get help finding the right care and services; guidance with legal, health care and long-term care decisions as the elder’s condition progresses; and security because the other family members provided for. Like a traditional estate plan, a Life Care Plan includes the legal protection needed to safeguard assets, honor your loved one’s wishes and provide for family members.
Who Needs A Life Care Plan?
Anyone with an elderly or special need loved one whose care they are concerned about is a candidate for a Life Care Plan. Whether you have an immediate crisis or you are planning for the future of your loved one, your family could benefit from having a Life Care Plan in place. To schedule an appointment with us, please call our office at (916) 437-3500.
When you schedule your free consultation, you will be sent a package of information questionnaires for you to complete and bring with you to the first meeting. Having this information available for the attorney you will be meeting with will make your free consultation much more productive. These questionnaires requests information about your elder or special needs loved one, his or her health, physical condition and needs, and questions regarding the other members of the family. The questionnaires also requests information about your elder or special needs loved one’s finances.
