Fouts Law Group, LLC provides help to individuals and families who have received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. An Alzheimer’s diagnosis is frightening because it brings with it uncertainty and the fear of losing control. The good news is, you can still take charge of your future if you or someone you love has Alzheimer’s. We can help.
There are many steps that patients and families can and should take as soon as possible after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Taking the right steps now can save a lot of heartache later. Fouts Law Group, LLC can help you to determine what you should do next after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and can help at all phases of coping with Alzheimer’s.
If you are a patient, caregiver, or family member, give us a call at (678) 242-8344 today to speak with a member of our legal team to find out more about personalized Alzheimer’s planning services we can offer. You can also get answers to questions that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis raises including:
- How Can I plan for medical and nursing care after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis?
- What steps should I take after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis?
- How Can an Alzheimer’s planning lawyer help me?
How Can You Plan for Medical and Nursing Care of Alzheimer’s Patients?
One of the most important issues that arises is the care of Alzheimer’s patients, as many become unable to live by themselves. Medicare and private insurance typically do not pay anything for the type of nursing home care needed by Alzheimer’s patients. Alzheimer’s patients do not need skilled medical interventions in nursing homes, which are covered in certain cases by Medicare and insurers. Instead, they need custodial care which must either be paid for out-of-pocket or which may be paid for by Medicaid for those who qualify.
Planning ahead to get Medicaid coverage for nursing home care can allow Alzheimer’s patients to protect their wealth. While owning assets can be disqualifying for Medicaid, you can structure ownership of much of your property so you do not have to spend down personal wealth before Medicaid pays for care. This must be done at least five years in advance of the time when nursing home care is needed in order to provide the maximum protection for assets. However, even if you suspect nursing care will be needed sooner, you can often still shield some assets from being lost.
You can also consider VA benefits and other sources of coverage for nursing home care upon a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, and you can explore home care options. Decisions should be made as soon as possible after a diagnosis regarding both how nursing home care will be paid for and regarding what nursing home living environment is appropriate.
When these decisions are made in advance, the Alzheimer’s patient is able to have input into where he or she will be cared for and how costs will be covered.
What Steps Should You Take After an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis?
In addition to making a plan for nursing care, there are other steps which can be taken following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Often, the diagnosed patient is still of sound mind and has time to get his or her affairs in order. This can include:
- Creating a power of attorney in order to decide who will make decisions on your behalf once the Alzheimer’s progresses and you cannot act on your own accord.
- Creating a legacy plan so you can determine what will happen to your property and wealth after you have passed away.
- Making advanced decisions on what kinds of extraordinary measures you wish to be used in case of a medical emergency when you are no longer able to communicate your own preferences on care.
These are just a few of many different steps which may need to be taken. The process of coping with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is different for every person, and an experienced attorney can help you to determine what issues are raised by your diagnosis and what legal tools you can use to best address those issues.
How Can an Alzheimer’s Planning Lawyer Help You?
An Alzheimer’s planning lawyer can provide you with comprehensive advice on all aspects of responding to a diagnosis that can be devastating. We want to help you and your family take as much control as possible over your future, even in the case of medical uncertainty. To find out more about how an Atlanta Alzheimer’s planning lawyer can assist you, give us a call at (678) 242-8344 or contact Fouts Law Group, LLC online today to find out more about how we can help you.
