Gainesville Estate Planning Law Blog

Some Georgians might say that aging is for the birds. Others might have a most positive outlook, perhaps feeling  more liberated as they age and living life as they see fit. Many senior citizens agree, however, that aging often prompts fears or anxieties about certain issues.

Many older people get stressed when they think about losing independence, either due to physical conditions that make them unable to function without assistance on a daily basis or perhaps, mental decline that leaves them vulnerable regarding their own finances or medical issues. Sadly, many older people struggle financially as well. They may have worked their entire lives, perhaps even saving money as they were able, yet still be unable to meet the expenses associated with their long-term care plans.

If you're one of many adult children in Georgia who are caring for an elderly parent, you understand how challenging it can be. You want what is best for your loved one, but it isn't always easy to interpret that in a given set of circumstances. One of the most difficult decisions someone in your position can make is to file a petition for a court appointed guardian when your mother or father has become incapacitated.

If mental or physical health issues have made it impossible for your parent to make legal or financial decisions, it definitely signifies legitimate cause to ask the court to appoint a guardian. This can be a complex, time-consuming process. The good news, however, is that there are support resources available that can help alleviate some of the stress that often accompanies such situations.

It's natural for older people in Georgia or elsewhere to want to cling to every bit of independence they can. This often leads to a struggle between aging parents and their loved ones who may try to convince them that the time has come to transition into an assisted living environment. In fact, approximately 25 percent of the senior citizens surveyed in one group had no personal control over their move to an assisted living facility.

It can be quite challenging for older people, who may have lived in the same house for decades, to get used to being around other people and to adapt to a new lifestyle that may include eating meals in a cafeteria style setting and having to eat at a certain time. Other types of problems often afflict elders in assisted living centers as well. For instance, many suffer from dementia -- not enough to necessitate moving to a nursing home but enough to need help as they function on a daily basis.

Many Georgia residents and others associate matters of estate with signing a will. While signing a last will and testament is a common part of the estate planning process, there are many other types of documents and issues involved in executing a solid estate plan. It is never too early to learn as much as possible about the process; in fact, for those age 50 and beyond, it is often a crucial aspect of long-term care.

Parents of young children will also want to research how to plan their estates. Designating someone to care for children if parents die or become incapacitated is one of many protections an estate plan can offer. Parents of adult children may also want to consider various powers of attorney they may include in their estate plans.