Dallas County Living Well Magazine January/February 2019 | Page 31

SUPPORTING YOUR
AGING LOVED ONES
T
By Leu & Peirce, PLLC
he holiday season is a time
for reconnecting with loved
ones and reminiscing about
fond memories. For those of
us with aging family members,
we may find ourselves concerned with
their wellbeing and whether they have
a plan to handle the challenges they
will face as they age. Families live far-
ther apart and are unable to care for
and support each other as in the past.
Understandably, initiating a conversa-
tion about aging can be overwhelm-
ing and even uncomfortable. Start
with how they would like to live the
rest of their lives, and then discuss how
you can help make that happen.
Many people think only of a Will
when contemplating the legal docu-
ments necessary to protect their future.
However, there are more documents
and considerations in developing a
well-rounded estate plan. Every estate
plan ought to include the following
documents:
• Durable Power of Attorney
• Medical Power of Attorney
• Directive to Physicians and Family
or Surrogates (Living Will) 
• Authorization to Release Medical
Information  (HIPAA Authorization)
• Declaration of Guardian 
• Will 
Although often overlooked, a Durable
Power of Attorney and a Medical Pow-
er of Attorney are critical parts of long-
term care planning that enable your
loved one to designate who will act
for them if they are unable to handle
their own financial and healthcare de-
cisions. Encourage your loved one to
appoint who they trust to handle their
affairs now, as well as in the future.
Sometimes people appoint family mem-
bers as agents to keep affairs private
and avoid hurting feelings. However,
a family member may not always be
the best option. In all
cases, signing estate
planning documents
should be done only
after deep reflection
regarding the abilities
and trustworthiness of
each potential agent.
Healthcare has be-
come one of the most
confusing and uncertain issues se-
niors face as they age. This is espe-
cially true when it comes to preparing
for the cost of funding long-term care.
Long-term care differs from other
types of healthcare. The goal of long-
term care is not to cure an illness, but
to allow an individual to maintain an
optimal level of functioning. There are
wide ranges of living arrangements
for seniors, from retirement commu-
nities to assisted living facilities to
skilled nursing facilities. Some people
want to stay in their homes as long as
possible and bring in outside help to
make that possible. Others want the
freedom from home maintenance that
a senior residence community offers.
There exists a long-standing myth that
Medicare will pay for all healthcare
needs of seniors, including long-term
care. The reality is that Medicare
provides support only in limited situ-
ations. Notably, Medicare does not
pay for assisted living, memory care,
or long-term custodial care in skilled
nursing facilities.
Some people are fortunate to have
the ability to private pay for long-term
care, which ranges from $3,000 to
$16,000/month in the Dallas-Fort
Worth area. Others have long-term
care insurance to pay for care. How-
ever, long-term care insurance may
not be available if your loved one
has certain existing health problems,
and the costs can rise as they age.
Therefore, it is important to inves-
tigate the availability of long-term
care insurance as early as possible.
If your loved one cannot qualify for
long-term care insurance, there are
financial options that may fit their cir-
cumstances and provide similar cov-
erage. All individuals approaching
retirement age should have a plan in
place for funding their long-term care
needs. As with any plan for the future,
it would be best in writing and shared
with trusted family members to help
eliminate confusion in the future.
Do not be afraid to discuss these im-
portant issues with your loved ones.
Encourage them to seek qualified pro-
fessional advice on legal documents,
healthcare, insurance, and financial
planning. Professionals, such as El-
der Law attorneys, who work primar-
ily with seniors, are attuned to the
complex financial and social deci-
sions their clients face. Additionally,
they can often provide connections
to a community of support agencies
and organizations, such as geriatric
care managers, psychologists, and
other professionals who may be of
assistance to seniors and their fami-
lies. Talking about these issues with
your aging loved ones now can help
ensure they will have what they need
to provide for their care in the New
Year, and for many years to come.
Lori Leu, Erin Peirce, Lauren Olson, and Laura Chavero are Elder Law attorneys with Leu & Peirce, PLLC
located in the North Dallas area. They can be reached at 972-996-2540.
DALLAS COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019
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