Legal Issues
It may seem obvious that everyone should have all their legal documents in place and updated but I can assure you that it is the exception, not the rule. In addition to addressing inheritance issues, we address making a will or trust as appropriate. We also ensure that Advance Directives (Durable Power of Attorney and Living Will) are completed. These documents may look like forms that can be downloaded but in fact it is very important that they be complete and include specific powers to do every act that may be needed. A general statement that the “agent can do any act that I can do” will not suffice under Florida law, but more importantly will not be recognized by many of the institutions you may present it to.
Financial Issues
How do we pay for long term care? Insurance, private pay, public benefits? Proper planning should include a discussion of public benefits available for long term care. Many people assume that they are not eligible for Medicaid, veteran’s benefits or other programs or they do not know what they are entitled to or how to access them fully. Additionally, families must learn how to maximize already existing insurances such as long term care insurance, Medicare, medigap insurance or an HMO.
Social, Caregiver and Advocacy Issues
This entails a review of other community resources and programs and where the family can learn more. This will include housing options, caregiver options, funeral arrangements and care managers.
In future articles we will discuss each of these matters in more detail. For now, if Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne have taught us anything, it is to “be prepared.” Having preparations in place gave us peace of mind
and helped us to weather the storm.
Alice Reiter Feld, board certified in Elder Law by the State of Florida, has offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Delray Beach and Tamarac.
E-mail her at reiterfeld@theparklander.com
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