If you’re lucky, you and your loved ones will live a long and healthy life. It is what most people hope for but don’t actually plan for, neglecting to plan for the possibility of assisted living or long-term care.
Despite the numerous news stories about the global aging of the population, many people do not take steps to plan ahead. Whether it is because people do not have the time, knowledge or inclination to think about a nebulous future, the only constant in life is change, so it is better to try to have some sort of plan in place.
Among the reasons why you should try to create a plan long-term care:
Maintain an increased level of control over your own medical and financial decision-making.
In the case of a health crisis, there would be a smoother transition between care facilities and the management of general responsibilities, including financial decision
Family members will have a clear understanding of your wishes, which will reduce some of the stress involved in making decision
Pre-planning will help ensure you have the necessary funds for long-term care and hopefully, some assets can then be set aside for your family
With a rapidly increasing population of elderly, there will also be an increasing demand for elder care services as well as competition for government assistance
Navigating the oftentimes-complicated system of long-term care can be stressful but if you have a plan of action before a crisis, some of the stress will be relived. Seek out information and try to make some decisions before a crisis occurs so everyone in your family will be on the same page. Being an educated and proactive consumer will give you a greater peace of mind.
If you or a family member need help now with elder care services in California, please contact ElderLink for free assistance. Whether you might need home care, assisted living or nursing home placement, one of our knowledgeable staff members will help you create a customized elder care plan to suit your needs.