Kissimmee Nursing Home Planning Attorney
Moving a loved one into a nursing home is never an easy decision and one that many of our clients seek to delay as long as possible. However, there comes a time when a person simply must have around-the-clock critical care. Whether a person is suffering from dementia or another illness, moving to a nursing home makes the most sense for maintaining their dignity.
However, all of our clients benefit from careful nursing home planning. There are many nursing homes in Florida, and they are all incredibly expensive. Not only is choosing the right home complicated, but protecting assets and qualifying for Medicaid are also vital steps that require an experienced Kissimmee nursing home planning attorney.
Choosing the Right Facility
Long-term care facilities vary widely in terms of the type of care and services they provide. Not everyone who needs assistance should think about moving into a nursing home. Instead, other communal living options might make more sense, such as assisted living. Often, our clients come to us without having given any thought as to the different options available. We value our client’s independence and strive to get them into a living situation that allows them to flourish.
Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities also vary considerably in terms of safety, health, and effectiveness. Many of them have been implicated in scandals, including the deaths of residents following hurricanes and other natural disasters. Although the state regulates all long-term care facilities, enforcement is sometimes lax. Many dangerous facilities sadly remain in business. We always want our clients to choose a facility they feel confident with.
Paying for Care
A private room in a Kissimmee nursing home can cost over $100,000 a year. Few people have that kind of money lying around. And if they do, they want it to go to their children and grandchildren when they die, instead of to the nursing home.
Fortunately, many people qualify for aid from Medicaid or Veteran’s Affairs, which can make care affordable. Eligibility is very strict, however, and many people do not know if they qualify. Paperwork is also extensive and rife with landmines that people can step into. A Kissimmee nursing home planning attorney is a big help.
Protecting our clients’ assets is at the forefront of nursing home planning. For example, qualification for Medicaid depends on the amount of assets our client and their spouse have. It is possible to shield many assets so that they do not count against the applicant and result in a rejection of benefits.
However, proper planning is critical. Simply signing over assets to a child, though attractive, could result in a penalty that will delay vital government benefits. Many clients who try to do their own nursing home planning end up losing control of assets to the government.
Contact Our Kissimmee Nursing Home Planning Attorney Today
The Law Offices of Shea A. Fugate, P.A. is here for the Kissimmee community during this difficult time. We have extensive experience with nursing homes and are pleased to guide our clients through the tough choices ahead. Please contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.
