Are you looking forward to seeing your aging Florida elders during the holiday season? When you visit each year are you concerned about how each year they seem more fragile and alone? Are you concerned about the future for your senior loved ones? Do you know if they have made plans for their future? Have you taken the time to learn what their plans for the future are? When you see them, should you begin to talk to them about long-term planning?
It is unfortunate, but many families do not want to talk to their aging Florida elders about long-term planning, it just seems too sad. Be aware, though, it is a subject of critical importance. When you discuss long-term care early, before a crisis occurs, your aging Florida elders will be able to share what they want to happen if they become incapacitated or no longer able to live on their own. Most importantly, the whole family will have peace of mind from being able to work with an AFELA Florida elder law attorney in the community of your aging Florida seniors to ensure that the lifetime savings of your loved ones are protected from nursing home bills.
Equipped with the knowledge that you need to have the conversation about long-term care with your aging Florida seniors, how do you begin? Long-term planning can be complicated and it is highly recommended that you meet with an AFELA Florida elder law attorney in your community. The following are key considerations to have when you visit your aging Florida seniors.
- Are your aging Florida seniors still living in their home?
- Are there any mobility issues within their home?
- Is their home equipped for them to age in place?
- If they fall, do they have a life alert or alarm system in place to help them?
- Have there been any changes to their doctors or their medications?
- Are their doctors still covered by their insurance?
- Have they had any new health care concerns over the past year?
- Do they have a good local support system?
- How is their mental health?
- Is your family close and does everyone keep up with them?
- Is their Florida estate plan up to date?
- Do they know whether they are able to live comfortably off their monthly income?
- Do they have long-term care insurance?
- If they had to suddenly go into a nursing home could they afford to pay the nursing home bill out of pocket?
- Have they worked with an experienced Florida elder law attorney to create a plan for long-term care?
We know and agree that long-term planning can be a difficult conversation to have, but it is critical. Often our aging Florida seniors face uncertainty about their future and this planning can help alleviate that. When your aging Florida seniors plan for their long-term care, with the guidance of an AFELA Florida elder law attorney in your community, the entire family can benefit from the peace of mind that comes with that.
We know this article may raise more questions than it answers. 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.