Dementia and Planning for Long-Term Care

When it comes to long term planning for your family, dementia can make it even tougher. Attorney Justin Randall appeared on Local 5 Live to discuss the importance of planning for Dementia and the need for Long-Term Care. 

Lisa Malak: Attorney Justin Randall is here from Hooper Law Office to help us through that process. Good morning, Justin.

Justin Randall: Good morning.

Millaine Wells: Justin, so what are some of the steps families can take that are facing dementia to make things more smooth for the whole group, but especially their loved ones?

Justin Randall: Yeah. So first and foremost, make sure you have discussions with your family members about their care needs, their care preferences. Also make sure that they have Powers of Attorney in place so that you as a loved one can step in for them both financially and health care decision wise to make those decisions when the time comes.

Lisa Malak: You were talking about four essential documents? What are those?

Justin Randall: So those are financial Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorney, a HIPAA authorization for health care information access, and then a Living Will, which is where you state your end of life wishes.

Millaine Wells: So what about after the diagnosis of dementia? Do we need to revisit our plans if we had maybe already made them?

Justin Randall: Yeah, it's always a good idea to look at these documents. Again, things change over the years, sometimes they may not have the authorities that you need, especially in the financial Power of Attorney to do certain planning. One thing that's really important too, is to try to plan for the cost of care in advance as well, if you're able to do so. So, looking into Long Term Care Insurance is one option for that.

Lisa Malak: Well, does a diagnosis of dementia typically affect that? Or even maybe the availability of care?

Justin Randall: Yeah, so it usually does increase the cost of care, memory care is generally more expensive. And then those facilities often have limited rooms available or limited beds available for that care.

Millaine Wells; What can be done in these situations? And I think you probably want to emphasize, it's never too late for families to get help and guidance.

Justin Randall: Yeah. So first and foremost, talk with, somebody who's an expert in Estate Planning or Elder Law, somebody who can, help that family plan around the cost of care, look into options for them, also talk with, care management organizations, look into what type of care might be best, which facilities might be best for that loved one.

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