Caregiving has become a common topic of conversation among adult children who are now taking care of their elderly loved ones. When someone has had a decline in cognitive or physical ability, the first reaction is often to leverage family members or friends to ensure that this person’s safety is not compromised while still allowing them a level of independence.

Unfortunately, however, the cost of caregiving can be extremely high. A recent study from Fidelity Investments found that 62% of caregivers report being overwhelmed with financial stress.

Of those who step back from their careers to focus on caregiving, the average time they spent out of the workforce was 20 months which could have a significant impact on their short-term finances and even their retirement plan. 53% of those same respondents also say that their caregiving period turned out to be longer than expected and nearly 40% of them earned less when they went back to work. The toll of caregiving can be significant on other aspects of your life but it’s still a choice that most people would make when wanting to take care of their loved ones.

When you need the support of an experienced estate planning lawyer to discuss your caregiving options and to put in place strategies that will help you qualify for Medicaid and make the most of a situation in which you might need advance care, you’ll rely on the support of a knowledgeable estate planning lawyer in MA to help you get there.

 

 


Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a qualified attorney.

Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP

About Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP

Tiffany A. O'Connell, JD, LLM, CELA, AEP is the CEO and Founding Partner of O'Connell Law, an estate planning and elder law firm serving clients across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. She is one of a select group of attorneys in Massachusetts certified by the National Elder Law Foundation as a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA). Tiffany focuses her practice on estate planning, trust and probate administration, Medicaid planning, long-term care planning, Alzheimer's planning, charitable planning, and retirement and wealth strategies. She has been helping families plan for their futures since opening her practice in 2010.

Credentials: JD, LLM, CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney — National Elder Law Foundation), AEP (Accredited Estate Planner)

Licensed in: Massachusetts

Areas of Practice: Estate Planning, Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Alzheimer's Planning, Asset Protection

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