Caring for an elderly loved one is something that many of us may face in our lifetime. If you are needed to provide care for an elderly loved one, then you may find that it impacts your available time, resources and finances.

It is possible to continue working and keep your job as you care for an elderly loved one, in order to meet your financial and personal obligations. Hiring a qualified caregiver is an option that many people find to be extremely helpful. Here are some tips for ensuring that your caregiver has the resources that they need.

Plan in Advance

If decisions need to be made quickly, the best decision is often not made. If you know that an elderly loved one has health issues that may need to be addressed it is best to start planning earlier instead of later. Having a plan in place before care is required is always better than having to come up with a plan after the situation worsens.

Take time to figure out what kind of care will be needed and who is willing or able to provide that care. Write down all of the decisions and include them into your estate plan. That way when the time comes all of the decisions are made and important information is documented.

Provide for Caregivers with A Trust

While the laws about providing payments to a caregiver can be tricky, there are some legal constructs that exist to pay for caregivers. A trust is one of those. Money can be put aside into a trust to provide predefined payments to a specific person who is providing care. They can also be worded to cover any person or group that is providing care. A caregiver trust can be established as part of an estate plan or on its own, depending on the needs of the individual setting up the trust.

Consider A Caregiver Contract

As part of the advance planning stage you may want to include the idea of a caregiver contract. This is a legal document or set of documents that break down specific care responsibilities and specifies who agrees to take on those responsibilities. Having a legal document to spell out these details can help to alleviate future family stress and aggravation when things do take a turn for the worse.

Government Aid

There are several government programs that might be able to help provide for caregiver needs to cover costs and other expenses they might have. Two of the most common sources for this type of support come from Medicaid and Veterans Benefits. Both programs have provisions for care that is given at home or in a place that is not considered an “assisted living facility.” If you don’t know what programs you might qualify for, consult your elder law attorney for assistance.

Trust An Elder Law Attorney to Help

The best way to draw up legal documents, set up a trust or get advice on applying for government programs is through an experienced and professional elder law attorney.  Contact Stano Law group today for your consultation.