Tough Decisions: How Caregivers Can Help Elderly or Disabled Loved Ones in Decline
Tending to seniors as they age or decline with a disability is one of the most compassionate, loving acts one can engage in. The elderly and people with disabilities are vulnerable and often rely on the care of others to stay safe and comfortable. Caregivers often find themselves in situations that require challenging decisions. It is, therefore, important to know the wishes of the person you are helping. People who are helping their loved ones with estate issues will benefit from checking out the Cleveland Appraisal Blog. Appraisal and real estate law can be tricky and obtaining advice from a knowledgeable professional will help you and your loved ones make informed decisions and have peace of mind. Here are some factors to keep in mind.Deciding Whether or Not to Age in Place
Making the decision to give up one’s home is incredibly challenging, particularly during a pandemic. Knowing when it is the right time to sell a home and move in with loved ones or enter assisted living is a difficult choice. For some seniors, the thought of entering a facility and not seeing family as often is terrifying. You can help your loved one by providing the full spectrum of options so they can make an informed decision. Often, estate decisions come down to practicality and logistics. If your loved one is declining and needs full-time care, the decision to remain at home may be complicated. Some families have the option of taking turns as caregivers and staying in the home to assist. People who do not have this option available may be able to hire rotating shifts of Certified Nurses Assistants or Personal Care Attendants. Sometimes the cost of homecare exceeds the available resources, however, and it may be necessary to consider a long-term care facility.Managing Real Estate After Opting for Long-Term Care
In the event of a long-term care decision, often elderly or disabled loved ones need to sell their home to afford placement. If someone enters a facility for long-term care and runs out of funds to pay for their stay, their home can be obtained by the state after the person’s death. There are different elder law rules and regulations for each state, so consult an attorney to obtain answers about your location. Decisions are best made when a person is “of sound mind and body” and can have their decisions legally documented. It is important to have a Power of Attorney and Living Will established to help with challenging decisions about finances, particularly if one is suddenly impaired due to a health crisis. Creating a POLST or Advanced Directive is another wise measure to ensure that one’s medical wishes are followed. Doctor’s offices and social workers at your local hospital can assist with the completion of these forms to ensure your loved one’s wishes are honored. In the event of incapacitation, family members are sometimes left to make these difficult choices without the senior being able to communicate preferences. In situations like this, family members should gather and try to make a decision that is fair and supports the senior’s needs for care. Selling the home and using its proceeds to support care in a facility is sometimes the most feasible option, particularly if they have limited financial resources.Obtaining Help from Professionals
Prior to making any decisions, consider speaking with an advocate for elderly or disabled people and hire a realtor who has experience with estate sales. Your loved one needs supportive, compassionate care during this difficult time in their life. These challenging decisions are stressful — trust the professionals to help you make an informed choice. As a family member who is assisting with this process, you should have good representation to ensure that the best choices are being made for your loved one. When the process is complete, you can rest assured that you helped make the transition as smooth as possible and acted on their behalf with compassion and common sense.
Image link: https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-hands-senior-photograph-5518008/
Image credit: Pixabay.com
I hope that you found this post to be helpful. Especially if you and your family are going through difficult times like described in this article. A big thank you to June Duncan for writing this piece for the Cleveland Appraisal Blog!
If you’re a senior looking for information about safe driving and alternative forms of transportation, Bankrate.com offers some guideance that you might find helpful. (Click here to learn more)
