Elder law attorneys help clients address the eventualities of aging from a legal and financial perspective. At the same time, we got into this area of the law because we care about people first and foremost, so we take the human element to heart.
When your parents are going through their golden years, you may start to provide more and more assistance to them. The majority of elders need living assistance of some kind, and many senior citizens ultimately reside in assisted living communities or nursing homes.
Aging in Place
There are those that may prefer to move into a community for elders, but a lot of folks would prefer to stay at home if it is at all possible. Elder care advocates and residential design experts have addressed the challenge, and they have developed the “aging in place” concept.
The idea is to acknowledge that living assistance will be needed on an ongoing basis, and the level of need is likely to increase over time. Modifications can be made to the existing living space to accommodate the specific needs of a given senior, and they can be adjusted as necessary.
In addition to the physical surroundings, there is the caregiving part of the equation. A family should identify the need that exists and discuss collaborative efforts to provide the necessary assistance.
Financial Considerations
Family members and friends will usually be able to provide hands-on help up to a point. This being stated, professional in-home care can be the only option in some cases.
These services are quite expensive, and of course, there are the remodeling costs and ongoing living expenses. “Money is no object” may be the knee-jerk reaction, but for some people, this is unrealistic. Open communication is key, because people usually have limitations.
Fortunately, government assistance is available to fill the financial void. Medicare does not pay for in-home care or residential custodial care, so this is not an option. However, Medi-Cal does cover assisted living, but as we all know, it is a need-based program.
An applicant cannot qualify if they have more than $2000 in countable assets, but a home is exempt, along with personal and household belongings. We will not share all the details here, but you can refer to this post if you are interested.
In addition to the full-blown Medi-Cal coverage that will pay for a stay in a nursing home, there is a Medi-Cal Assisted-Living Waiver program. This waiver will pay for in-home care if you can gain eligibility, and it carries this name because some of the requirements are less stringent.
We have a thorough understanding of this benefit, and we can also help you reposition your assets so that you can develop a financial profile that would lead to Medi-Cal eligibility.
Access Our Special Reports
We have prepared three in-depth special reports that cover some important elder law issues that everyone should understand. These reports are being offered free of charge, so you should definitely take advantage of this opportunity to build on your knowledge.
You can visit our special reports page to access downloadable copies of the reports.
Develop a Holistic Plan for Aging!
Financial planning is looked upon as a basic responsibility, but many people that are diligent in this respect do not pay the same attention to the eventualities of aging. Clearly, challenges are looming, but you can manage them effectively if you take the right steps in advance.
We would be glad to work with you to create a pragmatic plan for aging that culminates in the appropriate passing of your legacy.
Our office environment is completely safe, and we are offering remote consultations as an alternative. You can call us at 310-337-7696 to schedule an appointment, and we have a contact form on this site you can fill out if you would rather send us a message.
Cesar has received his Masters of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology from the University of Southern California.
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