Homewatch Caregivers releases new guide

As part of its ongoing program of helping to provide families with information they need to make informed decisions, Homewatch CareGivers Western Massachusetts has released its latest resource, entitled "Guide to Legal and Financial Planning Needs for Seniors." This new guide is available for free download from the company's website. Homewatch CareGivers is the world's largest and most experienced international provider of full-service home care services for people of all ages, celebrating 30 years of caring. By 2020, as the Baby Boomer generation ages, one in six Americans will be a senior citizen, increasing the senior population to more than 53 million. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimate that 60 percent of people over the age of 65 will need some form of long-term care. "Providing educational resources for our clients and for all caregivers is a part of our mission," said Judy Yaffe, co-owner of Homewatch CareGivers. "To this end, our team has researched and assembled a useful guide that highlights the universal legal and financial issues facing families with aging loved ones and offers guidance and resources on how to plan for the critical decisions related to these important topics." Because research shows that most people wait too long to prepare for their legal and financial needs as an older adult, Homewatch CareGivers created a resource that covers the following: Financial Planning: For those who want some control over the transitions from working years to retirement to end-of-life, the time to begin financial planning is now. The guide highlights key information surrounding the costs of care, the often misunderstood topic of long-term care insurance, and the variety of care options available for loved ones as they age. Legal Planning: Rather than making decisions under pressure, legal planning helps to establish a decision-making infrastructure. The guide discusses topics related to Elder Law, estate planning, and the legal tools available in advance of any incapacitation. Resources for Families: The planning accomplished today impacts the choices we are able to make later on. The guide offers candid guidance on how best to have these sensitive discussions with aging family members in order to plan in advance for contingencies and important choices. "Our goal is to support families by providing information and resources," Yaffe added. "We want this guide to be one of the resources that helps people make the plans needed to allow aging to be a time that is savored instead of a fate to be feared." For the free download of this guide or others provided by Homewatch CareGivers, visit its Web site at www.homewatchcaregivers.com. Founded in 1980, Homewatch CareGivers is the largest, most experienced international provider of full-service in-home care for people of all ages. Caregivers are triple-screened and continually trained and supervised by healthcare professionals to provide reliable, compassionate, and highly skilled services in companion, personal and comprehensive care. In-home care services are personalized for each client and customized care plans are administered through an international network of 111 franchise owners with 181 territories, including 10 international owners with 19 international territories. Each office is locally owned and dedicated to ensuring quality of life for clients and peace of mind for their loved ones. Call 1-800-690-8550 or visit www.homewatchcaregivers.com.