If you have an aging relative — regardless of how healthy they are now — it’s time to prepare for their future care needs. Consider this: A 65-year-old today has almost a 70% chance of eventually needing long-term care.
This elder care planning guide covers essential aspects such as housing, medical care, financial planning and legal considerations, providing you with strategies to make informed choices, avoid last-minute chaos and ensure your loved one receives the respect and care they deserve.
Types of Elder Care Services
There are various levels and types of elder care, but most fall into one of three categories.
Nursing homes provide 24-hour nursing supervision and assistance with daily activities. This differs slightly from a skilled nursing facility, which provides constant medical care and rehabilitation services. However, nursing homes can be costly, offer little privacy and feel clinical.
In an assisted living facility, your loved one may have their own living space and access to assistance and communal activities. This option balances independence and care but can still feel less impersonal than your home. It’s often more expensive than home care.
Home care allows the person to age in place in their own home or the home of a loved one. A family member or professional caregiver provides the care. Home care allows older adults to safely age in place because they are in a comfortable environment with access to companion care and skilled nursing services. Benefits include more personalized care and a reduced risk of health-care-associated infections.
Financial Considerations for Elder Care
Figuring out the future cost of elder care can be tricky. The AARP has a long-term care cost calculator that can help you estimate costs in your area.
Once you have a general cost in mind, you should review how it stacks up with your loved one’s resources.
- Long-term care insurance needs to be purchased before major health issues arise. Most people buy it in their mid-50s or mid-60s.
- Work with a financial planner to review investments and retirement accounts
- Medicaid can help pay for long-term care for those with limited resources.
The National Council on Aging provides strategies for helping elderly relatives with budgeting, and its BenefitsCheckUp can help you identify financial assistance programs.
Elder Care Legal and Ethical Issues to Consider
Properly addressing legal and ethical issues can protect your loved one’s rights and help ensure their wishes will be respected.
Legal Documents Related to Elder Care
Legal documents (such as wills, living trusts, power of attorney and advance directives) provide clarity and guidance on managing your loved one’s affairs when they are no longer able to do so.
- Wills and trusts spell out the distribution of an individual’s assets after their death. Trusts offer a more flexible way to manage assets and are especially useful if your loved one becomes incapacitated.
- A durable power of attorney lets your loved one appoint a person to manage their affairs if they are unable to do so. You’ll likely need one for health care and one for finances.
- Advance directives outline health care preferences, especially in situations where the elder may be unable to communicate their wishes. Advance directives typically include a living will.
- HIPAA release forms allow designated individuals to access the elder’s medical records.
Consulting a lawyer ensures these documents are properly drafted.
The National Institute on Aging offers a detailed checklist to help you gather all the important documents you need. Once you’ve done that, consider putting it all in a folder or binder for easy organizing and reference.
Ethical Considerations in Elder Care
Elder care ethics focus on maintaining dignity and respect for seniors, including preserving autonomy and preventing harm.
The right to self-determination doesn’t diminish with age or illness. It’s crucial to respect your loved one’s choices, even when they differ from yours. Autonomy in seniors is associated with improved mental (and physical) health and enhanced well-being.
To ensure that (regardless of whether at a facility or in-home care):
- Work with your loved one and the facility (or home care professional) to develop a care plan that reflects their preferences and values. Update it regularly to keep it relevant.
- Encourage your loved one to actively participate in decisions about their care.
Preventing Elder Abuse
Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, financial scams and sexual abuse. Neglect also constitutes abuse. If your loved one is in assisted living, a nursing home or is being cared for by a professional caregiver, be vigilant.
- Recognize the signs of abuse and neglect, including unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, withdrawal and poor hygiene.
- Conduct unannounced visits and check for any signs of mistreatment.
- Install a video camera, with your loved one’s consent. You can use a nanny cam at home. However, putting up a camera in an outside facility is legal in only a few states, so check with a lawyer first.
The National Center on Elder Abuse offers an array of resources on identifying and reporting elder abuse.
Home Caregiving Options
If you and your loved one decide that aging in place is the best option, the choice typically comes down to family caregivers versus professional caregivers.
Family Caregivers
Family members are likely to have a deep bond with their elderly loved ones and can provide more personalized care. Using family caregivers is also much less costly.
However, they may lack the training or skills to handle complex medical needs. Moreover, caring for an elderly loved one can be physically and emotionally demanding. The resulting burnout can harm their physical and mental health and decrease their effectiveness as caregivers and strain relationships.
Professional Caregivers
Depending on their certifications and licensing, professional caregivers can manage many medical and non-medical needs, including specialized services such as physical therapy.
They’re able to provide consistent and reliable care without other distractions, removing much of the burden from family members.
However, professional caregiving services can be expensive. However, you can explore strategies for paying for senior home care, such as tapping Medicare, long-term care coverage and other potential benefits and programs. It is important to have an emotional connection to ensure a client’s trust and safety. Be sure to research services to create the best possible environment for your loved one.
So, how do you find a qualified, compatible and trustworthy professional caregiver? Here are some steps to help you get started:
- Decide whether to go through an agency or do direct hire. There are pros and cons to each.
- Research agencies and read reviews. Reputable home care agencies ensure that their staff meets all necessary regulations and training requirements.
- Tap into resources such as the National Association of Home Care and Hospice’s online database or Medicare’s home health care tool.
Family and Outside Help — Why Not Both?
A professional caregiver can provide relief for a family caregiver a few hours or a couple of days a week, offering the benefits of both options.
Taking the Next Step
Now is the time to craft a thoughtful elder care plan that addresses all aspects of your loved one’s future, including housing, finances, medical needs and legal considerations.
It may seem daunting, but gathering the right documents and making important decisions today will ensure your loved one receives the best possible care tomorrow.
BrightStar Care® Can Help
BrightStar Care provides many services, including assistance with elder care planning. Whether you're looking for in-home care services or assisted living for your loved one or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.