Helping hands: Team of advocates can help you plan for the unexpected

Life is unpredictable and medical emergencies happen when we least expect them. Here at Kreisher Marshall & Associates (KMA), the last few months have been filled with these moments. Our loved ones have been faced with the reality that life can change in a moment — a debilitating injury, stroke, brain aneurysm, accident, or rapidly progressing cancer.

We have seen firsthand how in those critical moments, the health care system can be overwhelming — especially when you are focused on your health and recovery or that of your loved one. That’s why planning for these unpredictable emergencies and building a team of advocates can be one of the most empowering and beneficial steps you can take.

For the past several years, KMA has offered traditional Life Care Planning (LCP) services for to families living with long-term diagnosis such as Parkinson’s, various types of dementia, ALS and more. In these situations, there is often an initial diagnosis and a gradual progression of the disease that requires long-term care and advocacy. Our Elder Care Coordinators are ideally brought into the care team early with traditional LCP so when an emergency happens, they are ready to advocate on your behalf.

Based on our recent experiences, we have started a new service to empower clients through planning for emergencies. Life Care Planning Lite, (LCP Lite) is a service offered to otherwise healthy individuals planning for the unexpected. LCP Lite consists of a personal needs assessment, legal assessment and advocacy and care coordination services. Imagine being in an emergency situation, whether individually or as a loved one, how comforting and important it would be to have a team you can rely on who understand your wishes and can advocate on your behalf.

With LCP Lite, your advocacy team can do the following:

• Ensure you have the right legal tools in place such as a Power of Attorney and Advanced Health Directive and that those legal tools do what you want them to do
• Obtain and communicate your medical history and preferences to providers
• Ask the crucial questions to clarify diagnosis, treatment options and potential care needs at home or in a facility to best accommodate your care wishes
• Navigate the system of appointments, referrals, admissions, etc.
• Coordinate care in the home or advocate for long-term care in a facility you prefer to be cared at
• Provide emotional support to you and your loved ones.

Preparing for an emergency and building your advocacy team isn’t about dwelling on the bad things that can happen in life, it is about being proactive to ensure you have advocates and a support system in place when you need it the most. LCP Lite is an assurance that you will have trusted advocates to assist you in navigating the complex legal system and focus on what truly matters — your health or that of your loved one.

If you would like to know more about LCP Lite, please contact Kreisher Marshall & Associates at 814-954-1289 to schedule a consultation with one of our Elder Care Coordinators.