Understanding Memory Care Planning in Lewis Center
Facing a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis for a loved one can be a profoundly emotional and daunting experience. The noticeable shifts in their behavior, abilities, or care requirements can be unsettling for everyone involved. It’s essential to plan and prepare for the upcoming changes and challenges.
We recognize you and your loved one may be unsure of your next steps, and you are likely experiencing some anxiety as you seek to envision the future and its accompanying implications and challenges. That is why we have leveraged our decades of experience in elder law to guide families through these issues to develop a comprehensive Memory Care Planning program that addresses the needs and goals of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s and those who love them.
When Should I Reach Out to a Memory Care Planning Attorney?
It’s advisable to consult with a memory care planning attorney promptly following a diagnosis to address your legal, financial, and healthcare needs. This step is essential to safeguard your assets and arrange for the necessary care in the future.
Early access to a memory care planning attorney also allows the affected family member to play an active role in the decision-making process to the greatest extent possible. At Jarvis Law Office, we help you navigate memory care planning in Lewis Center, ensuring you or your loved one experiences appropriate care, support, and dignity throughout their journey.
Memory Care Planning Services
- Asset Protection
- Business Succession Planning
- Care Navigation
- Charitable Planning
- Estate Planning
- Estate Tax Planning
- Medicaid Planning
- Powers of Attorney
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Administration
- Trusts and Wills
- Veterans Benefits
Financial Power of Attorney
A memory care planning lawyer will often suggest establishing a financial power of attorney for managing your finances and property. This legal document allows you to appoint an agent who can oversee your financial affairs if you or your loved one becomes unable to do so independently. As we age, some of us might require additional support, and this agent can either take full charge or work alongside you to handle all legal and financial matters effectively.
With this document in place, your family won’t have to petition the court for guardianship or conservatorship. In addition, you would then not have to worry about someone you don’t trust stepping in to make the decisions. Instead, you will hand-select the person, which promotes a more seamless process and allows you to let them know what your wishes are for the future. Your attorney will discuss this document with you and the importance of naming one or two successor agents in case your first choice isn’t available.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Your Lewis Center memory care planning attorney can assist you in creating a healthcare power of attorney. This document allows you to appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf, such as approving or declining treatments. It is wise to select one or two backup individuals to serve as your healthcare proxy if your primary choice is unavailable.
Many residents of Lewis Center include a HIPAA release with the durable power of attorney document. This release authorizes your healthcare agents and anyone else you might want to receive medical information about you. If you don’t have this form, your agent and other family members won’t be able to see the complete picture. Your attorney will discuss these documents with you and assist you in choosing individuals best suited for the role of your healthcare agent.
Creating a Living Will
A living will enables you to specify the medical treatments you wish to receive as you approach the end of life. This document lets you decide whether doctors can administer life-sustaining treatments and, if so, which types you consent to. By having a living will, you maintain control over your medical choices even when you cannot express them verbally. It also relieves your loved ones from the responsibility of making difficult treatment decisions, as they won’t need to worry about these choices once the document is established.
Updating Your Estate Plan
As part of memory care planning, updating your estate plan is crucial. Your attorney can assess your existing plan to determine if changes are necessary. Ensuring your estate plan is complete before dementia advances is vital. Once you are deemed legally incapacitated, you won’t be able to alter or nullify any documents. It is wise to take action today with the guidance of a Lewis Center elder law attorney to maintain appropriate control over your assets and to provide direction to your decision-makers in the future.
Three Keys to Memory Care Planning
- Focus on a loved one’s good health, safety, and well-being.
- Make dependable decisions regarding a family’s long-term care needs while keeping their goals in mind.
- Offer viable financial solutions in paying for long-term care costs.
Regardless of their situation, memory care and care navigation planning offer families in Lewis Center the resources to manage their long-term care options and expenses. From reviewing existing insurance policies to exploring Medicaid eligibility options or filing veterans benefits claims, Jarvis Law Office has the necessary knowledge and experience to help clients identify financial solutions that are right for them. Schedule an appointment with one of our elder law attorneys experienced with dementia, Alzheimer’s, stroke, Parkinson’s, and more at our firm today.
Developing a Memory Care & Care Navigation Plan
Creating a thorough Memory Care or Care Navigation Plan is essential to safeguarding what is most important. This process involves pinpointing the key areas in your loved one’s life that demand meticulous attention and care. These may include:
Preferred living arrangements: Determining the right location for your loved one, whether aging in place, transitioning to an assisted living facility, nursing home, or moving into a specialized memory care community. Jarvis Law Office offers access to a Care Navigator who liaises between the family and the care centers.
Healthcare providers: Jarvis Law Office team members will help identify preferred care providers to meet your loved one’s needs and develop a client-focused care plan to maximize the quality of life for your loved one. Your care navigator will also advocate on your loved one’s behalf and coordinate communication among the care professionals involved in that care.
Legal documentation: Develop essential legal tools like advance directives, durable powers of attorney, trusts, and guardian and conservator appointments to ensure your loved one’s medical, financial, and personal decisions are always in the right hands.
Transitioning From Home Or Assisted Living To Memory Care
Moving a loved one from their current home or an assisted living facility to a memory care setting can be a difficult process. At Jarvis Law Office, we provide the support of a dedicated care navigator who offers guidance, resources, and advocacy to help manage crucial aspects of memory care planning. Here are some helpful tips:
- Research memory care communities and facilities to identify those that meet your loved one’s needs and preferences.
- Visit potential communities, arrange a tour, meet with staff, and observe daily routines.
- Discuss the transition with your loved one or close support system, including the benefits and the importance of specialized care.
- Create a plan for the physical move, paying attention to details that can create a comfortable and familiar environment.
At Jarvis Law Office, our elder care attorneys and care navigators can diligently guide you and your loved one through these anticipated transitions to address your needs and concerns while helping you to prepare for the steps ahead.
Memory Care Planning — Protecting Families In Lewis Center
Memory care planning is crucial in protecting the health, well-being, and legacy of seniors, especially those dealing with cognitive challenges such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, memory loss, or the consequences of stroke or other neurological conditions.
Understanding that no two individuals or families are the same, we take a personalized approach to memory care planning to fulfill your loved one’s specific needs while maintaining their quality of life. Our compassionate professionals work closely with Lewis Center families to develop a custom plan that addresses various aspects of a senior’s life—from legal and financial matters to healthcare decisions and choosing the right care center.
Jarvis Law Office understands the emotional and practical challenges faced by families with seniors grappling with memory problems. We offer unmatched support while navigating the often-complex world of memory care planning, giving families the confidence and peace of mind that their loved ones’ interests are being looked after.
With a singular focus on protecting seniors’ health, well-being, and legacy, Jarvis Law Office is the go-to service provider for any family seeking the experience and support needed to handle the unique challenges of memory care planning. Fill out our online form or call us at (740) 640-6617 to schedule an appointment.
