We are often asked why estate planning documents, like a healthcare power of attorney and advance healthcare directive, are needed for in-home care. The questions we hear:
- What estate planning documents do I need if my loved one needs in-home care in Florida?
- How does a healthcare power of attorney work for in-home caregivers in Florida?
- Why is an advance healthcare directive important when choosing in-home care in Florida?
- Who can create estate planning documents for my loved one in Florida?
- How can we plan to pay for long-term care or in-home care in Florida?
Let’s start with the documents:
1. What are the estate planning documents we need for in-home care in Florida?
Healthcare power of attorney. A healthcare power of attorney is an official legal document that lists the person or people that you authorize to make medical decisions for you if you can’t make those decisions yourself. This might be a time when you’re under sedation, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated. A healthcare power of attorney grants broad powers, including what medical professionals you’ll see and whether palliative care is authorized.
It’s recommended that you have an open and candid discussion with the person you choose to make these decisions for you, so that you feel confident they will follow your wishes.
Advance healthcare directive. An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that lists the medical care you want to receive if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. This typically includes a living will, a document where you state what medical treatment you do and don’t want to receive, particularly regarding end-of-life medical care. Some examples are whether or not you’d want to be resuscitated, use a feeding tube, or be put on a ventilator.
These documents make your wishes clear, in writing, to your in-home care provider, your loved ones, and medical professionals about the type of care you want to receive. The two documents give you more control over your own treatment, even when you can’t speak for yourself.
At Atlantic In-Home Care, we can keep a copy of these documents on file so that they are accessible to medical professionals or your emergency contacts, if need be.
2. Who can create the estate planning documents needed for in-home care?
There are many different ways to create these documents. A reputable Florida elder law or estate planning firm is one place to start. Some of our clients have worked with The Estate, Trust & Elder Law Firm. You might choose to tackle this on your own, using a resource like CaringInfo to step you through the process. If you’re a military veteran, you may qualify for estate planning help through the Department of Veterans Affairs. .
3. How can we plan to pay for long-term or in-home care in Florida?
There are many different ways to pay for in-home care in Florida. We’ve written about this on our blog:
- What insurance covers in-home care?
- How will the OBBBA affect my Florida Medicaid benefits for in-home care?
A reputable elder law firm can help with planning. Some of our clients have worked with The Estate, Trust & Elder Law Firm on Medicaid planning in Florida, too.
If you have questions, contact us at (772) 773-6994. We answer our phones 24/7. Not a phone person? We understand. You can always contact us through the Atlantic In-Home Care online contact form.
