Is your aging parent facing a health care crisis? Has the news been a blow to you and your family?
At Menendez Law Firm, because we are a Florida law firm, and 1 in 5 Florida residents are over the age of 65, we frequently work with the adult children of aging parents. As a result, we are very aware of how devastating news like this can be to the entire family. The family concerns are many, ranging from treatment options to the ease and accessibility of these.
We know that if you have aging parents you need as much support as possible. We want to share six important questions for you and your aging parent to think about regarding the steps that need to be taken in moving forward.
1. What support does your aging parent need right now? Is help with food needed? Grocery shopping? Medication management? Transportation to doctor appointments and treatment options? Is there someone local who can assist your aging parent, or will you be able to help out?
2. Do you know the health care providers for your aging parent? Do the health care providers have your information? Can the health care providers reach out to you? Can you reach out to them? Do your parents’ health care providers have a health care proxy for your aging parents in their records?
3. Speaking of a health care proxy, does your parent have advanced health care directives, appointing a decision-maker, and alternates, for health care decisions? Do you know the decisions that your parent would want a health care proxy to make on his/her behalf? In our Florida law firm, we meet with many clients facing the same questions that you and your aging parent have.
4. Do you know if your parent has chosen or thought about a decision maker for financial decisions? Does your parent have a valid Florida Power of Attorney? Has your parent taken the proper steps to avoid a guardianship? Some of the duties that an agent under a Power of Attorney can handle can include, but not be limited to, paying bills, ensuring income is regularly deposited if your parent is retired, monitoring financial investments, and even applying for public benefits to help pay for care should the need arise.
5. Do you know if your aging parent has a proper and comprehensive Florida estate plan? If the answer is yes, is it up to date? Does the estate plan reflect your parent’s wishes, decisions, and legacy? Are all the assets taken into account, so as to avoid probate or guardianship?
6. Do you know if your aging parent ever made any long-term care plans? Can your parent live at home independently? Will your parent need a caregiver? How can your parent plan forward to afford the care he or she may need? Has his or her health care crisis changed this?
As experienced Florida estate planning attorneys we can work with you and your aging parent to determine not just what your parent wants to do at the time of his or her passing, but who your parent wants to give legal authority to make his or her decisions regarding health care, assets and other important matters, such as long-term care and Medicaid planning.
There is so much to address with an aging parent in light of a health care crisis. These could be difficult conversations, which could greatly benefit by having an experienced Florida estate planning attorney be part of the discussion. In our Florida estate planning office, we help clients navigate the complications of long-term care planning.
We know this article may raise more questions than it answers. In our law firm, we work to protect your peace of mind, no matter what you or your family members are facing. When thinking of the future, it is essential that you have a law firm that you can trust to help you prepare everything you need. The expert attorneys at Menendez Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, provide you with the highest level of professionalism and responsiveness to ensure you get the personal attention you deserve when planning out the future of your estate and so much more. Do not wait to
contact us today!