Long-Term Care Planning in Hornsby

Start with the care decision—not a funding assumption

Consider the person’s preferences first: what kinds of support might be acceptable, who should be involved in conversations, and what information would help the family compare options. Then separate those preferences from the financial question. An available insurance policy, savings, or possible public-program assistance may affect planning, but none by itself establishes what care is appropriate or what a program will cover.

CHOICES is Tennessee’s long-term-services-and-supports program. Both medical and financial requirements apply, so treat TennCare as a question to investigate rather than a promised funding source or an assumption of eligibility.

Compare preferences, authority, and resources

A practical comparison can help reveal gaps before a care decision becomes urgent. For each option under consideration, note how well it fits the person’s stated preferences, who would communicate or decide, and what insurance or resource information needs confirmation.

Keep decision-making roles distinct. A power of attorney authorizes another person to act for someone else, but its scope, duration, and limits matter. A trustee, court-appointed guardian or conservator, and government-appointed benefit fiduciary each have different roles; one authority should not be assumed to substitute for another.

• Care preferences: what matters to the person, and who has discussed them?
• Authority: which documents identify an agent or other decision-maker, and what do they authorize?
• Resources: what insurance, income, assets, and benefit information should be verified?
• Open questions: what facts are missing before comparing care or funding options?

Prepare a one-page coordination sheet

Bring a concise coordination sheet to a planning discussion. List the person’s care preferences and concerns; current and alternate decision-makers; the location of relevant documents; known insurance and resource information; and questions that need follow-up. Mark each item confirmed, uncertain, or not yet located. This makes missing information visible without treating an estimate or an old document as settled.

For healthcare preferences, Tennessee’s Advance Directive for Health Care form addresses an agent and alternate as well as healthcare preferences, and includes instructions about signing and sharing copies. Review the document and its instructions with care; do not assume that a healthcare directive gives someone financial authority.

Questions to bring to planning

Consider asking: Do the existing documents identify the people the client wants involved? Are their scopes and roles clear? What insurance or resource information remains unverified? Would a TennCare-related question require separate confirmation of both medical and financial requirements? What should be updated if preferences or circumstances change?

Dale Law Group, PLLC offers long-term care planning, Medicaid planning, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. A planning discussion can help connect these topics while keeping healthcare authority, financial authority, and program questions separate.