What is Elder Law?

Why?

Elder Law can be described as the complex legal challenges facing our aging senior population as they begin to navigate through their options for long term care.

For instance, some of the greatest concerns facing our seniors include:

*Where will I live?

*Who will care for me?

*How will I pay for it?

Living Arrangements.

As baby boomers age, it becomes increasingly important for them to plan for the likelihood that they may no longer be able to care for themselves on their own. You or someone you love may need long term care assistance, in whatever form that may take - help from a spouse or other relative at home, a home health care company, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home.

Quality Care.

The next issue involves getting the right care in whichever type of environment you choose. For example, a spouse caring for another spouse may often provide the least disruption from the senior's current situation. However, the caregiving spouse's health, in the longer term, can be compromised. As another example, a senior may prefer to stay at home and utilize the services of a home health care company rather than moving to an assisted living facility or nursing. The senior continues to thrive in his or her own in environment, but now there is a second "relief" caregiver who can come in and help the family. In some cases, the senior who may now be single and alone could move to an senior independent living arrangement or an assisted living facility. These types of places have more to offer seniors such as group and social activities, as well as access to health care if such is needed. There may come a time when even the home health care company or assisted living facility can no longer keep up with the senior's health needs, and then the senior moves to a skilled nursing facility.

Payment.

The challenge, in this economy, and in the days when may boomers may have burned through retirement savings or may not have a pension, is to find a way to cover the cost of long term care.

Next Steps.

You may contact our office to set up an appointment to discuss your options when it comes to Elder Law.

To learn more about how we address these issues at Westerbeke Law Firm, PLLC, we encourage you to come to a future seminar or schedule a consultation.