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One of the most challenging parts of adulthood is caring for your aging parents. Along with the emotional strain of watching them age, you must also consider the legal implications of aging and the cost of their care. Here are three steps you can take to make long-term care and planning easier.

Determine Your Parents’ Needs

Without knowing what kind of care your parents need, it’s impossible to develop a long-term care strategy. The best way to determine your parents’ care needs is to examine several key aspects of their lives, such as:

• Mobility
• Hygiene
• Mental Health
• Household Chores
• Medical Conditions
• Financial Concerns

As you examine each aspect, consider which areas are under control and which areas will require more attention in the future. Anticipating these problem areas early makes long-term care that much easier, and it’s the first step you should take when making such plans.

Actively Include Your Parents in the Process

After you have an idea for the type of care your parents need, sit down and discuss their needs with them. Losing your independence is a difficult and humbling process, and nobody wants someone else to take control of their life. Including your parents in every step of the process allows them to preserve as much dignity as possible, and it also helps you get a better idea of their needs.

Involve yourself as needed; don’t force big changes right off the bat—focus on making smaller, less significant changes and gradually involving yourself more as their situation evolves. This way, they’re more comfortable with you making the larger decisions further down the road.

Seek Professional Help for Long-Term Care & Planning

After sitting down with your parents, it’s time to make arrangements for their care. One of the biggest challenges at this stage is getting the financial and legal aspects of long-term care in order. Here are a few things you’ll need to consider when making plans for long-term care:

• Estate Planning
• Special Need Trusts
• Last Will and Testament
• Healthcare Surrogates
• Power of Attorney
• Medicaid Planning
• Veterans Benefits

If you’re struggling with the legal or financial aspect of long-term care and planning in Seminole, Florida, Rooth & Rooth Elder Law Attorneys has the knowledge and experience to help take that weight off your shoulders. To learn more about what we can do for you and your aging parents, review our comprehensive elder law services or call us at 727-397-4768 today.