By Marc C. Shaffer
When we talk about financial planning, we often focus on investments, retirement accounts, and long-term goals. But an essential part of that future includes planning for long-term care, both for ourselves and for the people we love most.
“Age is simply the number of years the world has been enjoying you!” – Unknown
As our parents, relatives, and even close friends age, we’re often faced with the weight of decisions about how and where they will receive care. These decisions can be overwhelming, especially when extended family lives far away or when the aging process isn’t as linear or predictable as we might expect.
Varying levels of care may be needed depending on one’s health, mobility, and cognitive function. Here’s a range from minimal to extensive:
🟢 Minimal Care
- Companionship – Regular social interaction to reduce loneliness.
- Home Safety Modifications – Grab bars, better lighting, non-slip mats.
- Transportation Help – Rides to appointments or errands.
- Assistance with Technology – Help using phones, video calls, or apps.
- Meal Prep Support – Occasional help with cooking or meal delivery.
🟡 Moderate Care
- Housekeeping & Daily Tasks – Help with laundry, cleaning, shopping.
- Medication Reminders – Ensuring medications are taken correctly.
- Personal Care Assistance – Help with bathing, dressing, or grooming.
- Health Monitoring – Checking vitals or managing chronic conditions.
- Part-time In-Home Help – A caregiver a few hours per day or week.
🔴 Extensive Care
- Full-Time Caregiver – 24/7 assistance with daily living activities.
- Mobility Support – Help with walking, transfers, or wheelchair use.
- Memory Care – Specialized care for dementia or Alzheimer’s.
- Medical/Nursing Care – Wound care, injections, or managing complex conditions.
- Assisted Living or Nursing Home – Residential care with full support.
Care needs often evolve over time, so regular check-ins and reassessments are essential.
Fortunately, there are a wide range of professional services designed to support seniors, and their families, through every stage of aging. You don’t have to navigate it alone.
Start with a Care Assessment
One of the best first steps is to schedule a personalized in-home care assessment.
This process allows seniors to share their needs in a safe, compassionate setting, often uncovering challenges that aren’t obvious to even close family members. These assessments evaluate everything from physical limitations to emotional well-being and provide a clear roadmap for the kind of care and support that may be needed.
Holistic Services that Support the Whole Person
Here’s a closer look at the types of services available, many of which are often overlooked until families realize they’re in over their heads.
- In-Home Senior Care and Companionship
Professionally trained caregivers offer services ranging from help with bathing, dressing, and meals to social interaction and light housekeeping. For many seniors, this level of care supports their desire to remain in their own home longer, safely and with dignity.
- Specialized Care for Chronic Conditions
Programs are available for individuals living with:
- Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Diabetes, arthritis, and osteoporosis
- Cancer, heart disease, and other long-term conditions
These services are often backed by advanced caregiver training and focus on empowering seniors while offering families peace of mind.
- Care Transitions and Surgery Assistance
Whether it’s transitioning from a hospital back home or supporting recovery after surgery, transitional care professionals focus on creating safe environments for healing. They also help families manage the logistics of follow-up appointments, prescriptions, and in-home support.
- End-of-Life Support
As focus shifts from recovery to comfort, end-of-life care teams can supplement hospice services with 24-hour in-home care. These professionals provide emotional and physical support for both the client and their family during a tender time.
- Healthcare Advocacy
Some professionals accompany clients to doctor visits, take notes, and follow up with family members who live out of town. Others step in during ER visits to advocate for seniors and ensure medical teams have the most accurate, up-to-date information. They also assist with preparing advanced healthcare directives and exploring independent or assisted living options when needed.
- Financial and Legal Advocacy
Advocates can act under powers of attorney to help manage day-to-day financial responsibilities like bill paying, account balancing, and tax preparation. They’re not financial advisors, but they do watch for red flags like excessive investment fees or potentially predatory practices.
On the legal side, they can assist with living wills, healthcare proxies, and connect families to attorneys for wills and trust planning. In some cases, they even serve as trustees, executors, or agents. This is especially valuable when no local family members are available.
- Senior Living Placement Support
One specialized service involves helping families evaluate senior care communities such as:
- Assisted living
- Memory care
- Long-term care
- Continuing care retirement communities
These advisors act like a buyer’s agent in real estate, working only for the family (not the facilities) and receiving no compensation from the communities they evaluate. That means families get objective, personalized recommendations based on comprehensive assessments, facility tours, and performance audits.
Common questions they help answer include:
- Is the current living situation safe?
- Is caregiving taking a toll on the primary caregiver?
- Is in-home care becoming too expensive or complicated?
- Has it become too difficult to meet your loved one’s evolving needs?
If you answer yes to any of those, it might be time to explore a new care setting. The decision isn’t always clear-cut. However, professional guidance can help ensure that the choice reflects your loved one’s needs, personality, and future care requirements.
Let Us Be Your Connector
At Searcy Financial Services and Allos Investment Advisors, we believe that planning goes beyond money. It’s about preparing for all of life’s transitions with confidence and care.
We’ve built relationships with trusted professionals in the senior care space and are happy to connect our clients with professionals to support their loved ones. If you or someone you know needs help exploring care options, whether in Overland Park or elsewhere, please reach out to our team. We’re here to walk alongside you and provide the same kind of introductions and guidance we offer in so many areas of financial life.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let’s make a plan, together.