To Do List: 10 Important Steps to Senior Services
1. Identify The Need For Senior Care
The first step in the process is recognizing that you or someone you love might not have a ability to fully take care of themselves anymore. If you recognize that someone you know is not able to maintain the quality of life that they are used to, it’s time to consider some senior service options.
2. Decide On A Budget
You need to know what your budget it. How much money do you or your loved one have to spend on the services you need? After you have your budget, you can narrow down your options to those services that are in your price range.
3. Talk to Your Family
Everyone is bound to have their own opinion about if and what senior services are needed. Getting people on board early can save you a lot of headache later on. Nothing is worse that an elderly person who has Alzheimer’s disease hearing ten different ideas about what they need to do for themselves. Keeping order throughout the process will make things run a whole lot more smoothly.
4. Check on State and Federal Programs
If you need help paying for care, you should look into the state and federal programs in your state. Medicaid pays for low income seniors who need long term care and a loved one who served in the armed services may be able to get V.A. benefits as well.
5. Get Your Documents
If you haven’t already, it’s time to become power of attorney for your loved one. Seniors who need care are less than mobile and it will be a whole lot easier on you if you can just take care of things yourself. Talking to a family attorney and getting your ducks in a row will save you trouble later.
6. Estate Planning
If your loved one has assets that need to be managed, you can put a plan in place for that as well. Setting up wills and trusts if needed can protect your assets in many situations and can even help you qualify for government benefits.
7. Look At the Service Options
Finding care is never easy, but you have to start somewhat. Start taking tours of communities or interview caregiving agencies if you are going the in-home care route. Make sure to find your states reporting data on the quality of care so that you know you are getting a reliable service.
8. Finalize Your Plans
After benefits, budget, legal, estate planning, and senior service options are chosen, you are ready. You’ve done everything that you need to do to begin receiving senior services without any problems cropping up.
9. Enjoy
Senior services can be a great help, and if you’ve done everything right, there is no reason that they shouldn’t be. We hope that you or your loved one has the care that they need and that care is coming at an affordable price.
10. Things Change
Keep in mind that things can change at any time. If you’ve set things up right this will happen less and will be easier to fix, but some frustration is unavoidable. However, just remember why you are doing this and that these irritations are a passing thing.
