No one like to watch a loved one begin to lose their mental sharpness. Unfortunately, this is a reality many faces as family members age and begin to require elder care. Studio City, CA families aren’t immune from this.
As families are looking for personal care for elderly they need to consider some important questions about legal matters before their loved one’s mental faculties decline too far. Help for seniors with Alzheimers in Studio City, CA is available from the CAREGivers of Home Instead, but here are some questions you may want to consult a lawyer about.
First is whether a loved one can still sign documents when they show signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s. The answer is usually “it depends.” A lawyer would be able to walk through the details of the various situations because different legal actions can require different levels of mental capacity. The key is getting out ahead of the matter, and getting everything squared away before it’s too late on any particular legal document. So whether your elderly parent needs 24-hour care, or just a senior companion in Studio City, CA, the time to get sound legal advice is sooner rather than later.
Another matter to consider is which documents are needed. A Last Will and Testament will make probate and matters of inheritance much, much easier when a loved one has passed on, but even before that unhappy day, other documents are good to have in place. One is a health care direction. Sometimes called a Living Will, or a Health Care Surrogate Designation, this enables trusted loved ones to make decisions about health care in line with what the one in need of elderly care would wish. Two other documents that may be good are a trust agreement and a durable power of attorney.
And as our loved one's age, financial concerns can become a major source of unease. Medical costs and elderly assisted living can become ruinous for those with chronic health conditions. Financial devices exist that will protect one’s assets, such as real estate and life savings, in the event of catastrophic medical bills. An excellent attorney who is well versed in this area of law can be a huge help in deciding which arrangement makes the most sense for your situation, and in setting up the right ones.
But the key is finding a truly excellent attorney who knows this area of law, and — and this is important — making sure their fee structure is affordable. Ask what they will charge for their services upfront. A good attorney will be perfectly willing to explain their rates and fees. So ask questions of the legal experts you approach, so you and your loved one have peace of mind in this difficult period of life.
And for all of your residential assisted living needs, talk with the trained, licensed, bonded CAREGivers of Home Instead for a care package that suits your needs and fits your budget.
Call Home Instead today at (818) 805-2208 for an in-home or virtual assessment.
