As we age, the prospect of requiring extensive care due to illness or disability looms large. How can you ensure that you or your loved ones will get the care that might be required if the need arises? The last thing you want is to find yourself or your loved one without the resources that are necessary to preserve quality of life.

If this concern is becoming all too real for you or a loved one, life care planning could be the solution you seek.

What is Life Care Planning?

Life Care Planning is a new approach to law that is elder-centered, ensuring that families are able to respond to challenges created by illness or disability in an elderly loved one.

A Life Care Plan will include at least one of the following:

  • Legal Services
  • Care Coordination
  • Client Advocacy
  • Medicare and Insurance Support

An interdisciplinary team will work together to identify any care needs, current or future, that might arise. From there, the team will create a plan that will ensure that appropriate care will be available as each need arises. This grants families peace of mind and gets elderly people the care they need as soon as they need it.

Your Life Care Planning Team will determine where the elder in question falls on the Elder Care Continuum and enact the appropriate plan at the appropriate time.

What Are the Benefits of Life Care Planning?

Appropriate Care is Ensured

The elder population is booming; according to the US Census Bureau, Americans aged 65 and older will number more than 70 million by 2030. This means that options for care will become increasingly competitive.

You won’t be forced to sift through the ever-increasing number of options— after all, a growing population of elders equals a business opportunity to some. If you have already determined your next steps, you won’t have to visit facilities or caregivers who are vying for your business when you or your loved one are at your most vulnerable.

Resources are Prepared

Many elders are eligible for public and private resources that can help pay for medical issues as well as long-term care; getting a handle on the available options before you need them will help you take any necessary steps that might be required for qualification.


Many elders are eligible for public and private resources that can help pay for medical issues as well as long-term care


For instance, a Medicaid trust requires a five year look-back period; if you prepare in advance, you won’t be required to spend down your assets to qualify for Medicaid.

Peace of Mind Assured 

If you prefer to have a plan in place that will ensure that your needs or the needs of your loved one are met immediately rather than relying on a crisis-mode approach, Life Care Planning is something you might want to explore. When you or your loved one knows that accommodations have been made, you can enjoy your life to the fullest, secure in the knowledge that your needs (or those of your loved ones) will be met when the time comes.

Is Life Care Planning Right For You?

Honestly, that’s a matter for you and your loved ones to determine. That said, it wouldn’t hurt to consult an elder care law expert who has experience with Life Care Planning.

Port Legal is fully versed in elder care— in fact, we’re a member of ElderCounsel, a group that specializes in elder care law. If you have questions about Life Care Planning, we would love to answer them. Click here to schedule a free consultation with an expert today.