How Life Care Planners Help Individuals With Disabilities

Takeaways

• Life care planners play an important role in helping individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or catastrophic injuries navigate their future care needs.

• By providing comprehensive plans that address medical, financial, and personal requirements, these professionals serve as invaluable resources for families, attorneys, and health care providers.

Who Are Life Care Planners?

Life care planners are professionals with specialized training and expertise in assessing and planning for the long-term needs of individuals who require ongoing care. They often have backgrounds in nursing, rehabilitation, social work, or case management. Many hold certifications, such as the International Commission on Health Care Certification’s Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP) certificate, which ensures adherence to established professional standards and practices.

What Do Life Care Planners Do?

Life care planners create detailed, individualized plans that outline the medical, therapeutic, and personal care services an individual may need over their lifetime. Their responsibilities may include:

• Assessment: Evaluating the person’s medical history, current condition, and anticipated future needs.

• Coordination: Collaborating with health care providers, therapists, and other professionals to gather necessary information.
• Plan Development: Designing a comprehensive life care plan that addresses medical treatments, assistive technologies, home adaptations, vocational needs, educational services, and potential future complications.
• Cost Estimation: Providing a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with care, including medical expenses, equipment, and living arrangements.
• Expert Testimony: In legal cases, life care planners may serve as expert witnesses, offering testimony on the projected costs of care for individuals involved in personal injury, workers’ compensation, or medical malpractice cases.

Who Needs a Life Care Planner and Why?

A life care planner can be beneficial for anyone who requires long-term care as well as for those who assist them from day to day.

People with disabilities can benefit from creating a life care plan so that they and their caregivers can have a clearer picture of the types and costs of ongoing care they will likely require throughout their life. Life care planners can help people suffering from catastrophic injuries with long-term recovery periods, such as traumatic brain injuries, by mapping out their needs for the best possible recovery.

Older adults with complex medical needs and those transitioning to long-term care can also use life care plans to get a more comprehensive picture of their care needs and the potential costs of those needs. A life care planner can give guidance to a caregiver who wants to find the best ways to meet the needs of a loved one.

In addition, life care planners can assist attorneys who are handling personal injury, workers’ compensation, or medical malpractice cases who need expert input on care costs.

Families who work closely with life care planners can help to ensure that their plan for the future is tailored to the unique needs of their loved one with a disability, taking into account their specific circumstances and preferences.

How to Choose a Life Care Planner

When selecting a life care planner, consider the following factors:

• Credentials: Look for planners with certifications such as CLCPs or Certified Nurse Life Care Planners (CNLCPs) to ensure professional competence.
• Experience: Choose someone with experience in the specific type of case or condition you are addressing.
• References: Request references or testimonials from previous clients or legal professionals.
• Specialization: Some life care planners specialize in certain areas, such as pediatric care, elder care, or specific types of injuries.
• Communication Skills: A good life care planner should be able to explain complex medical and financial information clearly.
• Ethical Standards: Verify that they adhere to professional and ethical guidelines.
• Compatibility: Ensure their approach aligns with your values and goals.

Getting Started With Life Care Planning – and Special Needs Planning

Whether you’re managing a chronic medical condition, recovering from a serious injury, or advocating for a loved one’s care, choosing the right life care planner can make a significant difference. In addition to the resources mentioned above, you may be able to find a qualified life care planner near you through an experienced special needs planning attorney.

Special needs planners also can assist you or your loved one with a disability in navigating the other complexities of planning for their future – from ensuring that the individual’s needs are met to protecting their rights and benefits.

This may include setting up a special needs trust. This estate planning tool is designed to manage one’s assets without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). An attorney can guide you on how to fund these trusts and ensure that the funds are used appropriately to enhance the life of the individual with a disability.

An attorney can also help families make sense of the complicated landscape of public benefits. They can provide information on program requirements, application processes, and how to appeal decisions if necessary. This support is invaluable in ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive the benefits they are entitled to, which can significantly affect their quality of life.

Finally, a special needs planning attorney can offer ongoing support and advice as circumstances change. Life is unpredictable, and having a knowledgeable advocate can help families adjust their plans as needed, whether due to changes in health, financial status, or legal requirements. They provide the expertise and support needed to create a secure and fulfilling future, ensuring that all aspects of care and financial planning are addressed comprehensively.

For additional reading about topics related to life care planning, such as special needs planning and long-term care planning, check out the following articles:

• What To Know Before Beginning Special Needs Planning
• The Perils and Pitfalls of Do-It-Yourself Special Needs Planning
• What to Ask Before Settling a Personal Injury Lawsuit
• Why You Need to Plan for Long-Term Care
• Does a Personal Injury Settlement Affect Disability Claims?