Life Care Planning is a holistic approach in elder law that addresses the numerous challenges presented by long life, illness, and disability. A Life Care Plan (LCP) connects your concerns about long-term care as you travel through the later stages of your life with the knowledge and expertise of a team of certified elder law attorneys, a care coordinator, and a public benefits specialist, who will be with you and your loved ones every step of the way to assist you in making the right choices and answer your questions.
The Life Care Planning Law Firms Association (LCPLFA – www.lcplfa.org) is a national network of law firms that offer legal services, care coordination and advocacy support to help clients and their families respond to the challenges of aging. Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC, is proud to be the only law firm in our area to offer this invaluable service to our community.
Certified Elder Law Attorneys Marianne Kreisher and Marissa Marshall began the LCP program by hiring a social worker with experience dealing with seniors and long-term care. From there, “the pieces all fell into place,” says Kreisher. “We started our LCP practice in mid-2017 and since then, we have assisted numerous families to keep their loved ones at home and out of nursing homes. Without the assistance of our qualified team, these families were certain that placement was necessary. I’m proud that KMA has been able to help these families meet their loved one’s goal of aging in place.”
Our Team
- Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs) have frequently been referred to as the “gold standard” for elder law and special needs planning. The CELA certification is approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and its rigorous requirements ensure that the CELA has the specialized expertise to handle these complicated issues. Currently there are only 58 CELAs in Pennsylvania, and Kreisher Marshall& Associates, LLC, has two – Marianne E. Kreisher and Marissa B. Marshall.
- Elder Care Coordinator (ECC) helps seniors and their families navigate the complicated healthcare continuum. Our ECC, Elaine M. Spicher, BSW, is a social worker with over 20 years of experience helping seniors and their families in a variety of settings. According to Spicher, “The most fulfilling part of being an ECC is having the privilege to support, guide, and assist individuals and families through the healthcare continuum during some of the most difficult times in their lives and letting them know they are not alone.”
- Public Benefits Specialist & Staff work tirelessly to compile the myriad documentation needed to comply with the state’s requirements. Our staff is friendly and helpful and here to set your mind at ease and get answers to your questions.
There are three principal goals of the LCP, which we will help you develop and implement:
- Care Coordination. First and foremost is to focus on your health, safety, and well-being. We help you and your family obtain good care, whether your care is provided at home, a personal care home, or, if necessary, in a nursing home. Spicher, with her extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in the community, is a point of contact for the family and assists in coordinating services to help you take care of your loved one.
- Legal Assistance. We develop an estate plan that strives to meet your goals — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advanced directives, and guardianships, if needed. Our team helps you find resources to pay for good care and helps you spend your money wisely and prudently on your care needs. The LCP protects and preserves the assets you have accumulated during a lifetime of hard work, thrifty behavior, and astute investment decision-making. Attorney Marshall explains, “KMA works with you through the maze of choices and options to find the best, or often, the most comfortable solution to the asset protection problem created by the need to pay for quality long-term care.”
- Patient Advocacy. Our goal is to protect the elder’s right to safe and effective care in the least restrictive environment. We strive to coordinate needed care and community services, offer family education, and serve as the senior’s advocate. This lightens the load for family caregivers, improves the senior’s quality of life, and can even postpone the need for nursing care.
“We work with you to create a Life Care Plan that is customized to fit your needs and desires,” says Marshall. “We provide you with a roadmap to follow to achieve your goals. And, when changes occur, we are there to explain the options and help you navigate those curves.”
To learn more about Life Care Planning and connect with our knowledgeable staff, call Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC, at (570) 784-5211 ext. 2 or e-mail us at [email protected].
