The decision to move a family member or loved one into a nursing home is one of the most difficult decisions family members face.

Perhaps the move is being made because the family member can no longer care for himself or herself, suffers from a progressive disease like Alzheimer’s, or has experienced a stroke or heart attack.

The average monthly cost of nursing home care in California exceeds $9,000! Many people cannot afford to pay over $9,000 per month for the cost of nursing home care, and those who can pay for a while may find their life savings depleted very rapidly.

The emotional, physical and financial strains can be overwhelming and paralyzing.

You may wonder…Elder Law and medical planning attorney

“ Will mom or dad lose their home?”

“What happens to an inheritance or remaining assets?”

“Is there a responsible way to protect any assets?”

“What can be protected for the healthy spouse still at home?”

“What happens if we run out of money?”

“How do we get public benefits and will they be enough to pay for the help we need?”

and perhaps you don’t know where to turn for answers.

At times like these, it is important that you pause, take a deep breath and understand that there are things you can do.

My firm, the Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm, is dedicated to helping families who are overwhelmed or confused by all the decisions they have to make when they have a loved one in a nursing home or about to go to one. If your situation is similar, we can help with little-known strategies that will give you peace of mind and confidence during a challenging time.

While life may seem overwhelming and chaotic at the moment, turning the tables and gaining the upper hand again concerning your loved one’s care is something our firm can do for you.

Solid legal planning is the key to helping your loved one receive the best care possible without sacrificing the family’s financial security.

With the right tools, and using our knowledge of the law and strategies that have been successful in the past, we may be able to…

  • Reduce or even eliminate your nursing home bills;
  • Protect your lifesavings and financial security;
  • Increase the amount of income the healthy spouse gets to keep; and
  • Safely pass on an inheritance to your children.

Long Term Care Planning – Proactive Planning vs. Crisis Planning

Planning early for long term care has never hurt anyone, but planning too late (“crisis planning”) has cost many people substantial amounts of money. Even if a loved one is not quite ready to move into a nursing home or doesn’t quite yet need round-the-clock care, be sure to explore Advanced Long Term Care Planning with our office at your earliest opportunity for the best financial outcome.

Long Term Care Planning for elder peopleWhen you download our free e-book, The Sandwich Generation Guide: A Comprehensive Resource for Adults “Sandwiched” Between the Challenges of Caring for Aging Parents and their Own Family at the Same Time”, you will also discover:

  • Why Medicare will not cover nursing home or in-home health care costs…and how to pay for your loved one’s care without spending all of their money or paying out of pocket (expenses that can run in excess of $8,000 a month!)
  • How to avoid common mistakes that can jeopardize Medi-Cal eligibility or expose adult children to liability for their parent’s long term care costs.
  • Legal and financial strategies to shield your loved one’s assets and money from nursing homes or the state.
  • Why your parents’ estate plan may not work if it has not been updated in past 5 years.
  • How adding your name to a parent’s bank account or home can backfire causing serious penalties and exposure to lawsuits and creditors.
  • 3 documents you need to manage mom or dad’s affairs, access medical records and maintain control in the event of sickness or incapacity.
  • Key medical, financial and legal information you would never think to grab that will save you a ton of time, money, and headaches in a medical crisis.
  • How to give your parents the gift of aging without worry or struggle!

Remember, sickness, memory loss or incapacity from a stroke or other condition can happen without warning. Don’t wait to get a rock-solid plan in place to protect your parents and make your job as a caregiver as easy as possible.