In some cases, like with an accident or sudden onset of a debilitating illness, a care plan must be made immediately. Other times, such as slowly aging and declining, a care plan can be constructed over a period of time. Caregiving needs to be approached in a very organized manner.
The first step is to assess the current situation. Take into account all areas of your loved one’s daily life. This will include the home environment, ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), health status, estate plan and financial situation. This allows you to determine which areas the senior remains able to be independent and self-sufficient. It also shows areas that need to be addressed.
Next it is time to identify, list and research solutions for those areas that need to be addressed. Prioritize your list. Health and quality of life usually take the top of the list. This typically means ensuring your loved one lives in an environment that is safe and someone is available to assist with ADLs that need assistance. Some examples may be moving the loved one to a downstairs bedroom so they no longer need to take stairs. It may mean developing a schedule of family members and friends who visit each day to complete a list of tasks such as sorting medication, light housework, stocking the pantry and paying the bills. It may require hiring a paid caregiver.
Alongside those solutions, you may need to tackle financial planning, estate planning and long-term care planning. Proactive planning in all of these areas increases the likelihood that your loved one will be able to afford the desired lifestyle. It also guarantees their health care and end-of-life wishes are respected and sets out how their assets will be distributed upon death. As long as your loved one is competent to make these types of decisions, he or she should participate in these meetings with advisors. If your loved one is no longer competent, you may need to seek legal guardianship in order to make these arrangements.
At this point you will need to conduct some research. Assemble a team of elder care experts that include an elder law attorney, CPA, financial advisor and a geriatric specialist or consultant. Sometimes a geriatric specialist is referred to as an Aging Life Care Professional. This expert assists in organizing, monitoring and facilitating the care plan.
Once you have created a comprehensive care plan, it is time to put it into action. There should be a communication plan that allows the family members to communicate with the team in an organized and efficient manner. The plan may need to evolve periodically as needs change. Flexibility is key. There are software products that provide a digital way to securely store sensitive information and allow certain caregivers, family members and professionals to access the portions of the plan they need. LawSafe, Everplans, DocuBank and MYLO are options to research and consider.
For more information on long-term care planning and estate planning in conjunction with creating a care plan for a senior loved one, contact the elder law attorneys at Stouffer Legal in the Greater Baltimore area. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599 or emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com.
