Deciding to place your parents in elder care can be a difficult decision, but it’s often the best way to protect their safety and ensure they get the help they need. During this time, your aging parents may have unique legal needs, from estate planning to deciding who will be their proxy if necessary in making medical decisions. These tips will help you prepare your parents for the transition.

Legal Preparations for Parents Entering Elder Care

Planning the Estate

A will ensures your parents’ wishes will be respected after they’re gone and helps preclude family arguments over assets or heirlooms. Families with complex investments may want to set up a trust instead, which gives your parents more control over how their assets are distributed and allows the estate to bypass the probate process. Sewing up these issues before entering a care facility will provide peace of mind for the entire family.

Making Medical Decisions

No one wants to dwell on what might happen if they should become unable to communicate. However, planning for this situation is crucial if your parents suffer from health issues common among the elderly. A living will empowers them to make decisions now about their end-of-life care preferences, including giving or withholding consent for certain medical procedures. Help them prepare a medical power of attorney as well, which grants someone they trust the legal authority to make health care decisions if for any reason they can’t.
 

With an in-depth background in elder care law, Louis C. Noto has the expertise to ensure your parents’ legal needs are met. He’s dedicated his career to providing exemplary service to residents of Rochester, NY, earning a reputation as an attorney who advocates for the well-being of his clients above all else. Visit his website for a closer look at his estate planning and other elder care services, or call (585) 232-1815 to schedule a consultation.