Long-term care planning for yourself in Southeastern Massachusetts is about maintaining control over your finances, medical decisions, and future care if your health or independence changes. Even if you are single, healthy, or financially stable, planning ahead lets you decide who will act on your behalf and how your assets will be used, rather than leaving those decisions to Massachusetts law or the courts. At Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C., we help individuals across Southeastern Massachusetts create long-term care plans that protect independence, reduce risk, and reflect personal priorities.
Why Choose Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes?
Long-term care planning works best when it is tailored to your circumstances and addressed before urgent decisions arise. Our approach focuses on clarity, coordination, and planning that reflects how people actually live and plan for their futures.
- Long-term care planning designed for individuals who are planning for themselves
- Careful application of Massachusetts Medicaid rules to support future care and asset protection
- Coordinated plans that align legal authority, health care decisions, and financial considerations
- Proactive planning that addresses long-term care concerns before a crisis forces decisions
- Clear, practical guidance for clients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts
What Does Long-Term Care Planning for Yourself Involve?
Long-term care planning addresses what happens if you need assistance with daily living, medical care, or supervision due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline. Planning early gives you more choices and reduces the likelihood of rushed decisions.
A long-term care plan may address:
- Where and how care will be provided if you can no longer live independently
- How care will be paid for without exhausting your assets
- Who will manage your finances and medical decisions if you cannot
- How to reduce the need for court involvement
For individuals planning for themselves, these decisions often carry more weight because there may not be a spouse or adult child ready to step in without legal authority.
How Estate Planning and Long-Term Care Planning Work Together
Estate planning and long-term care planning serve different purposes but work best when coordinated. Estate planning addresses asset management and decision-making, while long-term care planning focuses on funding and access to care during life.
A coordinated plan often includes:
- A will or trust to manage assets
- Durable powers of attorney for financial decision-making
- Health care proxies and medical instructions
- Planning tools that address potential long-term care costs
Together, these documents allow you to control who can act on your behalf and how decisions are made if you are unable to speak for yourself.
Planning for the Cost of Long-Term Care in Massachusetts
Nursing home care and assisted living can cost well over $100,000 per year, and those costs can quickly drain savings. Long-term care planning helps address how care will be funded without forcing unnecessary asset loss.
Options may include:
- Medicaid planning to help qualify for benefits while protecting certain assets
- Advance planning strategies that comply with Massachusetts rules and timelines
- Evaluating whether care can be provided at home or in community settings
Because Medicaid has strict income limits and a five-year lookback period, planning ahead is especially important.
Choosing Who Makes Decisions If You Cannot
If you become incapacitated without legal documents in place, the court may appoint a guardian or conservator to make decisions for you. Long-term care planning allows you to choose who will act on your behalf and set boundaries for that authority.
Common planning tools include:
- Health care proxy to appoint someone to make medical decisions
- Advance directive (living will) to document treatment preferences
- Durable power of attorney for financial and legal decisions
These documents reduce uncertainty and give trusted individuals clear authority when it is needed most.
Planning Ahead as a Single Individual
Being single often increases the importance of planning, because there may be no spouse with automatic authority to step in when decisions are needed.
Planning ahead helps ensure:
- Your assets are managed according to your wishes
- Your care preferences are respected
- Trusted individuals can step in without court delays
- State involvement is limited
We work with individuals who want clarity and control over their future, regardless of marital or family status.
How We Help with Long-Term Care Planning
Our work focuses on helping you make informed decisions before a change in health or care needs limits your options.
- Understand your long-term care planning options
- Address Medicaid eligibility concerns
- Prepare legally effective documents
- Adjust plans as your circumstances change
Start Planning for Your Future Today
Long-term care planning is not only about later life. It is about protecting your independence and choices now. We help individuals throughout Southeastern Massachusetts create plans that reflect their goals.
Contact Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C. to schedule a confidential consultation and begin building a long-term care plan designed around your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need long-term care planning if I am healthy now?
Yes. Planning early gives you more options and reduces the risk of rushed decisions later.
Can I update my long-term care plan over time?
Yes. Plans should be reviewed periodically and updated when your health, finances, or goals change.
Is Medicaid planning only for people with limited assets?
No. Many individuals with significant assets use planning strategies to preserve resources while preparing for future care needs.