Concerned About Your Future Care? How Older Adults In Clearwater Can Protect Themselves In The New Year

A new year offers the perfect opportunity for older adults in Clearwater to step back, assess their current situation, and plan for the new year. A top priority is ensuring potential long-term care needs are covered. Being proactive can save time and money while making things less chaotic in the future. Our Clearwater elder law attorney explains how to assess your current living situation and some available options.

Assessing Your Living Situation As An Older Adult In Clearwater

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that roughly 70 percent of older Americans will eventually require long-term care. This emphasizes why it is important for older adults in Clearwater to plan ahead when it comes to their future needs.

In planning for the future, assess your current living situation first. Consider the following:

• Your current health: Do you have chronic health conditions likely to worsen over time? Will you require more intensive care in the future?
• Your current living situation: Is your home safe and easy to navigate and upkeep?
• Your support system: Do you have family or friends willing to help with long-term care needs?
• Your finances: Do you have long-term care insurance or other resources to help cover future care costs?

In addition to asking yourself these questions, make sure you have estate planning documents in place, such as a will, power of attorney, and advance directives.

Long-Term Care Options For Older Adults In Clearwater

Once you have assessed your current situation, consider your options for long-term care. Each has unique benefits depending on your health, finances, and personal preferences:

• Aging in place: This is one of the most popular options. It requires an honest assessment of one’s home environment, potential help from family and friends, and support services available in the community.
• Assisted living: This allows you to maintain independence while getting help with cleaning, meals, health care, and other needs.
• Nursing Homes: This provides more in-depth care and medical services for older adults who need it.
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs): These communities are springing up throughout Clearwater and provide a range of care options that allow older adults to make transitions based on their changing needs.

When considering your options for long-term care, consider how you will meet the often exorbitant costs. Creating a trust can qualify you for Medicaid services within your community and help offset the high costs of nursing homes and other care.

Discuss Your Options With Our Clearwater Elder Law Attorney

The start of a new year presents a good opportunity to assess your current living situation and plan for future needs. From updating legal documents like wills and powers of attorney to making plans for long-term care and Medicaid eligibility, Clearwater elder law attorney William Rambaum provides the trusted guidance you need to chart your course.

Board-certified by the Florida Bar and the National Elder Law Foundation, our office has provided trusted legal guidance to clients in our community for over 40 years. To discuss your options, request a consultation today.

Source: 

hhs.gov/aging/long-term-care/index.html