Just as making the decision to place a loved one in an assisted living facility can be difficult, ceding even more power over your elderly family member’s life to an attorney can be scary. However, when you learn about the potential ways an elder law attorney can help you and your family, the option becomes much more attractive. Today, we will discuss how an elder law attorney can help you navigate the intricacies that come with taking care of the senior citizen in your life.
What is an Elder Law Attorney?
Elder lawyers are generally experts on legal issues that often arise when someone ages and can not make decisions for themselves. They can advise families on the best ways to protect their loved ones, deal with finances, provide long-term care, and plan for the future.
Specifically, elder law attorneys can help in the following areas:
- Conservatorships: Many older adults, especially if they suffer from cognitive or memory issues, are unable to make decisions for themselves. Conservators, often children of the conservatee, help care for someone as they grow old. Elder law attorneys know the process inside and out and can assist you with petitioning courts, drafting documents, and fulfilling duties relating to the conservatorship.
- Estate Planning and Finances: Elder law attorneys have expertise in drafting documents like wills that describe how assets of someone’s estate will be divided should they pass away or become part of a conservatorship. Powers of Attorney explain the type of medical care someone wishes to undergo should they become incapacitated and the financial methods that can be used to give them that level of medical care. Someone like a conservator can make these decisions and draft these documents, but you should talk to your older family member about preparing them before they are needed. This lets them make their own decision around finances and end-of-life care.
- Long-Term Housing and Care: Many older adults change their living situation when they cannot care for themselves and family members cannot provide full-time personalized care at home. Additionally, aging at home can be dangerous if someone with conditions like Alzheimer’s does not have constant supervision or a restriction on their movement. Attorneys can help you decide on the type of long-term housing and care your family member needs and find the assets that will provide them with the financial opportunity to move into an assisted living community.
- Elder Abuse: Elder abuse is unfortunately common in many areas of life, whether in the medical system, from caregivers, or by scams that commonly target older Americans. Elder attorneys can help protect the rights of your loved one, find evidence of any abuse, and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Attorneys with experience representing elder abuse victims might have a keen eye for abuse that lets them identify potential issues before you even know they are occurring.
Moving Into An Assisted Living Facility
If you are considering moving into our assisted living and memory care facility, we welcome any questions and concerns that an elder law attorney might bring up. If you feel uneasy about the contract or are worried about the potential abuse of your loved one, we would love to put your mind at ease. We have many former and current clients that love the personalized care we provide for every one of our residents.
Contact A Banyan Residence today to schedule a tour and get a first-hand look at our facility.
