Health and Wellness Education

Life Care Planning Benefits: A Case Study for Better Aging Solutions

Life Care Planning Benefits: A Case Study for Better Aging Solutions

We’ve all seen it happen: families wait until a crisis—like a fall, stroke, or unexpected hospital stay—before addressing their loved one’s care. This often leads to rushed decisions, emotional overwhelm, and missed chances to plan thoughtfully.

Take Joanne and her mom, Mary, for example. When Mary fell and could no longer manage the stairs in her home, the family was thrown into chaos. Mary resisted change, worried about costs and losing her independence, while Joanne scrambled to find quick solutions that left everyone stressed and frustrated.

But what if they’d had a plan in place?

By exploring Mary and Joanne’s story, we can pinpoint how proactive life care planning could have made all the difference—for Mary and her family.

Joanne’s Story: Missed Opportunities and What Could Have Been

Joanne’s mom, Mary, had lived in her two-story colonial home for over 40 years and cherished her independence. But when Mary fell and could no longer get upstairs, the family was thrust into crisis mode.

With no plan in place, the family scrambled to find solutions. Mary refused to leave her home, so she moved into the sunroom, using a space heater and taking sponge baths since the full bathroom was upstairs. Joanne suggested options like a stairlift or assisted living, but Mary resisted.

Here’s where the family missed some key opportunities:

Cost Considerations: Joanne and her family didn’t take the time to evaluate the costs of various options. Installing a stairlift or adding a first-floor bathroom might have been more affordable than waiting for a crisis. They didn’t consider assisted living either, without looking into the potential costs or benefits.

Aligning Costs with Finances: Mary feared spending on modifications would drain her savings, but the family didn’t work with a financial planner to explore ways to manage those costs—whether through long-term care insurance, Medicaid, or reallocating assets. Without this planning, Mary’s decisions were driven by financial uncertainty.

Exploring Housing Alternatives: The focus was only on keeping Mary in her home, even though it no longer met her needs. Assisted living or an active adult community could have been a safer, more social option. But these alternatives weren’t explored, leading to frustration and stress.

How Life Care Planning Could Have Helped

If Joanne and Mary had worked with a life care planner early on, they could have avoided many of these challenges. Here’s how life care planning could have made a difference:

Cost Analysis of Care Options: A life care planner would have given the family a detailed cost breakdown for all available options:

  • Home Modifications:
    • Stairlift: $3,000–$5,000
    • First-floor bathroom: $15,000–$30,000
    • Grab bars and non-slip flooring: $300–$500
  • In-Home Care:
    • Part-time caregiver: $1,500–$3,000/month
  • Assisted Living:
    • Median cost: $4,500–$6,000/month

Having these numbers would have allowed the family to compare costs and see which options worked best for Mary’s budget and preferences.

Financial Planning to Align Costs and Goals: A life care planner could have worked with Mary’s financial advisor to ensure her care options aligned with her financial plan. They could have looked into how long-term care insurance or tax-efficient withdrawals could cover these costs, keeping Mary’s financial goals intact.

Proactive Housing Evaluation: A life care planner would have helped Mary and her family assess whether her home was the best place to age in place. If it wasn’t, they could have explored other housing options, giving Mary time to adjust and participate in the decision-making process.

Family Communication: A life care planner could have facilitated discussions between Mary, Joanne, and the rest of the family, reducing tension and helping everyone reach decisions together.

Start Planning Today

By taking a proactive approach to life care planning, Joanne’s family could have spared themselves the stress and uncertainty that comes with reacting to a crisis. Planning ahead brings peace of mind and helps navigate life’s challenges more smoothly. If you’re ready to start creating a thoughtful, tailored plan for your future, book a consultation with us today. Let’s ensure you and your loved ones are prepared, no matter what life brings.

To You Aging Well,

The SilverSavvy Team