Complete Guide to Caregiver and Family Agreements for Families in Rutherford County
Navigating caregiver and family agreements can feel overwhelming for families in Christiana and across Rutherford County. These agreements document expectations, responsibilities, and compensation for caregivers who assist aging relatives, and they help prevent misunderstandings that can damage relationships. At Jay Johnson Law Firm we assist families with clear, practical agreement drafting and review so everyone involved understands duties, schedules, boundaries, and payment arrangements. Properly written agreements also help preserve family harmony and protect the elder’s financial security while ensuring the caregiver’s role is clearly defined and respected.
Families often turn to caregiver and family agreements when informal arrangements begin to affect finances, tax reporting, or estate planning objectives. A thoughtful agreement can address daily care tasks, transportation, medical decision involvement, and whether caregiving will be paid or exchanged for inheritance considerations. In Christiana and surrounding Tennessee communities, these written agreements serve as a bridge between family intentions and legal clarity, helping to document what was agreed upon and reducing future disputes. Jay Johnson Law Firm can help craft language that reflects family priorities while coordinating with broader estate planning documents.
Why Caregiver and Family Agreements Matter for Christiana Families
Caregiver and family agreements provide practical benefits beyond emotional reassurance. They clarify expectations for daily care, establish payment terms and tax considerations, and preserve transparency about decision making and house rules. For families in Tennessee, written agreements can reduce the likelihood of family conflict, support eligibility for certain benefits, and create a record that courts and agencies can review if questions arise. Well-drafted agreements protect the older adult’s assets and the caregiver’s rights, creating a foundation of trust and predictability that benefits everyone involved in long-term care arrangements.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Family Care Agreements
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves families across Tennessee, including Christiana and Rutherford County, by providing practical estate planning and elder law services with a focus on clear communication and client-centered solutions. Our approach is to listen closely to family dynamics, financial realities, and the elder’s wishes, then translate those elements into caregiver agreements that are fair, enforceable, and consistent with other planning documents. We prioritize guiding clients through choices and trade-offs so families can make informed decisions without confusion or unnecessary legal complexity.
Understanding Caregiver and Family Agreements: What They Do and Why They Help
Caregiver and family agreements are written contracts that lay out the duties and terms for an individual who provides care to a family member. These agreements can cover daily tasks, work hours, compensation or compensation alternatives, recordkeeping for expenses, and expectations around medical appointments and communications. In addition to documenting responsibilities, they can set dispute resolution steps, clarify whether caregiving is temporary or long term, and address how care arrangements interact with benefits and estate planning. For families in Christiana, a written agreement replaces confusion with clarity and helps protect both the caregiver and the older adult.
A properly drafted caregiver agreement also considers tax and public benefit implications that may arise from paying a family member or compensating them through changes in inheritance. It can specify whether compensation is wages subject to payroll taxes or a household support arrangement, and help families track hours and duties for transparency. Agreements can be tailored to preserve Medicaid or veterans benefits when applicable by structuring payments and documenting the necessity of services. Jay Johnson Law Firm helps families evaluate these considerations in the context of Tennessee law and the elder’s broader financial plan.
Defining Caregiver and Family Agreements
A caregiver and family agreement is a written document that outlines the relationship between a caregiver and the person receiving care, typically a relative. It explains what care will be provided, when and where services occur, how compensation will be handled, and other logistics such as time off and replacements. The agreement also may specify duties like medication reminders, personal care, transportation, or coordination with medical providers. Drafting these terms clearly reduces misunderstandings and creates a formal record that supports both family harmony and legal clarity, especially when other planning documents are in place.
Key Elements and Typical Process for Creating an Agreement
When creating a caregiver agreement, families typically address who will provide care, a detailed list of tasks, the schedule and expected time commitment, compensation method and amount if applicable, duration and renewal terms, and methods for documenting hours or expenses. The process often begins with a family meeting to agree on goals, followed by drafting a written document, reviewing its interaction with the elder’s estate plan and public benefits, and signing the agreement in a manner that reflects the parties’ intentions. Regular review and updates keep the agreement aligned with changing care needs.
Glossary: Key Terms to Know About Caregiver and Family Agreements
Understanding common terms helps families make informed decisions when drafting caregiver agreements. This glossary explains phrases you are likely to encounter, such as compensation terms, benefit impact, durable powers of attorney, and documentation practices. Knowing these terms helps you evaluate how a caregiver arrangement will affect taxes, benefits, and estate plans, and enables clearer conversations with caregivers and other family members. If questions arise about any term or how it applies in Tennessee, consulting with a lawyer can help align the agreement with your family’s objectives while avoiding unintended consequences.
Compensation and Payment
Compensation in a caregiver agreement refers to any monetary or value-based exchange provided to the caregiver for services rendered. This may be regular pay, a stipend for expenses, or an arrangement tied to inheritance or housing. Clear language about whether payments constitute wages, household support, or gifts is important for tax reporting and potential effects on benefit eligibility. Documenting hours worked and tasks performed supports transparency and records needed for tax purposes or if a question arises later about the nature of the relationship between caregiver and recipient.
Duration and Termination
Duration addresses how long the caregiving arrangement will last and whether it is ongoing, temporary, or conditional on events like recovery or decline. Termination provisions explain how either party may end the arrangement and steps for notice or replacement caregivers. Including clear duration and termination terms protects both parties by setting expectations about commitment and transition, and helps families plan for contingencies such as hospitalization, changes in care needs, or the need to find alternate care providers without abrupt disruptions to the elder’s support.
Documentation and Recordkeeping
Documentation and recordkeeping outline what records the caregiver should maintain, such as hours worked, services provided, receipts for expenses, and notes about medical appointments. Proper records help justify compensation decisions, support tax reporting when payments are wages, and provide a trail that demonstrates the caregiver’s contributions. They also assist families and planners in coordinating benefits and ensuring consistency with other legal documents. Clear recordkeeping expectations reduce disputes and make periodic reviews of the caregiving arrangement more productive.
Interaction with Public Benefits
An important consideration is how caregiver payments or transfers affect eligibility for public benefits like Medicaid or veterans aid. Agreements should be structured to avoid unintended disqualification from income- or asset-based benefits while still compensating caregivers fairly. This may involve particular wording, timing of payments, or alternative supports that do not count against benefit thresholds. Families should evaluate benefit rules and plan caregiver compensation with an eye toward preserving necessary supports for the elder while honoring reasonable caregiver arrangements.
Comparing Limited Versus Comprehensive Approaches to Caregiver Agreements
When planning caregiver arrangements, families can choose a limited approach that focuses on immediate tasks and informal written notes, or a comprehensive approach that integrates caregiving terms with broader estate and benefit planning. A limited agreement is faster and may suffice if the arrangement is short term and all parties communicate well. A comprehensive approach anticipates tax, benefits, and inheritance implications and provides detailed documentation that can prevent disputes. The best option depends on the complexity of care, the involvement of payment or asset transfers, and the family’s desire for formal protections and clarity.
When a Short, Limited Agreement May Be Appropriate:
Short-Term or Informal Care Needs
A limited agreement can work well when care is expected to be temporary, the caregiver is a close family member, and no regular compensation or asset transfers are involved. In these situations, a simple written note that outlines basic duties, expected hours, and a short duration can reduce misunderstandings while avoiding complex legal work. This approach can be appropriate for rehabilitation after surgery or a short-term increase in care needs, provided everyone involved understands the arrangement and intends to revisit it if care becomes longer term.
Low Financial and Benefit Risk
A limited approach is often acceptable when compensation is minimal or nonmonetary and the elder’s public benefits will not be affected. If the arrangement does not alter income or assets materially and all family members are in agreement about the terms, a straightforward agreement may be enough. Clear expectations and basic documentation of time and duties still help avoid later disputes, but families can keep the process simple when the financial stakes and long-term implications are low.
When to Use a Comprehensive Caregiver Agreement:
Compensation, Tax, or Benefit Implications
A comprehensive caregiver agreement is advisable when compensation is significant, payments could affect tax liabilities, or public benefit eligibility is at risk. Detailed agreements help document the nature of payments, establish whether they are wages or household support, and allow families to structure arrangements that minimize adverse effects on Medicaid or veterans benefits. A more thorough approach also helps when caregiving overlaps with estate or long-term care planning, ensuring that compensation arrangements align with the elder’s overall financial strategy and legal documents.
Complex Family Dynamics or Long-Term Care
When caregiving is expected to last for years or when family relationships are complicated, a comprehensive agreement provides clarity and reduces the chance of later disputes. Detailed provisions can address backup caregiving, dispute resolution, changes in responsibilities, and interactions with other estate planning elements. This depth of planning helps families anticipate transitions, document expectations for heirs, and create a consistent record that reflects the elder’s wishes and the family’s practical needs over time.
Benefits of Taking a Comprehensive Approach to Caregiver Agreements
A comprehensive caregiver agreement offers protection and clarity by covering compensation, duties, documentation, and interaction with public benefits and estate plans. It reduces ambiguity about responsibilities, helps protect both the caregiver and the older adult from misunderstandings, and documents arrangements in a form that can be used for tax reporting or to support benefit applications. Families in Christiana benefit from comprehensive plans that coordinate caregiving with medical directives and powers of attorney for a cohesive approach to long-term care.
Comprehensive agreements also support family relationships by establishing clear dispute resolution steps and regular review processes. When everyone knows the terms and how changes will be handled, tensions that arise from shifting care needs are easier to manage. Detailed records and defined processes make transitions smoother if care needs evolve or if a new caregiver is needed. For many families, the long-term peace of mind and predictability provided by a thorough written agreement outweigh the time spent developing it.
Financial Clarity and Protection
A comprehensive agreement clarifies how compensation will be handled and documents services in a way that supports transparent financial management. That clarity helps families avoid disputes over payments or undocumented expectations and provides material that can be relevant for tax purposes or benefit reviews. It also protects the elder’s assets by ensuring that payments and transfers align with broader planning goals and do not inadvertently cause loss of necessary benefits. Clear financial terms promote accountability and mutual trust among family members.
Coordination with Estate and Benefits Planning
Integrating a caregiver agreement with estate planning documents ensures that the arrangement works with powers of attorney, advance directives, and beneficiary designations. This coordination helps prevent conflicting instructions and preserves eligibility for public benefits where possible. A comprehensive agreement also facilitates communication with financial and medical professionals so that caregiving decisions support the elder’s overall plan. Families get a more cohesive approach to long-term care when agreements align with existing legal and financial arrangements.
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Practical Tips for Managing Caregiver and Family Agreements
Document Duties and Hours Clearly
When drafting a caregiver agreement, be precise about daily and weekly duties, expected hours, and how schedule changes are handled. Clear descriptions of responsibilities reduce ambiguity and make it easier to track work for compensation or taxation purposes. Encourage caregivers to keep simple logs of tasks and hours so that everyone has a record to refer to in case of questions. This transparency supports fair treatment and reduces potential conflicts, particularly when multiple family members are involved in oversight or financial support.
Consider Benefit and Tax Consequences
Review and Update Regularly
Care needs often evolve, so schedule regular reviews of the caregiver agreement to ensure it still meets the elder’s needs and family expectations. Update terms when responsibilities change, when compensation needs adjustment, or when new health developments occur. Regular communication and revision reduce the likelihood of disputes and make transitions smoother if care becomes more intensive or if a different caregiver steps in. Written amendments keep the agreement current and preserve the intended protections for both parties.
Reasons Families in Christiana Should Consider a Caregiver Agreement
Families should consider a caregiver agreement when informal arrangements begin to strain relationships, when payments or inheritance exchanges are involved, or when care responsibilities grow beyond what was originally expected. A written agreement clarifies roles and reduces disputes that can arise when expectations differ. It also serves as a practical record for tax reporting and benefit planning, helping families align caregiving with broader financial and estate decisions. In Rutherford County, establishing clear terms helps maintain family unity while protecting the elder’s wellbeing.
Another reason to pursue a formal agreement is to protect the caregiver and the person receiving care by documenting contingency plans and dispute resolution steps. This is especially important when multiple family members share responsibilities or when compensation is paid. A written plan ensures everyone understands how decisions will be made, who will step in under different circumstances, and how changes to the arrangement will be handled. That foresight reduces uncertainty and supports continuity of care during difficult transitions.
Common Situations That Make Caregiver Agreements Helpful
Typical situations that call for caregiver agreements include long-term care needs after a chronic illness, when a family member moves in to provide daily assistance, when payments for care are expected, or when competing family views about responsibilities exist. Agreements are also useful when coordinating care with medical teams or when benefit eligibility is a concern. In each case, written terms provide clarity about duties, compensation, and documentation so families can focus on care rather than disputes.
Transition from Hospital to Home Care
When an older adult returns home after hospitalization, initial care needs can expand quickly and family roles may be unclear. A caregiver agreement documents who will provide follow-up care, how therapy and medication reminders will be managed, and whether paid support is required. Establishing precise duties and expectations during this transition reduces stress for the recovering adult and their family members, and ensures continuity of care while longer-term plans are developed.
Long-Term Family Caregiving Arrangements
If a family member anticipates providing care for months or years, a written caregiver agreement helps set boundaries and expectations for both parties. Long-term arrangements often involve scheduling, potential compensation, and coordination with medical providers, so documenting these elements avoids confusion and provides a basis for periodic review. Clear agreements also facilitate planning for backup caregivers and eventual transitions if the primary caregiver can no longer continue.
Compensation or Asset Considerations
When compensation is paid or when caregiving is tied to inheritance or housing arrangements, a written agreement is essential to document intentions and protect the elder’s estate plan. Properly recording payments, defining whether they are wages or support, and tracking services provided helps avoid disputes and potential challenges from other family members. Thoughtful documentation also assists with tax reporting and may be relevant for public benefit eligibility reviews.
Christiana Caregiver and Family Agreements: Local Legal Support
Jay Johnson Law Firm provides local assistance to families in Christiana and Rutherford County who need caregiver and family agreements that reflect their values and legal needs. We work to understand family circumstances, coordinate with estate plans, and draft clear agreements that describe duties, compensation, documentation, and how arrangements interact with benefits. Our goal is to provide straightforward legal help so families can focus on care rather than worry about ambiguous arrangements or unintended legal consequences.
Why Families Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Caregiver Agreements
Families choose Jay Johnson Law Firm because we provide practical, client-focused guidance tailored to Tennessee law and local circumstances in Rutherford County. We listen to family goals and create written agreements that balance care needs with financial realities and benefit considerations. Our approach emphasizes clarity and durability, ensuring agreements work in harmony with estate planning documents and provide a consistent record of the parties’ intentions over time.
Our work includes reviewing existing estate planning documents, advising on how caregiver compensation may affect taxes or benefits, and proposing language that minimizes misunderstandings. We help families document duties, schedules, and reporting practices so the arrangement is manageable for caregivers and sustainable for the elder. By coordinating caregiving terms with broader planning, we reduce the risk of conflict and support long-term stability for families navigating care.
We also focus on communication and accessibility, explaining options in plain language and making sure clients understand trade-offs involved in different approaches. Whether a family needs a short, straightforward agreement for temporary care or a comprehensive arrangement tied to estate planning, we guide the process and prepare documents that reflect the family’s wishes while aligning with Tennessee legal considerations.
Contact Jay Johnson Law Firm in Christiana to Discuss Your Caregiver Agreement
How Jay Johnson Law Firm Handles Caregiver Agreement Matters
Our process begins with an initial consultation to understand the elder’s needs, family dynamics, and any financial or benefit constraints. We gather information about duties, schedules, and compensation expectations, then draft an agreement that addresses those items and coordinates with estate planning documents. After review and revisions with the family, we finalize the agreement and provide guidance on recordkeeping, tax considerations, and periodic review. This process keeps families informed and ensures the arrangement is documented in a practical, enforceable form.
Step One: Initial Review and Goal Setting
In the first step we meet with the family to identify care needs, the proposed caregiver role, compensation expectations, and any existing legal or financial documents that affect the arrangement. This review clarifies goals and reveals potential issues such as benefit eligibility or tax consequences. Understanding these factors early helps shape an agreement that fits the family’s situation and prevents unanticipated problems down the road.
Family Interview and Information Gathering
We conduct a focused interview with family members to document care tasks, typical schedules, and any medical or mobility needs. Gathering details about current routines, expected duration of care, and whether compensation is planned allows us to draft precise language. We also ask about existing powers of attorney, advance directives, and estate planning documents so the caregiver agreement will coordinate smoothly with other legal instruments.
Benefit and Financial Assessment
We assess how compensation or transfers might affect Medicaid, veterans benefits, and the elder’s tax situation. This includes evaluating asset levels, income, and any assistance programs the elder relies on. Identifying potential impacts early enables us to suggest structures and wording for the agreement that preserve necessary benefits while fairly compensating caregivers when appropriate.
Step Two: Drafting and Review
After gathering information, we draft a caregiver agreement tailored to your family’s needs, then review it with all parties to ensure clarity and mutual understanding. Drafting includes duties, schedule, payment terms, recordkeeping expectations, and dispute resolution language. We advise on wording that reflects the family’s intentions and aligns the agreement with existing estate planning documents and benefit considerations to reduce future conflicts.
Creating Clear Contract Language
We focus on plain, specific language that sets out caregiver duties, compensation details, and responsibilities for documentation. Clear definitions reduce ambiguity about what is expected day to day and how compensation is calculated. This clarity helps caregivers, the elder, and other family members maintain consistent expectations and supports transparent records useful for tax or benefit reviews.
Collaborative Review and Revisions
Once a draft is prepared, we review it with the family and welcome input from the caregiver and other stakeholders. Revisions refine responsibilities, compensation, and contingency plans until all parties understand and accept the terms. This collaborative review lowers the likelihood of disputes and ensures the final agreement reflects the family’s priorities and the elder’s best interests.
Step Three: Finalization and Ongoing Management
The final step includes signing the agreement, advising on recordkeeping practices, and scheduling periodic reviews to adjust terms as care needs change. We explain how to document hours, expenses, and duties so the arrangement remains transparent. When appropriate, we coordinate with other professionals to ensure the agreement remains consistent with tax returns, benefit reporting, and broader estate plans.
Signing and Recordkeeping Guidance
We guide families through formalizing the agreement and establishing simple recordkeeping systems for hours, tasks, and expenses. These records support compensation decisions and provide documentation if questions arise. Clear recordkeeping practices also make it easier to revisit the agreement for necessary updates as care needs evolve.
Periodic Reviews and Amendments
Care arrangements change, so we recommend scheduled reviews to confirm the agreement remains suitable. Amendments can be added as needs shift, compensation changes, or additional family members become involved. Periodic updates maintain the agreement’s relevance and protect both the elder and the caregiver over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caregiver and Family Agreements
What is a caregiver and family agreement and when should we use one?
A caregiver and family agreement is a written document that outlines the duties, schedule, and compensation arrangements between a caregiver and the person receiving care. It is used to clarify expectations, reduce misunderstandings, and document services for tax, benefits, or estate planning purposes. Families commonly use such agreements when care responsibilities increase, when payments or inheritance considerations are involved, or when multiple family members share oversight to ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.You should consider using a caregiver agreement when care becomes more than an informal favor, when compensation is planned, or when benefit eligibility might be affected. The agreement provides a record that supports decision making and helps coordinate caregiving with other legal documents such as wills or powers of attorney. In many cases a written agreement preserves family relationships by making expectations transparent and providing a framework for future review and updates.
Will paying a family caregiver affect Medicaid or other benefits?
Paying a family caregiver can affect benefit eligibility depending on how payments are structured and the particular rules of programs like Medicaid. Direct wages or transfers that increase countable income or assets may jeopardize eligibility. The impact depends on the timing, form of compensation, and whether payments are treated as household support or wages. Families should carefully consider these distinctions and document arrangements clearly to avoid unintended consequences.Consultation with a lawyer can help families structure compensation to minimize risk to public benefits. This may involve alternative arrangements, careful timing of payments, or prioritizing noncountable supports. Well-drafted agreements and precise recordkeeping reduce uncertainty and provide documentation useful for benefit reviews and for explaining the nature of payments if questions arise.
How should compensation for a family caregiver be documented?
Compensation for a family caregiver should be documented with a written agreement that specifies amounts, payment frequency, and the basis for the compensation. Caregivers should keep logs of hours, tasks performed, and receipts for any expenses. Detailed records support transparency, help with tax reporting if payments are wages, and reduce the risk of disputes among family members about the nature or amount of compensation.For tax purposes, documentation may determine whether payments are treated as wages subject to payroll taxes or as household support. Consulting a tax professional in addition to legal counsel ensures that the records and agreement language align with IRS guidance and Tennessee rules. Clear documentation also helps coordinate compensation with the elder’s estate and benefit planning.
Can a caregiver agreement be used to leave property to a caregiver?
A caregiver agreement can document compensation or living arrangements, and some families use agreements in conjunction with estate planning to reflect compensation promises, such as a will provision recognizing caregiving contributions. However, giving property in exchange for care should be handled carefully to avoid claims of undue influence or disputes among heirs. Proper planning ensures that any property transfers intended as compensation are documented and coordinated with the elder’s estate plan.If the family plans to transfer property in recognition of caregiving, working with a lawyer is important to ensure the gift or bequest is clearly expressed in estate documents and supported by contemporaneous records of the caregiving arrangement. This coordination helps to avoid challenges and ensures the elder’s intentions are carried out while protecting the integrity of the estate plan.
Do caregiver agreements need to be notarized or witnessed in Tennessee?
Caregiver agreements do not always require notarization or witnesses in Tennessee to be enforceable as contracts, but having signatures witnessed or notarized can add a layer of formality and may be helpful if questions arise later. Certain related documents, such as deeds or some estate planning instruments, might require notarization. Ensuring the agreement is well-documented and dated improves its weight in discussions and reviews by benefit agencies or courts.Although notarization is not strictly required for most caregiver agreements, families often choose to formalize the document with signatures from the parties and witnesses to demonstrate mutual assent. Legal review ensures the agreement contains necessary terms and that its execution aligns with other legal paperwork the elder may have in place.
How often should a caregiver agreement be reviewed or updated?
Caregiver agreements should be reviewed whenever care needs change, compensation is adjusted, or family circumstances shift. Many families schedule periodic review every year or when a significant health or financial event occurs. Regular reviews ensure the agreement still reflects actual duties, preserves benefit eligibility, and coordinates with any changes in estate planning documents.Updating the agreement promptly when responsibilities or compensation change maintains transparency and reduces disputes. Simple amendments documented in writing and signed by the parties keep the agreement up to date and provide a clear record of changes over time, which is useful for family communication and any necessary legal or administrative reviews.
What should we include to prevent disputes among family members?
To prevent disputes, include clear descriptions of duties, schedules, compensation, recordkeeping requirements, and a process for amending the agreement. Adding dispute resolution steps, such as mediation or family meetings, and specifying how decisions will be made when disagreements arise helps reduce escalation. Clarity around backup caregivers and transition plans also prevents disputes when circumstances change.Transparent communication from the outset and inclusive drafting with input from relevant family members helps build consensus. Documenting decisions and expectations in writing and committing to regular reviews makes it easier to resolve disagreements before they become entrenched, preserving family relationships while protecting the elder’s care needs.
Can a caregiver agreement affect taxes for the caregiver or the elder?
Caregiver compensation can affect taxes for both the caregiver and the elder depending on how payments are classified. If payments qualify as wages, payroll taxes and reporting obligations may apply. If payments are treated as household support or gifts, different tax treatments may follow. Proper documentation and consultation with a tax professional help determine the correct classification and reporting requirements so both parties comply with tax rules.Maintaining clear records of hours worked, payments made, and the basis for compensation supports accurate tax reporting. Legal review of the agreement can also clarify the intended nature of payments, helping to avoid misclassification and reducing the risk of future tax disputes or penalties.
What happens if the caregiver can no longer provide care?
If a caregiver can no longer provide care due to illness, relocation, or other reasons, the agreement should include contingency plans that describe how a replacement caregiver will be selected and how responsibilities will be transitioned. Clear transition language and backup arrangements reduce disruption for the person receiving care and provide a roadmap for family members during a stressful period.Formalizing a process for replacing caregivers and updating the agreement quickly ensures continuity of care. Regular reviews and open communication also help identify potential replacements early and reduce the urgency of unexpected transitions, supporting smoother handoffs and continued care stability.
How does a caregiver agreement interact with powers of attorney and advance directives?
Caregiver agreements should be coordinated with powers of attorney and advance directives to ensure responsibilities are consistent and do not conflict. Powers of attorney and medical directives set out decision-making authority and medical preferences, while caregiver agreements address day-to-day support. Aligning these documents avoids contradictions about who makes decisions and who carries out care tasks.During drafting, review existing estate planning instruments to confirm that care responsibilities, compensation, and authority are aligned. This coordination helps ensure the elder’s wishes are honored and that caregivers operate within the appropriate legal and decision-making framework established by the elder.