End of Life Planning

Are your parents no longer safe at home no matter how much money and time you are spending on in-home care? Do you know that you must take Mom’s keys away from her, but don’t know how to begin? Do your loved ones insist that they will stay in their homes no matter what?

Our rule of thumb is that you are at least three years behind in assessing accurately the capacity of your elders. You wear rose-colored glasses as you sit around the holiday table. Mom is forgetful? Well, gosh, didn’t you forget where you put your keys just this morning?

Do not feel alone in your frustration, concern, and fright. It is devastating to watch someone you love decline. Do you bring health care to their home? Who will pay for it? Who will manage it? Would a continuing care retirement community be a good solution? Can your parents live independently, or must they go straight into assisted-living? What if one of your parents needs skilled nursing and the other one does not? Do you separate them now, after all of these years? How do you clean out your parents’ house? Where does 30 years of “stuff” go when your parents downsize?

We help you help yourself, or those near and dear to you, with issues that are unique to the end of life. We may draft certain documents, help you find professional home health care services, lead you to appropriate care facilities, or assist you in various and sundry ways. Remember, we grew up here. Our own parents are meeting their elder issues here. No matter what stage of life our clients are in, the professionals at Your Caring Law Firm are here to assist in the planning.

Medicaid Planning

Your Caring Law Firm will refer our clients to others in our community who specialize in Medicaid planning.

Medicaid is the only government program that pays for nursing home care. Medicaid is different than Medicare. Medicare is health insurance that you are entitled to at age 65; Medicare has very limited, short-term benefits to pay for institutional skilled care. Medicaid is a welfare-based government benefit that pays for skilled nursing care. You must meet Federal and State guidelines as to wealth (or, more accurately, the lack of it) to qualify for Medicaid. Certain assets count and certain assets do not count as part of your wealth. There also is an income test.

Do not wait for a crisis to discuss Medicaid planning. The rules for Medicaid are quite harsh. There is a five-year look-back to see if you have given away your assets; there is a five-year going-forward penalty period if you have. Learn your options so that you may make thoughtful choices.