Plan for Long-term Services & Supports
It can seem overwhelming to plan for possibly needing long-term services and supports in the future. But it doesn’t have to be. You can make a great start right here with information, tools, and guidance from Washington’s Community Living Connections (CLC). Planning now for future needs will let family and friends know what you want now and can carry out your wishes now and/or in the future.
Learn more about:
FIRST STEPS in planning
Getting started:
- Assess your possible need for long-term services and supports
- Consider your financial circumstances and how they might change
- Maintain your health and independence.
- Talk with your family about caregiving.
- Get familiar with local resources.
Key factors for planning your current and future long-term support:
- Your age and gender—The chance of needing long-term services and supports increases as you get older. Women live longer and are more likely to need long-term services and supports.
- Your family history—Have other family members needed long-term services and supports? If so, what type and for how long?
- Your current health—Are you in good general health? Do you have any health conditions that may increase your need for long-term services and supports?
- Changing needs—The amount and type of long-term services and supports you need often increase over time.
- Your family situation—Are your family members or loved ones willing and able to provide any home-based care? If so, you may need fewer long-term services and supports. You may need more care from a paid provider if you are single.
planning tools
To help family or friends think about and help you plan for future care, AARP Foundation has published a planning guide for families, titled Prepare to Care and Your Resource Guide for Long-Term Care Planning. Caring connections is a resource to plan ahead for end-of-life care.
Understanding your needs--a quick list of questions to help you reflect on what kind of services could help you:
- How much help you need
- What you need help to do
- Your personal preferences for receiving hands-on care, if and when needed
- How accessible your current home is
- What support can realistically be provided by family or friends
- What is important to you, for example: privacy, social engagement, or both
- The costs and payment options for each setting
FUNDING YOUR CARE
When thinking about how you might pay for your long-term services and supports, you could consider reviewing your current insurance coverage, your own funds, and learn what is covered by government programs.
Determine if you can pay for long-term services and supports with your own funds
Would you be able to cover all the costs with your retirement income and savings? Personal resources could include but are not limited to the following:
- Social Security
- Pension
- Interest income
- Dividends from investments
- Payments from a 401(k) or IRA
- Cash, savings
- Stocks and bonds
- Your home
Legal Assistance and care planning
Washingtonians have several legal tools to help plan for long-term care or health care needs. Preparing documents before you may need them will help make sure your interests and wishes are carried out even if you are not able to make your own decisions.
It’s best to consult an attorney well versed in Elder Law or Special Needs Law, to make sure your care plans follow Washington State law and protect your interests and wishes. Some legal tools do not require an attorney but will need your careful consideration. If you do not already have an attorney, here are some options for finding legal assistance:
- The Washington State Bar Association's Find Legal Help Webpage
- Many county bar associations offer local lawyer referral services. Contact your county bar for information about legal help near you.
- The American Bar Association maintains a directory of lawyer referral services by state.
- CLEAR is Washington’s toll-free, centralized intake, advice, and referral service operated by the Northwest Justice Project for low-income people seeking free legal assistance with civil legal problems. The web page lists hours and instructions.
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) has an online directory of members that are Elder Law and Special Needs Law Attorneys. They also have consumer information about Elder and Special Needs Law, as well as how to choose an attorney.
- Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (WAELA) consists of Washington members of NAELA, who not only practice elder law, but are also especially aware of and concerned with the special issues pertaining to the practice of elder law in Washington State.
- National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) certifies practitioners of Elder Law and Special Needs Law and provides a limited list of certified attorneys by state. NELF's Certified Elder Law Attorney designation is itself certified by the American Bar Association.
Additional information about your legal rights and self-help legal packets, including court forms, can be found online at Washington Law Help