Estate planning is something that should be taken care of well ahead of any life-altering illness or injury. Sometimes, this type of planning requires gentle reminders to ensure seniors aren’t putting things off to their own detriment. Here are several ways you can help your elderly loved one with this process.
Offer to Help Find the Right Lawyer or Financial Advisor
This can be a challenging process, especially if your loved one attempts to handle it alone. Finding a reputable financial advisor and an elder law attorney can be an effective way to make seniors more proactive about planning this important part of their lives. With this assistance, your loved one can ensure all required documents are filled out and recorded properly.
It’s also essential to find out your loved one’s preferences for continuing to live at home or moving to an assisted living facility as he or she gets older. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading Auburn homecare agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
Make an Estate Planning Checklist
Estate planning shouldn’t be overwhelming. Creating a checklist for your loved one that breaks estate planning down into a series of manageable items can help everything seem less daunting. A good checklist will include:
- A living will or advance healthcare directive
- A durable power of attorney
- A final will and testament
- A review of beneficiary forms
Planning for your loved one’s future should also include considerations about his or her ability to continue aging in place. Living alone at home in the golden years can present a few unique challenges. Trust elder care professionals to help your senior loved one maintain a higher quality of life while he or she lives with an illness and performs the daily tasks of living.
Lighten the Mood
Making decisions about end-of-life and after-death issues can be depressing. It often makes seniors confront their own mortality in ways they may not be ready for. Plan a fun, lively activity you and your loved one can enjoy after the work is done. This can lift your loved one’s spirits after hours of planning and introspection.
Schedule Reminders to Review Documents
Some seniors already have their wills, advance directives, and other important documents in place. If this applies to your loved one, it’s still important to have these documents reviewed and revised every few years. Anytime there’s a significant change in assets or after-death preferences, estate documents may need to be altered to reflect these changes.
Many seniors begin their estate planning after being diagnosed with serious illnesses or experiencing major injuries. Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Auburn, Alabama, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver. Call Home Care Assistance today at (334) 744-7100 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.