This is the question that we get regularly in our law firm and before having our Life Care Planning program and Client Care Advocate, Meg Motter, a licensed clinical social worker on board, my answer was always that it is not something that you can plan for.  I believed it to be a decision that was out of your hands.  As I have embraced the Life Care Planning model of assisting clients and their families, I’ve come to realize that those answers and beliefs were probably incorrect.  I’m learning through watching Meg’s work unfold that much can be done well in advance of crisis times to proactively plan for aging in place and avoid entering a skilled nursing facility for long-term care. 

Now, my answer would be to at least attend one of our monthly Life Care Planning Workshops, take advantage of the free one-on-one Life Care Planning vision meetings with Christine Oyler, and consider retaining the law firm for Meg’s services to assist you and your family in developing your very own Life Care Plan.  There are ways to pay for in-home care and set up other situations that would certainly provide a much better chance of staying out of the nursing facility.  Working closely with your Client Care Advocate through your one-year contract with Meg to determine your goals and wishes, research and secure services to assist you in remaining in the least restrictive setting of your choosing, and put those services in place is the answer.  Planning is a necessity to avoid the nursing facility and starting early ensures the greatest success.  Sure, we can help in the crisis, but starting your Life Care Planning journey before the crisis hits is all the better.

If you’d like to learn more about Life Care Planning and meet our Client Care Advocate, Meg Motter, LCSW, CDP consider attending one of our monthly Life Care Planning Workshops.  Please reach out to the office at 717-845-5390 for more information.