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6 Ways an Elder Law Attorney Can Help You Plan for Long-Term Care

Millions of baby boomers are living healthy, longer lives. Studies show that nearly one in seven adults over the age of 65 will need long-term care at some point in their later years. To ensure you have a plan in place for your care and to navigate the complex long-term care system with ease, begin your talk now with an experienced elder law attorney who can provide you with the necessary resources.

The sooner you build a complete long-term care plan, the better your chance of receiving quality care while still protecting your assets.  Elder law attorneys have the knowledge to address legal issues related to elder care, such as long-term care planning, retirement planning, estate planning, understanding government benefits, caregiving, and health matters.

An elder law attorney provides understanding and guidance to pay for long-term care costs and advises on issues and concerns to help you make more informed decisions.

Here are 6 ways an elder law attorney can help you or an aging loved one plan for long-term care:

  1. Asset Protection: Long-term care is expensive. For most families, the average cost of long-term care can be extreme. According to seniorliving.org, the average price of a semi-private room in a nursing home in 2024 totaled nearly $11,000 a month in Pennsylvania! An elder law attorney can help you create trusts or transfer assets so that you can qualify for government assistance such as Medicaid. If you enter a nursing home, an elder law attorney can help you develop a plan to maintain your wealth.
  2. Comprehending Medicaid: Working with an elder law attorney to apply for Medicaid can be highly beneficial. They are familiar with the strict Medicaid guidelines and the complex application process. They will ensure it gets done correctly and on time.
  3. Preparing an Estate Plan: Every adult should have an estate plan, but it’s particularly important for older adults to plan ahead for essential health care decisions. It’s important to have a Will and trust, but it is also vital that your estate plan includes both advance health care directives and a durable power of attorney (POA). Creating these with your elder law attorney allows you to choose someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you should become incapacitated.
  4. Locate Veterans Benefits: An experienced elder law attorney can be crucial if you or your loved one is a military veteran. They can assist you with locating available programs and benefits, which might include aid.
  5. Securing Guardianship: An elder law attorney can help initiate guardianship proceedings when an individual can no longer make decisions for themselves. It appoints someone to make financial, medical, and personal decisions for the individual who has lost ability.
  6. Review Nursing Home Contracts and Disputes: If you are considering entering an assisted living facility, an elder law attorney can review your contracts and explain your rights and obligations and any other potential concerns.

The sooner you develop a long-term strategy, the better the chance of receiving quality care while protecting your assets. The key is getting a head start and working with an experienced attorney to have a comprehensive plan in place before long-term care is needed.

Contact Conti Law today to discuss a long-term care strategy personalized for your unique situation. Proper planning will improve your chance of receiving quality care while protecting your assets. If you would like to talk to us about your long-term care planning, contact us at 724-784-0239.