Dallas County Living Well Magazine Winter 2015 | Page 13

A Holiday Heart-to-Heart

D

By Lori Leu,
Erin Peirce, and Lauren Olson

uring the holiday season,
we are reminded that the
gifts we cherish the most
don’t come wrapped in a
box. Rather, it is the time
we spend with loved ones that makes
the greatest present of all. As you celebrate the holidays with friends and
family, sit down with the seniors in
your life to discuss their plans for the
future. There is more to planning for
the future than just an estate plan, and
informing your loved ones about Elder
Law topics will put them in control and
give them peace of mind. After all,
Elder Law is first and foremost about
empowering seniors.
Elder Law is not a new type of law, but
it is a relatively new way to bring several areas of law together to benefit
a particular group of people––older
adults. Elder Law services enable you
to make your own choices and decisions about managing life as you age.
Everyone wants to have some control
over the future, and Elder Law helps
you do just that. The main areas of
Elder Law include planning for your
living arrangements, financial well-being, healthcare options, and ultimate
disposition of assets. Helping seniors
learn about these Elder Law issues
may be the most valuable gift you give
this year.

Opening a conversation about aging
and care can be overwhelming. Consider starting with these important topics:
Housing – No one knows exactly
what the future holds, but the key to
feeling secure is to keep all of your options open. There are a wide range of
living arrangements for seniors, from
retirement communities to assisted living facilities to skilled nursing facilities.
Some people want to stay in their own
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. Elder Law services
can help you weigh all the options and
make sure you have the right plans in
place for the future.
Finances – Money matters can be
especially complex for seniors. It’s
important to plan carefully and preserve your assets for when you need
them most. Will your Social Security,
pension, or other retirement fund be
enough to pay all of your expenses?
Will you be eligible for public benefits
such as Medicaid or Veterans benefits? Have you designated individuals
to act on your behalf in financial and
legal matters through a proper Durable Power of Attorney so your finances
can be protected if you