Knowledgeable Guidance For Caring For Elderly Family Members
When you or a loved one is advancing in age, it is important to hire an attorney who can help plan for the future, including ongoing healthcare and housing needs. At Akridge & Balch, P.C., we provide clients throughout East Alabama with valuable guidance in resolving elder law concerns.
Our knowledgeable attorneys will communicate clearly with you about what to expect. Contact us by calling 334-246-4697 to schedule a free initial consultation.
The requirements to receive Medicare and Medicaid funding can be confusing. To learn more about these programs and how they may impact your long-term care plan, contact our firm today to schedule a consultation with a lawyer experienced in elder law issues.
At Akridge & Balch, P.C., our firm is comprised of several knowledgeable and experienced lawyers and paralegals. We will provide you with valuable legal guidance regarding your elder law concerns and communicate directly with you throughout the duration of your case. Let us help you tackle the legal challenges of growing older.
Caring For Elderly Family Members
As seniors grow older, symptoms of physical and mental disability may arise. These disabilities often deprive people of the cognitive skills needed to make sound decisions and the physical abilities to care for themselves on a daily basis. Elder law clients frequently turn to their families to provide the day-to-day assistance they no longer can provide for themselves. A skilled elder law attorney at Akridge & Balch, P.C. in Auburn, Alabama, can offer the support you need to cope with these growing needs.
The Impact Of Caring For Family Members
While some older adults require nursing home care or must move to an assisted living facility, the Administration on Aging notes that family members, including spouses, children, other relatives and friends, provide informal but invaluable care to the many elderly Americans who remain in their homes. Because of geographic separation, the degree of impairment and other factors, informal caregivers face many challenges while providing care to their loved ones, including maintaining their own well-being.
Whether an elderly loved one comes to live with you or continues to live alone but needs close supervision, the challenge of balancing your various roles can be overwhelming. Many elders require near-constant supervision and assistance, including being accompanied on trips to the doctor or grocery store, the need for financial management, and assistance with personal care. While you may want to be the sole caretaker for your loved one, the attention they need may result in physical exhaustion, mental stress, friction among family members (when one feels that others are not contributing to the loved one’s care), and workplace complications. You and your family members need to address these issues early on to ensure your loved one receives the proper care.
Leave Of Absence From Work
If you are employed full-time while trying to provide care for a loved one, you may want to consider taking a leave of absence until you can adjust to your new role. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employers with 50 or more employees are required to grant unpaid leaves of absence to employees who need to care for sick family members. This leave of absence may give you the time you need to provide temporary care, make necessary arrangements for more permanent care, and allow you to become comfortable with the demands of being a caregiver.
Other Care Options
In some cases, it is best for the family and the loved one to seek professional help to make sure the loved one is receiving ample medical care and attention. While people generally think of nursing homes as the only option, there are other facilities that should be considered, depending on the degree of care needed. The types of facilities and the services that are available vary by state, but may include:
- Residential care facilities — for those capable of living independently but needing assistance with medication and other medical needs. Also known as independent care facilities and assisted living.
- Home care — such as a visiting or live-in nurse who provides care in the person’s own residence.
- Congregate living health facilities — small living facilities made to feel as close to home as possible with 24-hour care and assistance.
- Continuing care retirement communities — for those who can live independently and those who require round-the-clock care.
- Adult day health care — facility for those with multiple, chronic health conditions who visit the facility for a set number of hours each day.
Speak To An Elder Law Attorney
Most people want to take care of their aging family members or feel an obligation to do so. The hardships of taking on this type of caregiver role can be extensive, but there are support groups and other options to help make the transition easier. For more information on your options for caring for an aging loved one, contact Akridge & Balch, P.C. in Auburn, Alabama. An experienced elder law attorney can review your family’s situation and help you find the best fit for your case.
Contact us at 334-246-4697 to discuss your elder law concerns in a free initial consultation at our office in Auburn, Alabama. We are open on Monday-Thursday 8-5 (closed 12-1 for lunch) and Friday: 8-12. We offer a variety of fee arrangements and accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.