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Minnesota Elder Law | 4 Clear Signs Your Senior Loved One
is Ready for Assisted Living

Perhaps you’ve noticed that your senior loved one seems unhappy at home. Maybe it’s not easy for them to safely maneuver around their home anymore, or maybe they’ve lost some of their neighbors and feel isolated within their community.

Wondering whether your loved one would be more comfortable in an assisted living facility? It’s good to be on the lookout for clear signs. If you notice any of these changes, it’s time to bring up the topic with your loved one.

Struggling With Mental Health

Seniors who feel lonely and isolated are more susceptible to depression and anxiety, so it’s important to keep an eye out for these symptoms. According to Psych Central, common symptoms of depression include loss of interest in beloved hobbies, fatigue, and appetite loss. If your loved one often expresses feeling worried or stressed, they may feel anxious living at home.

Yes, video chatting with your loved one more often can help, but at an assisted living center, they can enjoy more social interaction, opportunities to make new friends, and a genuine sense of community.

Too Much Space at Home

If your loved one’s children have moved out, their house might just be too big for them. It can be difficult for seniors to adequately clean every room of a large family home, and if you notice that clutter is starting to pile up, downsizing could be a smart choice.

According to Fool, downsizing is a great strategy for Minnesota seniors who can no longer handle the costs of maintenance and repair for large homes. In an assisted living facility, seniors can enjoy the use of their own private living spaces or spacious shared apartments, and they will not have to handle all of the upkeep on their own.

According to Fool, downsizing is a great strategy for seniors who can no longer handle the costs of maintenance and repair for large homes. In an assisted living facility, seniors can enjoy the use of their own private living spaces or spacious shared apartments, and they will not have to handle all of the upkeep on their own.

Injury Risks

Seniors with limited mobility may find that as the years go on, it becomes harder and harder for them to navigate their own homes. For example, a senior trying to use a mobility aid in a home with a carpeted floor risks serious injury. Attempting to take a shower in a bathroom without grab bars can become dangerous. And in a two-story home, simply trying to walk up the stairs could result in a fall.

While some seniors choose to hire contractors to modify their homes, a few modifications might not be sufficient enough for others. In these cases, a move to an assisted living facility is often the superior choice. Apartments or private rooms at these facilities are specifically designed to be accessible for seniors.

Needs Higher Level of Care

Even if your loved one does not have a chronic medical condition, they might need more help than you can realistically provide, like someone to drive them around for errands or a caregiver to cook their meals. While paying for senior services can help, it might not be enough. Plus, this can become significantly expensive.

If this is the case, staying in an assisted living facility would be far better for their safety and well-being. Take a gentle approach to this sensitive conversation – it can be difficult for seniors who enjoy their independence to accept that it’s time to relocate. Explain the benefits of assisted living, and ensure that your loved one understands that the decision of which facility to move to is ultimately theirs to make.

While some seniors spend their golden years at home, others find that moving to an assisted living facility comes with plenty of perks. If you have noticed any of these telltale signs that your loved one may not feel entirely safe or happy in their own home, it might be time for them to consider assisted living. Your loved one choosing to settle down at an assisted living facility can bring you both peace of mind.

Minnesota Assisted Living Attorneys

Contact the attorneys at Flanders Law Firm LLC to speak with a qualified elder law and Minnesota assisted living attorney. The firm’s attorneys have years of experience working in the field of elder law and elder care. A qualified, experienced attorney can be invaluable.

Call today at 612-424-0398.

Additional Resources

Combating the Epidemic of Loneliness in Seniors

Hidden Dangers of Hoarding to Seniors

Home Modifications For the Elderly

How to Determine Whether Your Loved One Should Retire From Driving

How to Pay for Nursing Home Care

Contact the Flanders Law Office for Matters Regarding Probate, Wills, and Trusts

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Protecting Your Money from Nursing Home Costs

No, this article isn’t asking if you’re ready to live in a nursing or want to. Rather, the focus is that by using trust law and some other techniques, you can find some ways to safeguard what you’ve obtained. Being in a nursing home may still cost you. That said, here are a handful of precautionary steps that you and your relations should consider taking.

Don’t be deceived. Living in a nursing home doesn’t automatically equal the death of your finances. Perusing Medicaid for your coverage is a hypothetical possibility.

Estate planning is, for the most part, about playing your assets right and knowing how to implement trusts and wills to your advantage. There’s far more to this process than simply throwing all your assets inside a will and hoping everyone inherits something worthwhile.

Budget for Tomorrow | Minnesota Estate Planning

Money is the main factor here. Though you may qualify for Medicaid to cover the cost of living at a nursing home, it’s still wise to properly budget. It would also be wise to understand if and for how long Medicaid will cover you.

If you do anything, do your research on what living at a nursing home all involves for you under and without Medicaid. Protect your assets by finding out what this is going to cost.

Though they may not show it, your loved ones may be highly concerned about your wellbeing. Kids, spouses, and close family members might all be worried about what’s going to happen next. Living your fullest life may mean that you live out the rest of your days inside of a nursing home.

While that may not sound ideal, it would be best for you and your family to come to terms with reality. Be honest and open about what options are available. By budgeting, everyone can get a better idea of what possibilities remain.

The Generosity Route | MN Wills and Trusts

Most grandparents probably know the joys that arise from spoiling their grandkids. And that same feeling may come from being generous towards others. So, if you’re looking for a way to make sure that your assets are passed down, look into all of the ways that you can gift the assets that you want someone to have.

Gift is the key word. Once you’re sure that you won’t need something, whether now or when you’re in a nursing home, gifting may be the best route to take.

There are lots of physical objects that can be gifted without much concern. The household items that are strewn across your home are just one such example. Your house itself might be able to be gifted to someone else.

You must be aware of tax ramifications, however, and how that might affect Medicaid for you, and should pay off your debts before you gift a single penny. Paying off a loved one’s debt during probate is no fun.

Castle Trust

Trusts are more than for providing funds for your pets. A castle trust can be used to add extra protection to your present assets, keeping them safe for younger generations. As a word of caution, castle trusts fall into the irrevocable trust category, making it so that any assets wrapped in these trusts are basically untouchable to you. There’s very little chance that you can change your mind once they’re sealed inside any irrevocable trust.

Creditors and lawsuits hate castle trusts in particular, as the assets inside these trusts can’t be used to satisfy their demands. Collecting on these trusts whether because of a car accident or because funds should be taken from you is not an option. This level of security extends to your children who inherit the trust. A castle trust could also be set up to help supplement your income and enable you to receive Medicaid if properly set up.

Five Year Look Back Period

If you plan on making any serious financial decisions and getting Medicaid, five years is the time frame you need to have in mind. Of course, give yourself extra time to budget. Those who control Medicaid are well aware that you can deplete yourself of assets by simply giving things away. That said, they’re probably going to research what kind of gifts you gave. Big gifts are the ones they’re looking for. Houses, like the ones mentioned previously, are one such example.

You must be wise when you pass on such assets. Fully realize the ramification of any gifts you give. Otherwise, you may incur a penalty from Medicaid. Sure, you may want your offspring to get the home, and they may have family that can better utilize it. Nevertheless, purpose isn’t the question here. Money is the major concern. Making yourself poorer than you were may result in bad news for you. Don’t throw away large assets for your own sake unless you’re sure nothing negative will come of it.

Minnesota Estate Planning Lawyers

Working on your estate planning by yourself is rarely recommended. Getting more people involved is a wise choice. Those who will be there to walk you through your days in the nursing home should be aware of what you’re doing. A trust lawyer should be amongst the first that you contact, provided that you want that extra level of assurance. What’s to be done about your assets once you’re gone is a huge question for your family to answer. Seeking out legal advice may allow you to better calm their fears.

For clarity and assistance with this process, you should consult the law firm of Flanders Law Firm LLC at 612-424-0398.