A nursing home planning lawyer provides help to seniors and their families in Connecticut in making sure that the right care options are selected and in making certain that necessary care can be paid for.
Even with advanced planning and asset protection to keep wealth safe from nursing home bills, making the decision to go into a nursing home is still a big deal. Many seniors do not want to seek nursing home care and would prefer to live independently or take advantage of other care options outside of a nursing home setting. 
Now, there are new options which could help at least some seniors to put off nursing home care or to avoid altogether the prospect of having to go and live in a nursing home. Home Care Daily reported on the new options for seniors in the state of Connecticut that could make a big difference for older residents.
To explore all of your options for nursing home care and to make certain you and your family are ready to pay for care and select the right care providers, you should talk with an experienced attorney before the day arrives when you actually need help. Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates can assist you with the process of exploring options, protecting assets, and making certain you get the care you need. We can also provide you with advice on new developments in the long-term care and nursing care industry that could potentially help to improve your quality of life.
New Nursing Home Care Options for Connecticut Seniors
According to Home Care Daily, Granny Pods could provide a care option for Connecticut seniors that is an alternative to moving into a traditional nursing home.
Granny Pods is the term that is used to refer to temporary living quarters which are 300 square feet or less. Granny Pods can be around 30×30 feet in size at the max, but fit everything needed into that space including a kitchenette, a bathroom, and a basic living space.
The idea is that Granny Pods can be put up to allow seniors to live close to their family on a temporary basis when care is needed. Instead of going into a nursing home after a fall, for example, an older person who needs temporary help could live in a Granny Pod in a location close to loved ones.
Current zoning requirements prohibit Granny Pods, which is causing some lawmakers to be wary of supporting legislation that would allow for their use. However, many different state agencies in Connecticut have expressed support for Granny Pods, and the AARP has also endorsed the idea.
Granny pods are already approved to be used in many other states, including Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Some Connecticut politicians are pushing hard for zoning changes which would allow Granny Pods, with the senator who is leading the charge indicating: “We’ve talked to a few senior centers over the last couple of months, and … (residents) believe this is something that could help them.”
The ability to live close to, but independent from, caregivers could make it possible for many seniors to stay out of nursing home care for as long as possible. The pods can be more personalized and less institutional than a nursing home, which a senior might otherwise be forced to move into at least temporarily when an illness or injury necessitates some extra help. It can also be far less expensive for a senior to live near family in a temporary Granny Pod than for a senior to go into nursing home care and be forced to pay nursing home fees which could total more than $100,000 annually.
Hopefully, the nursing home legislation addressing Granny Pods in Connecticut will be successful and injured or ill seniors will get a new lease on life since the Pod lets them be close to loved ones.
Getting Help from A Connecticut Nursing Home Planning Lawyer
Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates has provided assistance to many seniors and their families in preparing for the day when some kind of long-term care is needed. To learn more about what you can do to make plans for care and how nursing home planning fits into your estate planning process, download our free estate planning worksheet. You can also give us a call at 860-548-1000 or contact us online for personalized advice from a Connecticut nursing home planning lawyer. Call today so we can work with you right away to identify the best approaches for care and to get those care costs paid for.
Mr. Horowitz was awarded his Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law. While attending law school, Mr. Horowitz received the American Jurisprudence Award in Legal Ethics and the Nathan Burkan Award.
After graduation from law school, Mr. Horowitz continued his legal education at New York University School of Law where he received a Post Doctorate Law Degree in Taxation. He has also recently received a national achievement award.
Mr. Horowitz is admitted to practice before all the state courts in the State of Connecticut and the United States District Court.
Mr. Horowitz was selected for Super Lawyers in 2021.
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