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4 legal issues elder adults may experience

REAL Services is northern Indiana’s resource for people working to become independent or stay independent, at any age. Find a REAL Services office near you today.

By: REAL Services + Home Comfort Experts

As people age, we’re often reminded to plan for retirement and have a savings account, but that’s not the only thing we should be planning for.

There are many legal issues that seniors could face. In fact, there’s an entire section of law called “elder law” that deals specifically with legal issues for older adults.

Here are 4 common legal issues that elder adults may experience.

1. Government benefits like Social Security and Medicare

Navigating these systems can be difficult, and it’s possible that people could be missing out on benefits and programs that could help keep their costs to a minimum. An elder care attorney can provide guidance and create plans that can help a person or their family save a lot of money and stress in the long run.

2. End of life care plans

Health care coverage is one thing, but what about specific care plans? An elder care attorney can help outline clear instructions for various medical scenarios if a doctor decides that a person is no longer capable of making their own medical decisions. An attorney can also designate legal guardianship or medical powers of attorney to a specific person or set of people to ensure that medical wishes are kept.

3. Finding healthcare facilities

An elder law attorney can also help a person find a nursing facility, retirement community or other healthcare facility and set up payment. An attorney can also provide guidance and navigate legal recourse if there are any issues at the facility, including admitting, discharge policies and care quality.

4. Estate planning

A person doesn’t have to be wealthy to have an estate plan. Anyone who wants to leave something to a loved one, especially property or money, should consider an estate plan. Attorneys can help create a custom plan that doesn’t cause headaches or tax issues for loved ones to deal with. They can also designate a power of attorney for financial, legal and business issues.

Do you have questions about what to plan for as you or a loved one gets older? Get answers from local experts by calling REAL Services at 574-233-8205 or toll-free at 800-552-2916.

REAL Services is proudly supported by Home Comfort Experts. All In For Alzheimer’s.

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