By Lisa Hostetler Brown, Certified Elder Law Attorney; Upstate Elder Law- A Division of Lawyer Lisa, LLC
Q: My loved one was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I am overwhelmed with all that we are facing now. Where do we even begin?
A: This is everyone’s worst nightmare! But, do not fret; we have a solution for you. First and foremost you need a plan, a life care plan, that starts with a legal and financial foundation that will provide for peace of mind as you begin the journey with your loved one. Ensuring that you have all of your basic estate planning documents in place (Financial Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, Will/Trust, HIPAA Authorization form) is the first step to safeguarding the wishes of the unwell loved one.
Simultaneously, you can seek the support of an Elder Care Coordinator (ECC) who will use their experience and expertise as a nurse, social worker or geriatric care manager to help them guide you with a comprehensive approach to developing a care plan for your loved one through assessment, education, coordination and advocacy. They take all the numerous options out there and boil them down to the top choices based on consultation with you on your goals and preferences as well as their own knowledge of industry resources and relationships.
As a supportive and knowledgeable professional your ECC will coordinate your care by referring you to qualified local care providers, facilities, counselors and support groups. The ECC will advocate for your care needs so you can remain in your home as long as possible. By personally visiting the home, they are able to assess safety issues and recommend solutions like transportation programs and stay up to date on technology to improve quality of life. They identify quality and cost of resources in the community allowing you to make better decisions. When remaining in your home is no longer an option, your ECC will attend care plan meetings and be a zealous advocate for your loved one to ensure the best possible care in the most appropriate environment. Your ECC keeps you informed on patient’s rights, responsibilities of care needs, and what to expect from care providers or when a new level of care is needed, like end-of-life care.
We know that changes occur and when they do your ECC will collaborate with the Life Care Planning team to revise your plan and to assure that your loved one receives the quality of care they deserve through all stages of aging. The nature of aging can be complex, but when you have a team supporting you that can pivot your plan as life unfolds and guide you through optimal options, the journey becomes lighter. The dedicated ECC is what sets apart Life Care Planning and Elder Law firms from other solutions.
