Caregivers tend to be women but many men do an excellent job as well. When looking for someone to take care of an aging family member consider these things:

· Where will your elderly relative want to live? Most people are more comfortable staying in their own home. Even if they have only lived there for a short time it is the place they call home and they do not want to move. If they have lived in their home for many years it may be almost impossible to ask them to move. You do not want to ask your elderly relative to do something that may damage them psychologically. If they are already having physical health problems you should avoid compounding the problems.

· Will they be able to care for their personal hygiene needs, such as bathing and using the toilet? One of the most basic forms of independence we have is that of being able to care for our personal needs of bathing and toileting. To have to rely on a stranger’s help is difficult beyond belief.

Finding someone to act as a caregiver to our elderly relative may not be an easy thing to do. Older people become frustrated and angry when their independence and privacy are threatened. At times they may be hostile, cruel, or abusive to those who attempt to care for them. Conversely, caregivers to the elderly may react the same way back to the elderly.

Attempt to have a family member care for the older person. Someone who is known to them may be better equipped to handle the situation. Ask neighbors and agencies if they can recommend someone who has experience in elder care. Check all references to make sure the caregiver will act appropriately with your family member.

Elder law attorneys address the legal issues that arise as a consequence of the aging process. Elder law is a rather large umbrella and covers the areas that are most practical to the problems that seniors face. Here are the top five ways that these lawyers can assist the elderly:

1. Elder Financial Abuse. These are cases where financial predators use undue influence, manipulation and coercion to take property and money from elders who have diminished mental capacity. The perpetrators can by anybody, but are usually family members, caregivers or friends who have the most access to the elder and are least likely to be challenged by outsiders.

2. Nursing Home Abuse. Abuse or neglect of a nursing home patient generally results from inadequate staffing where there are too many patients and not enough nursing assistants. Sometimes, this is a conscious policy on the part of the nursing home owner who puts corporate profit ahead of patient care. Fortunately, there are many legal remedies available to stop these wrongful acts and to compensate the elderly victim for injuries suffered.

3. Conservatorships. When an elder is no longer able to make sound financial and healthcare decisions, and no other alternatives are available, then a request can be made for the court to establish a conservatorship and appoint someone to have the legal authority to make such decisions. This is an involved process but provides a solution to assist an elder who can no longer protect them self.

4. Estate Planning. “Living trusts”, powers of attorney for financial and healthcare decisions, and wills are the primary documents that constitute a person’s estate plan. These written instructions assist the elderly client both during their lifetime and afterwards. A proper estate plan can also avoid the need to establish a conservatorship if the elder becomes unable to make sound decisions. These documents grant all of the legal authority needed to carry on the elder’s affairs – without having to seek court involvement.

5. Medi-Cal Planning. This term applies to California residents and involves the process of obtaining Medi-Cal benefits to pay the sky-rocketing costs of long term care in a skilled nursing facility. Planning involves three stages: (1) Thorough analysis of the client’s financial status to develop a written strategy to obtain eligibility, reduce any share of cost, and avoid recovery claims; (2) Execution of the written strategy; and (3) Completion of the application process. Medi-Cal law is complicated and requires a lawyer experienced in the nuances of the various rules and regulations.