By Susan Krupitzer
Director of Operations, Vista Springs
On a daily basis, we reach out for the assistance of professional services. We all know someone employed by one and as a young adult we possibly grow up dreaming to be an accountant, architect, engineer, financial planner or similar professional.
Rarely is long-term healthcare lumped into this category although it contains many elements and works closely with many of these professionals. Let’s say a loved one is diagnosed with a chronic illness, you will be surprised how many of these professional services will help you along the way to finding a long-term solution.
An annual physical, a routine check-up or an acute illness will generally guide someone to their general practice physician or a specialist who may diagnose this new change to one’s lifestyle where the shock of the situation may begin to grow.
A first step may be a visit to an accountant or financial planner to ask about how to pay for long-term care. Do I have enough savings? Will I have to liquidate everything I have saved? What are the tax implications?
Planning is also necessary for end-of-life issues. Do I have legal documents for Power of Attorney for healthcare, Durable Power of Attorney for finances and a Living Will? Has a trust been set up to protect loved ones?
A good starting point is a meeting with an elder law attorney who can sort through the legal details.
Another consideration is long-term care options. Will I need in-home care or a senior living community? Does my diet need to be tweaked and should I ask for a dietician’s guidance?
A trained therapist may necessary to teach new techniques for daily living activities, strength building and balance.
Architects and engineers play an important role in senior living environments. Hallways and doorways may need to be widened for wheelchair access. Flooring may need to be changed to prevent falls or confusion for dementia patients who struggle with depth perception.
Professional help also may be needed to dispense medication to residents in their own comfortable and familiar home environment.
I have dedicated my career to the field of healthcare whether as a patient or working within the fields of subsidized senior living, home health care, skilled rehabilitation, elder law and now assisted living. It is uncertain when an emergency will happen and those tough decisions will have to be made for us. Life doesn’t always wait until we have lived a full life to throw a wrench in our plans to take care of this “someday.”
Regardless of what professional services you need, begin your research early so a crisis doesn’t force you into making a quick – and possibly poorly considered – decision. Ask questions and tour facilities. Plan for your future while you have a voice so that your wishes are honored by those you put in place to carry them through. If you need guidance or recommendations of who I have worked with in the past, please reach out to me at Vista Springs. VistaSpringsLiving.com
