Long-Term Care Planning in East Cleveland

Start with the care decision, not a funding assumption

Begin by comparing care preferences with the resources and arrangements that may be available. For example, identify whether the person is considering support at home, a different living arrangement, or another form of care, then note what is known about insurance, income, savings, and other resources. The purpose is to identify questions and trade-offs, not to assume that one source will pay for a particular plan.

CHOICES is Tennessee’s long-term-services-and-supports program. Medical and financial requirements both apply, so it is best treated as a program to ask about conditionally—not as a promised source of funding or an assumption of eligibility. A planning discussion can help separate questions about care preferences, existing resources, and whether to explore program requirements.

• What care would the person prefer, and what alternatives are acceptable?
• What insurance policies or other resources should be reviewed?
• Which questions need answers before making a care or funding decision?

Clarify who can act—and for what

A care coordination plan should distinguish healthcare decisions from financial and administrative tasks. A healthcare agent, an agent under a power of attorney, a trustee, and a court-appointed guardian or conservator have different roles; one person’s authority in one role should not be assumed to extend to every decision or account. The document and its scope matter.

Tennessee’s Advance Directive for Health Care form addresses an agent or alternate and healthcare preferences, and includes instructions about signing and sharing copies. A financial power of attorney authorizes another person to act on someone’s behalf, but its scope, duration, and limits matter. Identify which documents exist and what questions remain rather than assuming a document grants every power.

• List each relevant document, the person named, and the role it addresses.
• Note where a decision involves healthcare preferences versus finances or property.
• Identify who should receive information and copies for coordination.

Make a one-page coordination worksheet

A useful first preparation tool is a one-page worksheet that keeps care choices and practical information together. Include preferred care arrangements and alternatives; insurance and resource information to verify; existing healthcare and financial documents; the people involved and their stated roles; and open questions. Mark uncertain items as questions rather than treating them as settled facts.

Bring the worksheet and copies of relevant documents to a planning conversation. This can make it easier to identify gaps, compare options, and decide what follow-up is needed. It does not itself establish eligibility for a program or change anyone’s legal authority.

• Care preferences and acceptable alternatives
• Insurance policies and resources to review
• Existing directives, powers of attorney, and other relevant documents
• People involved, their roles, and questions needing follow-up

Plan for coordination in East Cleveland

East Cleveland is an unincorporated Census designated place in Bradley County, not a separate city government. Dale Law Group’s only office is in Murfreesboro; the firm serves clients in Tennessee. This page does not imply a local office in East Cleveland.

Useful next questions include: Which care preferences should guide comparisons? What insurance or resource information is still missing? Which person is authorized to handle each kind of decision? Should TennCare CHOICES requirements be explored? Dale Law Group offers long-term care planning and Medicaid planning to help clients address these planning questions.