Taking Care of Legal Matters for Later in Life

One of the most difficult things can be to watch a loved one lose their mental capacity. But this is a reality many families face as one of their beloved grows older and age requires them to rely on senior care. Westlake Village, CA families face this problem too.

As families look for personal care for seniors they need to consider some important legal matters before their loved one’s mental faculties decline too far. Help for seniors with dementia in Westlake Village, CA can be found with the CAREGivers of Home Instead. But here are some other questions you may want to consult a lawyer about.

First is whether a loved one still has the capacity to legally sign documents. This becomes a real question when they show signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The answer, often, is “it depends.” A good lawyer could walk through the details of the various situations, but different legal documents can require different levels of mental capacity. The key is getting things done as early as possible, so there’s no question about whether your loved one can sign any particular legal document. So, whether your elderly parent needs live-in care, or just a companion for the elderly in Westlake Village, CA, the time to get sound legal advice is sooner rather than later.

Another matter to consider is which documents you will need. For starters, A Last Will and Testament would be a good idea. It will make matters of inheritance much, much easier on that unhappy day when a loved one has passed on. But even before that day, other documents are good to have in place. One is a health care direction. Sometimes called a Living Will, or a Health Care Surrogate Designation, this document empowers trusted loved ones to make decisions about health care that would be in line with what the one in need of senior care would wish. Two other documents that may be good are a trust agreement and a durable power of attorney.

And as your family member ages, financial questions can become a major source of concern. Medical costs and residential assisted living can become ruinous for those with chronic health conditions. Steps can be taken to protect assets that should go to beneficiaries rather than medical bills, such as real estate and life savings, in the event of catastrophic medical bills. Find an excellent attorney who is well versed in this area of law. That person can be a huge help in deciding which arrangements make the most sense for your situation, and in setting up the right ones.

The key to all of this is finding a truly excellent attorney who knows this area of law. Also, of course, make sure their fee structure is affordable. You should ask about rates and fees for their services upfront. A good attorney will not be put off by this but will be perfectly willing to explain their rates and fees. So ask questions of the legal experts you approach, so you and your loved one have peace of mind in this difficult period of life.

And for all of your residential assisted living needs, talk with the trained, licensed, bonded CAREGivers of Home Instead for a care package that suits your needs and fits your budget.