Preparing for the future can be daunting, particularly when it comes to the safety and protection of your loved ones. Unfortunately, unexpected circumstances can, and frequently do, arise. Your loved one’s diagnosis of a chronic condition, for example, may be an unanticipated life event that you find yourself unprepared for. One of the most effective ways to plan for your loved one’s future care is to be proactive and plan ahead. To help ease your mind about the planning process,
let us share with you a few tips to consider when planning for a loved one with a chronic condition.
First, if your loved one recently received a diagnosis for a chronic condition, it is important to approach the topic of planning sensitively. This will undoubtedly be an overwhelming and confusing time for all involved. By maintaining frequent and open communication with your loved one, he or she may feel more comfortable sharing details about new challenges that arise, as well as his or her goals for his or her estate plan and future care.
Next, we encourage you to review your loved one’s current estate plan together. He or she may already have protections in place for handling a chronic condition diagnosis. This also provides you both an opportunity to identify where more planning is needed to help your loved one navigate the additional challenges the condition may impose. Importantly, check your loved one’s health care coverage, review your loved one’s insurance, and determine whether he or she has a durable power of attorney in place.
Above all, it is important to understand that you and your loved one do not have to plan for future care alone. Do not hesitate to discuss your loved one’s specific needs with an experienced, local estate planning and elder law attorney.
He or she can advise and guide you as to the steps you should be taking to plan for your loved one with a chronic condition, and ensure your loved one has ample protections in place.
We know this article may raise more questions than it answers for you when it comes to helping your Florida Senior. Do not hesitate to contact our office to schedule a meeting to have your questions answered. We are your local community elder law firm here to help you in the Jacksonville area.