Many people assume that Medicare and other programs cover all medical needs, but that is not the case. We encourage you to call the Alpharetta long-term care planning lawyers at the Teiger Law Center to discuss your possible future needs and what Medicare benefits will and will not cover. For many people, routine dental care is not included, nor is provision for long-term nursing home/assisted living care . Currently, the average cost for Georgia nursing homes is about $5,000 per month and forty-five percent of Georgians 65 years or older will need long-term care before they die. For adults with limited funds, being able to afford an extended stay in a nursing home or assisted living facility is not possible.
One way to avoid this pitfall is through long-term care planning in advance. A key component of any good plan will be the purchase of long-term care insurance. Concerned children of an aging parent can take a policy out for Mom or Dad, or they can purchase it for themselves.
Cumming Long-Term Care Attorney
Before you shrug your shoulders and ask why should you buy insurance when Medicaid benefits can just kick in, consider this: most facilities are required to carry a percentage of Medicaid beds. The demand is greater than the number of beds and as Medicaid pays less and less for a nursing home bed, nursing homes are cutting Medicaid beds to the minimum required, adding to the shortage. Additionally, most long-term care insurance policies allow for freedom of choice of nursing homes, which Medicaid may or may not do, depending upon availability.
Depending on family care may not be an option, either. Sadly, some children die before their aging parents, but even under the best of circumstances, today’s hectic lifestyle may not be a good fit for a parent who needs a slower pace. Not all children are cut out to be caregivers and sometimes the nursing skills needed are beyond them. Even then, some elderly residents prefer to live among those in their own age group.
Canton, GA Elder Law Attorney
Alpharetta long-term care planning attorneys at the Teiger Law Center open up dialog on these and other difficult topics as you plan for your future. Contact our elder law offices and we’ll set up a convenient time and location for you to have a consultation.
