Our population is living longer, healthier, lives and continuing to live in their own homes or independent living centers. Many families live across multiple states and as their parents age, children may not be close by to help with the day-to-day tasks. While a parent may not need help that rises to the level of care provided by a nursing assistant or nursing home, they may need assistance doing laundry, getting groceries, or paying the bills. When family is too far away and the parent wishes to maintain independence, who is there to help?
While a health care agent can make decisions about your health for you, and should be a family member or trusted individual, they may not be the best person to provide day-to-day care and assistance. If an attorney or corporation is named as a health care agent, that person can step in for medical decisions when you are incapacitated, but they will not be able to sit with you at the hospital if you are ill, or drive you to your doctor’s appointment.
A home care company can provide the services that allows a loved one to maintain a certain level of independence, but be secure in knowing that they have help with difficult tasks. A home care company can:
- Help maintain a home with laundry, cleaning, or other light housekeeping chores;
- Run errands like grocery shopping, pharmacy pick-ups, dry cleaning and more;
- Provide transportation needs for doctor visits or simply for a chance to get out of the house;
- Provide meal preparation;
- Assist with bill paying and money management, help to read mail to assure a financial advertisement isn’t a scam or credit card solicitation;
- Help with medication management.
These services allow an aging parent to continue to live in their own home and maintain a level of independence but also feel confident that they have help in the areas they need. Having a health care directive and financial power of attorney provides protection when a parent reaches a point of incapacity, but for a full life of independence, a home care service can provide freedom and longevity.
Assuring proper estate planning documents are in place is one part of planning for a future and providing care but a holistic look at a person’s quality of life is also important. Contact the estate planning attorneys at Grissom Law, LLC today to create a whole plan for a parent’s care.
Disclaimer
This Blog/Web Site is made available for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and Grissom Law, LLC.