Long-Term Care Planning
for New York & New Jersey Families
At $14,000+ per month, nursing home care can devastate a lifetime of savings in just a few years. Our elder law attorneys help NY and NJ families build a plan that secures quality care — at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing facility — without sacrificing financial security.
Most calls answered immediately. Same-day scheduling available.
Without a Plan, Your Family Bears All of It
Most families underestimate both the likelihood and cost of needing long-term care. In New York and New Jersey — some of the most expensive care markets in the country — the financial consequences of no plan can be catastrophic within just a few years.
A two-year nursing home stay costs an average of $336,000 in New York — and that's at today's rates, which typically rise 3–5% annually. Home aides often cost $8,000–$12,000 per month for full-time coverage.
The U.S. Department of Health estimates that 70% of people over 65 will need some form of long-term care. Yet most families have no written plan — and discover the cost only when it's urgent.
Medicare covers only short-term skilled nursing care after a qualifying hospital stay — not custodial or long-term care. Most families discover this gap only when they receive the first nursing home invoice.
Medicaid planning requires 30–60 months of advance preparation. Long-term care insurance becomes unavailable after certain diagnoses. Powers of attorney must be signed while you still have legal capacity. Every month of delay narrows your family's options. Call today for a free review of where you stand.
What Is Long-Term Care Planning?
Long-term care planning is a comprehensive approach to preparing for the possibility that you or a loved one will need extended assistance — whether due to aging, illness, or disability. It addresses where care will be provided, how it will be paid for, and who will make decisions on your behalf if you can no longer do so.
A complete long-term care plan integrates legal documents, financial strategies, and family coordination into a coherent whole — so that when care is needed, your family is prepared rather than scrambling.
The Levels of Long-Term Care
- Home Care — Aides, nurses, and therapists who provide care in your own home. NY Medicaid's MLTSS program can cover home care for qualifying individuals. Has a 30-month Medicaid look-back in New York.
- Assisted Living — Residential communities providing help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medications). Partially covered by some long-term care insurance; generally not covered by Medicaid in the standard sense.
- Memory Care — Specialized facilities for individuals with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Costs are typically higher than standard assisted living.
- Nursing Home / Skilled Nursing Facility — The highest level of residential care. Covered by Medicaid for those who qualify. 60-month look-back in both New York and New Jersey.
Legal Documents Every Long-Term Care Plan Needs
- Durable Power of Attorney — Authorizes someone to manage your financial affairs if you lose capacity. Must be signed while you have legal capacity.
- Healthcare Proxy / Medical Power of Attorney — Designates who makes medical decisions for you if you cannot.
- Living Will / Advance Directive — Documents your wishes for end-of-life medical treatment.
- Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) — Protects assets for a spouse or heirs while creating a pathway to Medicaid eligibility.
Medicare vs. Medicaid: Understanding the Difference
Medicare covers only short-term skilled nursing care (up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay) — not long-term custodial care. Medicaid covers long-term nursing home and home care for those who meet financial eligibility. Long-term care planning primarily focuses on Medicaid strategies, supplemented by long-term care insurance where appropriate.
| Care Type | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Home Health Aide (FT) | $8,000–$12,000 |
| Adult Day Program | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Assisted Living | $4,000–$9,000 |
| Memory Care | $6,000–$12,000 |
| Nursing Home (semi-priv.) | $12,000–$16,000 |
| Nursing Home (private rm.) | $15,000–$20,000 |
Get a personalized estimate of what a plan could protect for your family — free review, no commitment.
Call 516-518-8586Our Long-Term Care Planning Process
A thorough, three-step approach that addresses care, finances, and legal authority together.
We review your assets, income, health, family situation, and care preferences — mapping out what level of care you may need, what it will cost, and what gaps exist in your current plan.
We design a plan covering Medicaid eligibility strategy, asset protection, critical legal documents, and coordination with any long-term care insurance you may have.
We draft and execute all documents, fund any trusts, and schedule periodic reviews to update your plan as your health, family, or assets change over time.
Long-Term Care Planning Services
Why Families Choose Our Long-Term Care Attorneys
We address every dimension of long-term care planning in one engagement — legal documents, Medicaid strategy, asset protection, and family coordination — so nothing falls through the cracks.
Long-term care rules differ significantly between New York and New Jersey. Our attorneys practice in both states — one firm for families whose lives span the Hudson.
Whether you're planning proactively or a loved one is facing immediate care needs, we know the strategies that work at every stage — and we'll tell you honestly what's achievable.
We serve families in English, Spanish, and Russian — because critical decisions about care and finances must be made in the language you think in, not the language the attorney prefers.
We've helped thousands of families navigate the maze of long-term care options, Medicaid regulations, and care decisions. Our experience means faster, more reliable outcomes for your family.
We offer a complimentary review of your situation — no charge, no obligation. You'll leave with a clear picture of what a plan would protect for your family.
Families We've Helped Plan for Care
"My father was diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson's and we knew care would be needed eventually. NY Wills & Estates helped us establish a trust, update his power of attorney, and create a clear plan. Three years later when he needed home care, everything was already in place."
"When my mother had a stroke, we had no documents, no plan, and no idea how to pay for her care. NY Wills & Estates helped us apply for emergency guardianship, restructure her assets through crisis planning, and get her into Medicaid. They were lifesavers."
"We started planning in our 70s, before any health issues. Established a Medicaid trust, updated our powers of attorney, and reviewed our LTC insurance. Now in our mid-80s, we have home care covered and our children won't face any financial burden."
Long-Term Care Planning FAQ
Serving New York & New Jersey
We have offices in Manhattan and Hackensack — convenient for families throughout the metro area.
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Don't Leave Long-Term Care to Chance
A conversation with our elder law attorneys today could protect hundreds of thousands in savings for your family. Your first consultation is completely free — no obligation, no pressure.
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