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ELDER CARE
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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LONG-TERM CARE
Research shows that roughly 1 in 7 adults age 65 or older will need long-term care at some point in their later years . Meanwhile , tens of millions of Baby Boomers in the United States are growing older and living longer . It seems inevitable then that the future of long-term care will be undergoing significant changes .
The challenges of providing quality care to an ever-larger senior population are numerous . Policy changes , investments in the health care workforce , technological advancements and more may all be necessary . To ensure that you have a plan in place for your care , it is more important than ever to connect with an experienced elder law attorney sooner rather than later . Continue reading to understand why attorneys in this legal area are especially suited to assist you .
CHALLENGES FACING LONG-TERM CARE
• Aging Population – The U . S . is experiencing a rapidly aging population . Projections show that by 2050 , the number of Americans age 65 or older will reach 82 million . This demographic shift is stepping up demand for long-term care services on an enormous scale .
• Increasing Demand – With a growing number of older adults , the need for more long-term care options is greater than ever . These options include nursing homes , assisted living facilities , and home health care services .
• Strained Workforce – The existing shortage of health care workers , from caregivers to nurses and physicians , may get worse still . The increase in demand is already straining the existing workforce and affecting the availability and quality of care .
• Cost – Most long-term care options are expensive , and individuals struggle to afford the services they need . Medicaid serves as the primary payer for long-term care , but this also places a significant financial burden on state budgets .
• Shift to Home-Based Care – More and more older adults prefer to receive care in their homes rather than in an institutional setting . Home-based services require greater advancements in technology and telehealth to facilitate these kinds of care options .
• Community-Based Services – Beyond home-based care , other types of services for older adults are ripe for expansion ; for example , transportation assistance , meal delivery and social engagement programs .
• Integration of Technology – Technology continues to play a significant role in the future of long-term care and care-athome services .
• Policy and Regulatory Changes – Lawmakers need to recognize and pass long-term care initiatives focusing on expanding insurance coverage options , increasing workforce training and support , and implementing quality standards .
• Caregiver Support – Family caregivers provide the majority of long-term care in the U . S . today , and recognizing and supporting the needs of these caregivers is essential .
• Declining Birth Rate – As fewer young people are entering the U . S . workforce and paying into the tax system , governments are finding it difficult to fund the growing challenges of longterm care .
FOUR WAYS ZACHARIA BROWN ELDER LAW ATTORNEYS CAN HELP YOU PLAN FOR LONG-TERM CARE
Elder law attorneys understand the challenges of long-term care planning amidst the shifting care environment . Evaluating costs and developing strategies to pay for long-term care before you need it is crucial . Some planning strategies that we can help with include : 1 . Protecting Assets
To protect against long-term care costs depleting your assets , an elder law attorney can use various legal tools to help preserve your wealth . This may include creating trusts or transferring assets so that you can qualify for government assistance programs like Medicaid .
2 . Executing Advance Financial and Health Care Directives Long-term care often involves planning ahead for important health care and financial decisions too . Your directives should include essential documents such as durable financial and health care powers of attorney and living will .
3 . Securing Guardianship
When individuals can no longer make decisions for themselves , an elder law attorney can help initiate guardianship proceedings .
4 . Securing Medicaid or Veterans Benefits If your loved one requires long-term care and / or you or a spouse is a military veteran , an experienced elder law attorney can help you explore and access available benefits to assist with long-term care needs .
The experienced attorneys at Zacharia Brown understand Pennsylvania ’ s specific laws and regulations and have the knowledge to provide you with personalized advice based on your unique circumstances .
Proper planning will protect your interests , and the sooner you develop a comprehensive long-term care strategy , the better your chance of receiving quality care while protecting your assets .
Carl Zacharia is the founding partner of the estate planning and elder law firm of Zacharia Brown P . C . Zacharia Brown focuses its practice on asset preservation planning ; Medicaid eligibility ; Veterans Benefits planning ; estate administration ; and estate planning including wills , powers of attorney , living wills , and trusts . Pittsburgh-area office locations include McMurray , Murrysville , Wexford and McKeesport . Phone : 724.942.6200 Website : zacbrownlaw . com Email : carl @ zacbrown . com
McMurray / Wexford - 724.942.6200 Murrysville / Versailles - 412.751.5670
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