Florida life planning services helps elderly

“Getting old is not for the faint of heart”. This quote is attributed to Mae West who lived to be 87 years old, a fairly old age for 1980, the year she passed. Since her death, new medications, new therapies, and better overall health care has some of my clients reaching 100 years old, and above. Aging can certainly have some challenges and as an elder law attorney, a big part of my job is helping my clients deal with those challenges. Some of the most frequent issues are:

Mental and physical challenges: I see many people who haven’t reached the age of Mae West yet already have physical or mental challenges that make life a struggle for them and for their families. Dementia tends to show up in families and can affect several generations. Other health issues such as diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, strokes, and issues with mobility create the need for assistance in the home when daily tasks become too hard or when clients need prompting to manage self-care.

Financial challenges: Many of my older clients are still paying off mortgages and some are still working. Some went back to work after realizing they might outlive their money or perhaps, they went through a health crisis, family emergency, or had unexpected costs such as home repairs. As the cost of living goes up, social security and pensions just can’t keep up. Unless clients have additional savings, investment accounts, rental income, or work part-time, some would be financially devastated if they are faced with paying for long term care, especially care in the home.

Adult children challenges: Adult children going through divorce, facing a medical crisis, or those with mental health issues can put a strain on the budget of a parent living on a fixed income. Many parents step up to help in times of need but in doing so rob themselves of funds they may need to cover their own medical care later.

Blended families/second, third marriage challenges: Many of my clients married in their later years and while they have estate plans in place, marriage creates additional challenges, especially when one spouse has significantly more asses than the other and Florida has strict rules protecting spousal rights at death, unless a pre or post nuptial is in place.

Putting together a life care plan can lay the foundation for future decisions that might arise and give clients and their families a better understanding of the options available for dealing with all of the above.

As an Florida elder law attorney, I can review assets, income, budget and help clients plan for the possibility of life altering events. With access to the right resources, the right support and having the family involved, we can create a safety net for aging parents and loved ones.