Over my 22 years practicing as an elder law attorney in the Boston area, this is the most heartbreaking time that I have ever witnessed my clients go through. It has always been difficult for my clients to move a spouse, parent, or loved one into a nursing home. Covid has made this difficult decision almost unbearable, as many nursing homes have strict visitation policies and some won’t allow any visitors. Many are worried that their loved one will get sick with Covid if they go into a nursing home.
Most of my clients are trying to keep loved ones at home and provide the care they need. Even though they have the best of intentions, it is not always possible to provide the amount of care needed on their own. If you are trying to keep your loved one at home, it is a good idea to check with our office so that we can help you determine whether there is any chance that your loved one could qualify for MassHealth benefits to help pay for homecare. Many clients who thought that they would never be able to qualify for this program are surprised to find out that with proper planning, it is possible to qualify. For clients that don’t meet the requirements for MassHealth benefits for home care, we can often put together a plan to protect assets in the even that nursing home care is needed down the road.
For those without a family to care for them, it is more important than ever to have a plan in place for a time when you may need more care and assistance from others. Making sure that you have a basic estate plan in place is critical to ensure that your wishes will be honored.
My heart goes out to all of those faced with difficult decisions during this time. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. When life is uncertain, it helps to have a plan in place to help you deal with the difficult decisions you are faced with. We are here to help you.