There may come a time when you (or a loved one) needs long-term care. It is something that all families should be prepared to take on. A big challenge is that long-term care—and especially full-time nursing home care—is extraordinarily expensive. According to data from Senior Living, the average cost of a private room in a nursing home in Indiana is now higher than $100,000 per year.
A proactive care plan is a must. Not only can it help to ensure you or your loved one has access to the right care, but a comprehensive plan can also ensure that health needs and other issues are being handled the right way. Here, our Greenfield elder law attorney highlights the essential steps to take for effective nursing home planning in Indiana.
Six Key Steps to Develop a Reliable Nursing Home Care Plan
- Start as Early as Possible (Ideally Before There Is an Imminent Need)
The best way to develop a strategy for nursing home care is to put a plan in place before there is an emergency. The sooner you and your family develop a plan, the better. Planning ahead for nursing home care can ease the burden on families and ensure loved ones receive the support they need. A key advantage is that starting early allows everyone— seniors and their family members—to make thoughtful, informed decisions without the pressure of a crisis. It creates time to talk openly about preferences, needs, and concerns.
Key Point: Early planning also allows you to explore financial and care options without feeling rushed. There are more options available to protect your financial interests if you start the nursing home planning process before there is an imminent need.
- Develop a Financial Strategy for Protecting Assets While Accessing Care
As noted, nursing home cases are extremely expensive. Even a relatively short period of nursing home care can eat away at a significant portion of your life savings. Long-term care is a major financial commitment. Here is the good news: Planning ahead can help protect assets while still accessing high-quality services. With that in mind, seniors and families in Indiana should consult with professionals to explore options like Medicaid planning, long-term care insurance, and the use of trusts or other legal tools. A well-crafted financial strategy helps seniors preserve what they have worked hard for while ensuring care is available when needed.
Long-Term Care Planning Tip (Medicaid): In Indiana, Medicaid can help cover long-term nursing home care, but there are strict income and asset limits. To qualify, a single applicant generally must have under $2,000 in countable assets. The state enforces a 5-year lookback period to prevent people from giving away assets just to qualify. However, asset protection strategies—like setting up a Medicaid-compliant trust at least five years before nursing home care is needed—can help.
- Carefully Assess Current (and Future) Long-Term Care Needs
Not every nursing home patient—or potential nursing home patient—has the same needs. Every person has unique health and lifestyle needs, and those needs often change over time. Developing a reliable care plan starts with understanding where things stand now. You and your family should consider physical health, cognitive condition, emotional well-being, and social support systems. It is generally best practice to talk to medical providers and involve loved ones in the discussion. By anticipating future challenges, families can avoid being caught off guard.
- Thoroughly Research All Available Options for Care
There are a number of options for long-term care/nursing home care available. Indeed, Indiana families have many choices when it comes to nursing home care. Some vulnerable seniors may simply need some help from an in-home health aide. Other senior citizens may need full-time care from a private duty nurse in a nursing home.
You and your family should take the time to explore all available options. Among other things, this means taking the time to visit potential facilities, talk with staff, and read reviews. You should ask about staff-to-resident ratios, activities, medical services, and safety measures. If possible, bring the senior loved one along to get their input. Finding the right fit is not just about availability—it is about comfort, care, respect, and more.
- Create a Plan for Communication (Family, Friends, Medical Providers, etc)
Communication is one of the keys to effective nursing home care for a senior. Indeed, consistent and open communication is essential for quality care. With that in mind, families should set up a clear plan for who will communicate with nursing home staff, how updates will be shared, and what to do if any problems arise.
Nursing Home Care Planning Tip: Regular check-ins with loved ones also help seniors feel supported and connected, not isolated. Whether it is a weekly call, an in-person visit, or a group chat update, communication keeps everyone informed and engaged.
- Review and Update the Nursing Home Care Plan as Needed
Finally, it is important to remember that a nursing home care plan/long-term care plan is not something you set once and forget. Things change. Indeed, for vulnerable seniors, things can change extremely quickly. For example, health conditions can change, medications may need to be adjusted, and emotional needs often shift over time. Families should commit to regular reviews—at least once a year or anytime something major changes. These check-ins ensure that care continues to align with the senior’s best interests and preferences.
Nursing Home Care Planning Tip: Updating the plan is also an opportunity to reaffirm goals, strengthen communication, and resolve issues early. With ongoing attention, your nursing home care plan stays reliable, compassionate, and fully focused on what matters most.
We Provide Elder Law Support in Greenfield, Indianapolis, and Beyond
At White & Jocham, our Indiana elder law attorneys have the knowledge and experience that you can trust. If you have any questions about the essential steps for effective nursing home planning, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a fully confidential, no-obligation consultation. With an office in Greenfield, we provide nursing home planning services in Indianapolis and throughout the broader region in Indiana.
