Elder law attorneys may specialize in estate planning, incapacity planning, and end-of-life care for seniors. They also help older adults remain in their homes as they age and protect them from abuse. These practitioners are essential because they work to protect a vulnerable population. To plan for their future and their care, seniors and their families should consider hiring an elder law attorney. Please see Part 1 of this article here.

How Can an Elder Law Attorney Help My Aging Loved One?

Having a plan for your aging loved one’s care can relieve anxiety for you and the senior. Elder law attorneys can help their clients by providing some of the following
services:

Create a Plan for Incapacity
A related piece of the puzzle is incapacity planning. This could mean having an elder law attorney advise you on documenting your wishes for care at the end of your life, in the wake of a disability, or after a diagnosis of dementia. For instance, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older suffer with Alzheimer’s disease. As the senior population increases across the United States, the number of seniors with memory care needs will likewise increase.

People with memory issues may reach a stage when they can no longer care for themselves. It is essential to have a plan in place for when a senior is incapacitated. An elder law attorney can assist seniors and their families as they try and protect the senior’s financial and physical well-being as their condition progresses.

Guardianship
Elder law attorneys help family members and older adults with guardianship. This may include a situation in which an older adult has dementia or another condition affecting decision-making. In such a case, an elder law attorney can help a concerned family member obtain guardianship. This includes securing a physician’s report, petitioning the court, and attending a hearing.

An older adult might sometimes dispute guardianship, asserting continued decision-making capacity and wishing to maintain autonomy. Elder law attorneys representing older adults can present evidence to the court regarding their clients’ capacity to handle their own affairs.

The attorney may also help support an older adult’s autonomy by recommending less restrictive alternatives to guardianship. These alternative options include limited guardianship and supported decision-making. Supported decision-making provides aid while preserving individuals’ rights.

Combating Elder Abuse and Exploitation
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified elder abuse as a public health problem. Elders experience physical, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as confinement and neglect, per the National Council on Aging. According to the WHO, one in six adults 60 and older experience abuse in community settings. High abuse rates have been reported within nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Within the past year alone, two out of three staff members reported incidents of abuse. The National Council on Aging reports that elder financial abuse results in $2.6 billion to $36.5 billion in costs to older adults annually.

Seniors who are victims of elder abuse, whether at the hands of a family member or in a long-term care facility, are protected by the law. Elder law attorneys know the rights of nursing home residents and seniors under guardianship, are familiar with the tools that can protect you and your assets, and can help you connect with other advocates.

In addition to taking legal action against abusers, elder law attorneys can help their clients safeguard themselves against abuse. For instance, an attorney might recommend using a transfer-on-death deed to pass down a home rather than making a family member a joint tenant. Using this instrument allows a person to maintain full ownership of their home, protecting themselves from financial abuse.

An attorney can also help a client prepare advanced directives and appoint a trusted loved one as a health care representative. Creating advance directives reduces the risk that a court will appoint a guardian over the individual if they get sick, which would restrict the individual’s rights.

What to Look for in Elder Law Attorneys

It is vital to know what to look for when you are hiring an elder law attorney. You want to have the best partner helping you protect yourself or your loved one. Here
are some tips when looking for an elder law attorney:

• Interview multiple attorneys.
• Ask each attorney you meet with about their experience in the area.
• Get a referral from a friend or search for a qualified elder law attorney in your area.

Keeping your elderly loved ones safe is essential to supporting their care and protecting their legacy. Hiring an elder law attorney you trust can help you accomplish this and keep your parents, grandparents, or other aging relatives protected.