July is National Sandwich Generation Month: GeorgiaFamilyLaw Offers 4 Ways to Help Aging Parents Plan for Long-Term Care

Atlanta, GA, June 24, 2012 --(PR.com)-- July is National Sandwich Generation Month, an observance honoring a generation of people sandwiched between caring for their young children and aging parents at the same time.

Approximately 1 in 8 Americans between ages 40-60 face the daily challenges of being a ‘Sandwich Generation Kid’. Common struggles include having to pay for mom or dad’s long-term care while supporting their own family, protecting their parent’s assets and cleaning up financial or legal messes in the absence of proper planning.

“As our parents get older and begin to lose their independence, many will turn to their adult children to help them navigate the complicated and costly world of long-term care,” says local elder law attorney Worrall. “Sadly, it’s at this point most adult children find that the benefits and resources their family may have been able to take advantage of are now limited…or even gone, because they waited too long to plan,” he adds.

That’s why Worrall encourages adult children sit down with their parents and create a long-term care plan while they are still in good health and able to communicate their wishes. He recommends the following steps:

1. Determine How You’ll Pay For Long-Term Care- Nursing home and assisted living facilities can cost up to $8,000 a month and Medicare will not pick up the tab. In-home care can be equally burdensome for the average family. Medicaid may pay, but there are strict asset and income levels to qualify. The only other option is pay out of pocket—unless you plan ahead. By acting in advance and not waiting until your hands are tied in a crisis, tools such as long-term care insurance, trusts and annuities may be available to help your parents pay for their care without losing everything they’ve worked so hard for.

2. Get The Legal Authority Now To Manage Their Affairs and Maintain Control- If your parents do not have a powers of attorney or health care directives that allow you to communicate with doctors, access medical records and manage their financial affairs, it’s a good idea to create them now while mom or dad is still in good health. Otherwise, if a sudden medical crisis strikes or your parents no longer have mental capacity to sign legal documents down the road, you’ll be forced into court for control.

3. Document Their End-of-Life Wishes- Thousands of families each year are torn apart trying to decide what their loved one “would have wanted” in serious medical situations. Avoid the stress and conflict by asking your parents their wishes about things such as life support, feeding tubes, organ donation, etc. and legally document their choices to ensure everyone is on the same page.

4. Get Organized To Avoid Last Minute Scrambling- Gather your parent’s important information now to avoid any confusion and delays in the event of a medical emergency. Important documents to collect include insurance information, front and back of all ID cards including drivers license, prescription cards and military ID cards, prior medical history, names and numbers of doctors, copies of their living will, health care directives and a list of current medication and doses.

“By being proactive and planning for these issues in advance, you can help ensure that your parents always receive the care they need without worry or financial struggle. You’ll further avoid many costly legal headaches that adult children face when they are not prepared for their parent’s incapacity or ongoing care needs,” says Worrall.

For more information about National Sandwich Generation Month, please visit www.sandwichgenerationmonth.com/. To interview attorney Steve Worrall, please visit GeorgiaFamilyLaw.com or call 770.425.6060. For a copy of his Guide, “Surviving the ‘Sandwiched’ Years: How to Protect Your Parent’s Assets, Honor Their Wishes & Provide Long-Term Care . . . Without Losing Money – Or Your Mind!”, please visit www.GeorgiaSandwichGeneration.com.