Why Your Family Needs a Plan for Long-Term Care

Planning for aging loved ones or family members with disabilities isn’t just a good idea; it’s absolutely essential.  Long-term care costs now exceed $100,000 per year, and dementia-related care alone can total nearly $185,000 over a lifetime. As we approach 2025, national spending on dementia care is expected to skyrocket to $781 billion. And it’s not just medical bills; most of that figure reflects unpaid caregiving and lost wages for family members. Without a solid plan in place, this kind of care can quietly drain your family’s finances and emotional bandwidth.

The Risks of Not Planning:

• No clear medical or financial authority during emergencies

• Exposure to financial exploitation

• Last-minute choices about long-term care

• Risk of losing savings to qualify for Medicaid

How to Create a Solid Plan

It’s never too early to start preparing. A smart plan addresses legal protections, financial strategies, and care logistics. Here’s what we recommend:

1. Get the Right Legal Documents in Place:

   • Durable Power of Attorney

   • Health Care Surrogate Designation and HIPAA releases

   • Living Will / Advance Directive

2. Safeguard Assets and Plan for Long-Term Care:

3. Use irrevocable or special needs trusts where appropriate

4. Consider long-term care insurance or funding strategies

5. Make a Care Plan:

6. Think through safety upgrades, medication management, and emergency procedures

7. Get to know geriatric care managers and explore care facilities before you need them

Quick Checklist: Are You Ready?

• Have you documented your loved one’s health conditions and medications?

• Do you know what income and assets are available?

• Are legal documents up to date and is the individual still competent to sign them?

• Have you discussed care preferences and family dynamics?

• Are you aware of Medicaid eligibility rules?

Why Timing Matters

Delaying planning only increases risk. If your loved one loses capacity, it may become impossible to sign critical documents. And remember, Medicaid has a 5-year look-back period, so asset protection must be done early.

Let’s Get Started, Together

The best plans involve your whole family and a trusted team of professionals. As an elder law attorney, I help families navigate these challenges with clarity, compassion, and a plan that fits your unique situation.

If you’ve been putting this off, now’s the time to take action. Don’t wait until you’re in crisis mode. Schedule your strategy session here.