Medicaid planning can be confusing for seniors especially if they are just getting ready to apply. Some seniors may even try to push it off until they really need it, but the truth is you should be planning for your health and long-term care before you ever need it. Most people think that planning this before retirement can be silly, but having your ducks in a row beforehand can help Medicaid planning go a lot smoother and quicker. The more you plan for your future the less stress you will have as a senior in retirement. You will need to start by setting up a healthcare directive, here are some things you need to know.
What is a Healthcare Directive
Before you even start Medicaid planning, you need to think about healthcare directives. In simple words, this is a document that shares your exact wishes when it comes to healthcare planning. It is a legal document that people will have to abide by, that states your instructions, your wishes, and how and who can make decisions based on your health. Healthcare directives are so important for several reasons:
They Provide Clarity
Whether you are Medicaid planning or already have Medicaid in your pocket, having a health directive is still crucial for aging as well as possible during the end of life. They provide doctors, caregivers, and families with clear instructions on what you want to happen with your health. They are written by lawyers typically and are clear, precise documents that others have to legally follow. This can help give you a sense of peace when you may need it the most.
You Maintain Control
Medicaid does not give you control, it is a tool to help you get affordable care. If you do not have legal documents sharing what you want you may lose your sense of independence and your autonomy. Even if you are unable to communicate, your wishes will be followed because they will be in a legal document! You will have full control over yourself as you age and as you need more medical care.
Healthcare Directives Allow Peace
When you reach the age you need Medicaid and you are in and out of the hospital or need more medical attention it can be a lot of stress for you and the family. When you have things prepared in advance, you and your entire family will know what is coming. This allows you to have the peace of mind you need to age in place and it allows your family to have peace knowing you have already decided things and you have made decisions.
As you sit down with a lawyer to start the Medicaid planning process, it is also time to think about other healthcare documents that are legally binding. You will want to sit and plan it all out thinking about any situation that can come. Look at your health and determine what could happen and how you would want to proceed. A good lawyer will be able to work through everything and consider all possibilities to write up a healthcare directive.