While some people in New Jersey plan on entering an assisted living facility or a nursing home once they can no longer care for themselves, others wish to remain in their homes, if possible. These days, there are a variety of programs that provide people with long-term care at home, some of which are run by the state.
For example, some states have self-directed long-term care programs where people can have their care needs met by home-care providers. For example, they can choose who they want to cook their meals or clean their homes. These programs can be directly scheduled and paid for by the person, allowing the person to have an autonomous relationship with their home-care providers, rather than receiving such care from agencies that may not provide the quality of care they want. One study reports that when a person is able to directly take charge of their own long-term care planning, they may be happier with the care they receive than they would be if they had received conventional long-term care.
That being said, self-directed long-term care will not work for everyone. If a person is mentally incapacitated or suffering from a chronic illness, directly managing their long-term care services may not be a possibility. A person must know how to advocate for themselves and their needs, which takes a certain amount of energy and knowledge about one’s options.
For this reason, those deciding to take charge of their own in-home long-term care may wish to discuss their options with a professional. Elder law attorneys can help a person plan for their long-term care needs, as well as assisting them in executing the legal documents necessary to ensure their wishes are met. For example, a person may want a health care and financial power of attorney, along with a living will, to ensure their long-term care needs are handled the way they want them to be. These documents can also help family members who want to do right by their aging loved one, allowing that person to live out the remainder of their years in the manner they wish.
