Although you may not want to think about it, there could come a point when you must decide if it makes sense to move a loved one into a nursing home.
While this is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make, there are steps you can take and questions you can answer to clear the air and make things easier for all parties involved.
The primary challenge of moving a loved one into a nursing home is often the first step. This is when you make the final decision and begin your search for the perfect facility.
As you deal with this, you may find that there are many other questions moving to the forefront as well.
Here are some of the many questions to direct to your nursing home attorney:
- Does my loved one qualify for Medicaid? This is something to consider, as it is one of the better ways to pay for nursing home care. Like many, you may not have much knowledge of the Medicaid system. You need to learn as much as possible before deciding on this, as it could be the answer to many of your financial related questions.
- What are the other options for paying for nursing home care? While you may spend a good amount of time learning more about the Medicaid system, you don’t want to stop here. There are other ways to pay for this expense, including but not limited to Medicare, long term care insurance, and a reverse mortgage. There are pros and cons of every option, so it’s a good idea to learn more about each one.
- How much does it really cost? While this depends on a variety of factors, including the nursing home you choose, you need to get a better idea of exactly what it will cost each month for the appropriate level of care.
- Are the resident’s children responsible for paying for care? There is never a time when you should feel obligated to pay for your parent’s nursing home expenses. While you may want to help, remember this: you should never let the nursing home push you around. Many of them will ask you to sign an agreement stating that you will be responsible for any bills. You should be very careful about what you are signing, as you don’t want to put yourself in a bad spot.
- Is there a better option? If a loved one requires nursing home care, it’s never a good idea to opt against this unless you have another option that works just as well. For instance, you may want to consider home care for the time being. As long as the person is receiving the care he or she requires, the ability to stay in their home could be the best decision.
You may have already answered some of these questions. At the same time, you may have other questions on your mind. It’s important to address each and every one, as you never want to be in for a surprise.
You aren’t Alone
As you navigate the often murky waters of moving your loved one to a nursing home, it’s only natural to feel scared and alone.
At our law firm, we don’t want this feeling to drag you down. We want you to know that there is help to be had.
Our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys can guide you through the process, helping you to better understand how to find the right nursing home and the best way of paying for care.
It’s important that you take the right steps at the right time, as you don’t want to add any unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation.
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