Long Island Elder Law & Estate Planning

elder care New YorkAs you or your family members age, elder care New York may become necessary. As they get older, many seniors become unable to handle routine tasks of daily living like cooking, bathing, and using the bathroom.  Illness and injury can cause impairment and make it difficult for the elderly to live on their own. When a senior can no longer care for himself or herself, steps must be taken to provide appropriate elder care services.

Hauppauge elder care lawyers at Mark S. Eghrari and Associates PLLC can provide assistance to seniors and their families in exploring different options for senior care within the state of New York. There are pros and cons to each different choice, so careful consideration is necessary to make the right decisions for senior care. Give us a call to earn how our legal team can help with this important choice.

Sources of Elder Care New York

Many seniors need assistance as they age, with varying levels of help needed depending upon a senior’s physical and mental condition. There are different sources that seniors can turn to in order to get elder care that they need in NY. Some examples include:

  • In-home care.

According to New York State Service for the Aging, a program called Extended In-Home Services for the Elderly (EISEP) provides a “coordinated package of non-medical services and supports developed from an assessment to assist older adults who need help with Activities of Daily Living.”

Some of the activities of daily living may include shopping, dressing, bathing, and cooking. Eligible seniors 60 and older who can stay at home but who need help with daily living may qualify for EISEP, as long as they are not on Medicaid. Cost sharing begins at 150 percent of the poverty level, so those above this level will pay something while those below will pay nothing for EISEP.

  • Family caregivers.

Many seniors are cared for in private homes by family members including spouses and children. There are services intended to provide assistance to caregivers, including Care Coordination as a part of EISEP.

A New York Elder Caregiver Support Program also offers counseling, support groups, training, and respite care to temporarily relieve caregivers of their responsibilities. Those who care for someone 60 or over are eligible for the Caregiver Support Program and cost varies based on specific services provided to caregivers.

  • Living in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities.

NORCs or Neighborhood Naturally Recurring Retirement Communities (NNORCs) are areas where there are a large number of older residents residing. Services provided within these communities may include nursing services, social work services, and recreational activities. Living in an NROC or NNORC does not involve any added cost, but some services may have a fee. Anyone over 60 who lives in one of the communities is eligible to benefit from services.

  • Social model adult day services programs. 

Programs offer care during the day to frail and disabled seniors. Services may include supervision, monitoring, nutrition assistance, and socialization activities. Costs can vary based on program, and individuals are eligible if they meet criteria for specific programs such as having dementia or cognitive impairments.

  • Nursing home care:

There are a wide variety of nursing homes throughout New York State. The New York State Department of Health provides information on costs of nursing home care at different facilities. Nursing home care can be very expensive, but seniors may be eligible to have Medicaid pay for their nursing home care costs.

How to Select the Right Elder Care New York Services

These are just a few of many possible solutions for providing care for senior citizens. Choosing the best option will depend upon a senior’s financial situation; as well as the extent of the need for care and the ability of family members to help out. It is important to consider cost as well as whether a particular program will provide the best living environment for a senior’s golden years. An attorney can offer assistance in exploring different solutions and finding ways to pay for necessary care for seniors.

How a Hauppauge Elder Care Lawyer Can Help You

Download our estate planning checklist to learn more about elder law matters and about how you can get elder care in New York.  You can also speak with a Hauppauge elder care lawyer at Mark S. Eghrari and Associates PLLC in order to get help ensuring you protect your rights as you enter nursing care. Give us a call at (631) 265-0599 or contact us online to learn more about how an experienced lawyer can help you.

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About Mark S. Eghrari, Estate Planning Attorney

Mark S. Eghrari is an attorney in private practice in Smithtown, New York. He has been in practice since 1988. Mark S. Eghrari provides extensive estate and tax planning services to individuals and businesses. Mr. Eghrari’s primary focus is helping clients avoid probate, minimize or eliminate Federal and State Estate taxes and protect their assets from the high cost of nursing care, if they become ill.