Reviewed by Jason Neufeld, Esq.
Do you have a loved one who recently found out that he or she has Parkinson’s disease and are you caring for your loved one? You are probably learning that Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder stemming from the gradual destruction of nerve cells in the particular part of the brain that impacts motor skills and coordinating muscle movement. Parkinson’s disease can progress in individuals in different ways, and there is no way to know how severe and how quickly the disease will cause debilitation. Caring for your loved one, especially as the disease advances, can be an emotional, physical, and financially draining time.
In determining the best way to care for loved ones with Parkinson’s, many Parkinson’s patients may wish to remain at home as long as possible. However, the crippling effect of the disease and the need for more full-time care may make staying at home an unrealistic or unworkable option. Although it may seem that nursing homes are prohibitively expensive, there may be additional ways to plan so that you and your loved one do not go bankrupt paying for nursing home care. Medicare and Medicaid may provide options for coverage, as well as, Social Security Disability benefits and Veterans Affairs benefits.
At this time, when you are faced with the decision of whether to move your loved one with Parkinson’s into nursing home care, it may be important to reach out to an experienced and qualified Florida elder law attorney. Your attorney can assist you and your loved one in planning how to obtain the most coverage for the care your loved one needs. Even if the thought of a nursing home seems far down the road because your loved one has just received a diagnosis, a Florida elder law attorney can assist you in understanding all of your options and putting the most effective plan into place.
The Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys (AFELA) is the pre-eminent organization of Florida elder law attorneys providing advocacy, education and action on behalf of seniors and people with disabilities. We encourage you to contact one of our attorneys in your area using our Find a Lawyer website for assistance.