It’s as old as the fable of the ant and the grasshopper. By now, most people know that planning for the future early can be a huge help later on in life. One way that individuals plan for future goals is through health care planning. California residents may choose to take certain steps toward end-of-life care now to ensure that needs are met further down the line.
Assigning a power of attorney can allow an aging or incapacitated person to have their affairs managed by a responsible party while they are not able to. A power of attorney can manage finances and access medical information for the individual. Some people choose to use a revocable trust to allow a successor trustee to handle affairs easily when necessary.
Health care directives allow the person to decide what means are approved in the event of serious or sudden illness. Other individuals may experience a more gradual decline and require more assistance in daily living activities as they age. Long-term care planning will help create opportunities for the person to choose what level of assistance is preferred.
Older people face tough choices when it comes to health care planning and management of their affairs. By laying the groundwork now, many difficult situations can be avoided later. Any California resident considering his or her long-term health care and financial needs may wish to consult with outside help. An experienced elder law attorney can go over the various options and help the individual sufficiently plan for anticipated needs and future goals.
Source: USA Today, “Health care planning: Older Americans face tough long-term care choices“, Robert Powell, March 2, 2018
