Did you know that there are currently 18 million veterans living in the United States? As Memorial Day approaches, you may be thinking about the ways you can recognize and show your respect for the veteran you love. While attending a veteran recognition festival or visiting a veteran’s cemetery are great ways to accomplish this, one of the best ways to show appreciation for the veteran in your life is to help them prepare a plan for their future.
To help you get started, let us share with you a few tips on how you can care for the veteran in your life this Memorial Day.
First, we encourage you to spend some quality time with your loved one. While it is important to show your appreciation for the veteran you love this Memorial Day, try to spend some of the time with your loved one discussing any changes that your loved one may be experiencing. This can help you identify the level of care your loved one may need in the near future. Some older adults, for example, may require around-the-clock care in an assisted living facility or just a caregiver to visit his or her home a few days per week. If you feel more comfortable having an independent third-party come in to assess your loved one’s needs, we encourage you to schedule an appointment to do so.
Once you have determined the type of care that your loved one needs, the next step is to find an appropriate assisted living facility or caregiver. It is important to keep your family member informed and involved throughout the search process, by taking him or her with you on visits to the facilities, encouraging them to ask questions, as well as be vocal about their thoughts and feelings about the caregiver or assisted living facility.
Finally, one of the most important steps to take is to meet with an experienced Elder Law attorney to prepare for the protection of your senior loved one, as well as his or her assets. An Elder Law attorney can also help evaluate whether your loved one is eligible for any VA benefits and can complete the application on their behalf. These are important benefits that should not be overlooked!
These are just a few ways to show the veterans you love that you care this Memorial Day.
As always, do not wait to reach out to us as a resource for ideas or as a way to plan forward or if there is a need to find solutions in a crisis in Gainesville.