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Life Care Planning

Life Care Planning

The Weeks Group uses the “Life Care Plan” to help meet your loved one’s medical, long-term care, legal and emotional needs during a period of long-term illness or incapacity. Our legal counsel and care coordinators work together to provide your family with comprehensive:

Legal Counsel

Includes estate planning; wills; trusts; powers of attorney; advanced directives; Medicaid planning; guardianships; and protection of the elder’s right to safe and effective care.

Care Coordination

Includes locating in-home help and services; coordinating health care and longterm care; family education; and decision-making support—for the rest of your loved one’s life.

Patient Advocacy

Includes crisis intervention to ensure you and your loved ones receive the highest quality care no matter the setting or circumstance.

Peace of Mind with your Life Care Plan

A Weeks Group Life Care Plan promises relief from worry and uncertainty as you and your family consider the difficult decisions associated with long-term care —all for an affordable flat fee.

Benefits for the Family
  • A Will
  • A Trust
  • Addressing Guardianship
  • Establishing eligibility for SSI and Medicaid
  • Becoming knowledgeable about necessary systems
  • Providing assistance as needed as a family goes through any of the above processes
Benefits for the Elder
  • The right care, sooner
  • Preservation of independence for as long as possible
  • The ability to age with dignity

Peace of mind—for you and your family—is the goal of every Weeks Group Life Care Plan.

Do You Need A Life Care Plan?

A Weeks Group Life Care Plan can help you manage long-term care decisions for your loved ones regardless of the circumstance. If any of the following scenarios seems familiar to you, you may benefit from a Life Care Plan.

  • The primary caregiver is suffering from burnout, ill health, frustration or guilt.
  • Family members are confused about what to do next or where to get help.
  • Your loved one was recently diagnosed with cancer, Alzheimer’s or other chronic condition
  • Your loved one has recently suffered a medication mistake, fall in the home or other accident
  • Your loved one was recently discovered your wandering, malnourished, dehydrated or unable to provide self care
  • Your loved one recently had a stroke, heart attack or other health emergency
  • Your loved one is currently hospitalized and you’ve been told that returning home is not an option

It’s More Than Money. It’s Your Comfort.

Life Care Planning is so much more than wills, trusts and Medicaid applications. The Weeks Group wants to make sure that your loved one is getting the care they need to live a happy, comfortable life. Contact us if you feel like you or your loved ones are in need of Life Care Planning.

FAQs

What Is A Durable Power of Attorney?

The durable power-of-attorney is one of the most powerful and important planning tools that an attorney can recommend to a client, not only for estate planning, but also for Medicaid and other public benefit planning. A durable power of attorney allows you to carry on your financial affairs in the event that you become disabled. Unless you have a properly drafted power of attorney, it may be necessary to apply to a court to have a guardian or conservator appointed to make decisions for you when you are disabled. There are two types of durable powers of attorney: a “present” durable power of attorney in which the power is immediately transferred to your attorney; and a “springing” or future durable power of attorney that only comes into effect upon your subsequent disability as determined by your doctor. When you appoint another individual to make financial decisions on your behalf, that individual is called an “attorney in fact”. Anyone can be designated, most commonly your spouse or domestic partner, a trusted family member, or friend.

Who Can Establish A Power of Attorney?

Power of attorney can be established by any legally competent person over the age of majority.

Who May Act as an Agent Under Power of Attorney?

An agent may be anyone who is legally competent and over the age of majority. Many people designate a family member such as a spouse, sibling or child, but any trusted friend or colleague could fill the role. If you see fit, you may appoint multiple agents to serve either simultaneously or separately. Appointing multiple agents can be problematic if, at any time, one of the agent is unavailable to act, decisions may be delayed. Disagreement between agents can also potentially disrupt progress. In most cases, it is recommended to designate one person as the primary agent and name additional persons to serve as alternate agents if your primary is unwilling or unable to fulfill their duties.

What is a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care?

Under law you are allowed to designate a family member or friend to make decisions about your medical treatment options if you are unable to decide for yourself. This can be done by assigning a “Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care” or Health Care Proxy. Your agent will then be allowed to dictate pre-defined health care decisions on your behalf. Your agent is responsible for making sure that doctors and caretakers honor your wishes and can decide how your instructions apply if your medical condition changes.

What is a Living Will?

A Living Will gives you control of decisions about your medical care when you have a terminal condition, are unconscious or too sick to communicate. It informs your caretakers of exactly what you want, so that you, and not others, choose how you are treated. It is the best way to make sure your wishes will be respected and maintained by health care providers. Almost all states have Living Will laws to protect a patient’s right to refuse medical treatment.

What is a HIPPA Authorization?

In certain circumstances, under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), medical providers can refuse to release information to those authorized by durable medical powers of attorney. A HIPAA Authorization Form guarantees proper access by authorizing the release of your medical information to your Agents, Trustees, or family.