Hiring an Elder Attorney

Aging comes with many legal aspects that the everyday person might feel overwhelmed by. If you are a caregiver or loved one of someone who is elderly, an elder attorney can help to navigate this unknown landscape.

What is an Elder Attorney?

An elder attorney is someone who acts as an advocate for the elderly and their loved ones. They can handle a wide range of legal matters which affect older or disabled persons.

They can handle issues relating to:

• health care

• guardianship

• long term care planning

• retirement

• Medicare/Medicaid

• Social Security

Compared to general attorneys, elder attorneys are specialists in the needs of older adults, which can be different and more specialized than those of younger adults. Their specialization also makes them more equipped to handle the sensitive physical and emotional needs of older or disabled adults. This equates to someone who can handle a variety of difficult situations.

Elder attorneys also take care of day-to-day issues that affect the care of seniors, such as life planning and assisted living.

When Should You Hire an Elder Attorney?

It is beneficial to hire an elder attorney if you or your loved one are looking for someone to help with any of the following.

Wills and Estate Planning

Elder attorneys can go over the importance of creating a will, including planning for an adult with special needs, probate proceedings, and other matters. They can also help draft a living will, create a durable power of attorney, and create long-term planning documents.

Long Term Care

Sometimes, it can be hard to decide where is best for your loved ones to live as they grow older, taking their safety and comfort into mind. An elder attorney can help locate long-term care facilities that match the needs of your loved one and manage the cost of assisted living. They can also explain the rights given to those in nursing homes and can file nursing home claims if needed.

Health Care and Planning

Long-term care options, Medicare, patient rights, and health care power of attorney are all areas that an elder attorney can assist in. Since they primarily deal with the elderly, they understand how certain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, can affect the family, and they can help you and your loved one plan for what is to come.

Financial Representation

Elder attorneys can help with financial planning, including a durable financial power of attorney. They can also help with housing opportunities and planning, estate, income, and gift tax matters.

Guardianship

An elder attorney can help with the selection and appointment of a legal guardian if your loved one is incapacitated and cannot make decisions on their own.

Growing older comes with many legal aspects that can be confusing to navigate. This is where an elder attorney is beneficial. Elder attorneys help to create some solid “knowns” in a time when everything can seem unknown, and at Long Life Care Management, we can help you decide when it is best to hire an elder attorney.