Navigating Caregiving: Four Types of Professionals Who Can Guide Families
Caring for a loved one can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences of our lives. Whether it’s a parent with dementia, a spouse recovering from a serious illness, or a child with special needs, the complexities of caregiving can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, there are professionals who can help navigate these complexities and support families on their caregiving journey. Seeking help from these professionals help maintain an elderly person’s well-being and long term care.
1. Geriatric Care Managers
Geriatric care managers, also known as aging life care professionals, are specialized practitioners dedicated to assisting older adults and their families in managing the complexities of aging. They do not deal directly with medical issues. Rather, they provide a holistic approach to care by assessing the needs of the individual and their family, coordinating services, and acting as advocates.
These professionals can help families:
Assess your parent’s needs
Create a comprehensive care plan that’s a roadmap for now and into the future
Connect with medical and community resources
Offer behavioral interventions for dementia and even coaching for families with dementia challenges
Assist with placement, moving, family conflict and caregiving oversight
Oversee home care plans
Navigate complex healthcare and legal systems
By utilizing the expertise of a geriatric care manager, families can reduce stress and ensure that their loved one receives personalized care tailored to their unique needs.
2. Elder Law Attorneys
When caregiving involves legal considerations - such as power of attorney, guardianship, or estate planning - an elder law attorney should be part of the support team. These legal professionals specialize in issues affecting older adults and can guide families through the often-complex legal landscape associated with aging.
Elder law attorneys can help families:
Create wills, trusts, and advance healthcare directives
Secure government benefits earlier than you might assume, preserving precious savings for other care needs
Draft powers of attorney and guardianship documents
Understand Medicaid and Medicare options
Review and advise about admission agreements for senior care facilities
Navigate disputes regarding care and financial responsibilities
Having one of Fiffik Law Group’s elder law attorneys on your side ensures that families can make informed decisions and secure the best possible future for their loved ones, providing peace of mind during a challenging time.
3. Certified Financial Planners (CFP)
Planning for caregiving involves immediate and future financial implications along with tax considerations and documentation. Wise investing with a certified financial planner helps you arrange for in-home care or retirement living, both of which are quite expensive. Even if you already have a financial advisor, consider getting a second opinion but one who does not work on commission only but advises and manages investments.
4. Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)
Managing someone’s daily spending, taxes or decisions about selling property can place a caregiver at significant risk. It’s not unusual for a family member unfamiliar with your loved ones’ finances to question your management of finances. Working with a competent CPA who has experience helping older adults and their families understand the tax consequences of bad or premature transactions on assets is very helpful. They can provide caregivers with guidance on the financial recordkeeping necessary to defend financial decisions if questioned. These professionals can protect you from being charged with exerting undue influence on your loved one, especially if you hold power of attorney for finances.
Caring for a loved one is a journey that no family should have to navigate alone. By reaching out to professionals such as geriatric care managers, elder law attorneys, certified financial planners and CPAs, families can create a robust support system tailored to their specific needs. Each professional offers unique insights and skills that can lighten the burden of caregiving, foster communication, and encourage holistic care.