Oklahoma City is both the capital of the state of Oklahoma and is also the largest city within the state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma City is part of Oklahoma County, and it is the county seat of that county. More than 1.3 million people lived in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area as of 2015, and the city is the 27th largest U.S city in terms of its population. The most recent census revealed that 8.7 percent of households in Oklahoma City were home to a person aged 65 or older living independently.
Parman & Easterday can provide help to seniors, whether those older people live alone, with family, or in a nursing home. We provide guidance and advice on services and support in your area. We are also here to serve as a resource if you have questions and need legal help with estate planning or other issues that become important to you as a senior, such as creating a nursing home plan.
Call us to find out how our legal team can help you and learn how our firm can help you obtain benefits and services within Oklahoma City.
Senior Centers in Oklahoma City
Within Oklahoma City, seniors have several senior centers where they can take advantage of various programs. Some of the centers which seniors could visit include:
- MAPS 3 Senior Health and Wellness Centers: According to the website of the Oklahoma City government, there will be several centers that are available to connect seniors in Oklahoma City with “important services and also with each other.” These senior centers will be located in different areas throughout the city, with the first center located at 11501 North Rockwell Avenue. There are expected to be a total of four different senior health centers when the project is totally complete, with the last of the senior centers expected to open in 2021.
- The Will Rogers Senior Citizens Center, which is located at 3501 Pat Murphy Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73112. This Center is located in Will Rogers Park. Seniors aged 55 and older are encouraged to attend events and activities at this Center.
Seniors can visit senior centers to stay connected to their communities and help maintain their independence longer, since these Centers can provide nutrition support and other health services.
Other Resources for Seniors in Oklahoma City
While senior centers provide an important place for older people in Oklahoma City to connect to each other, seniors may also need other support and services as well. The Oklahoma City Department of Parks and Recreation provides programs and classes to seniors aged 55 and older. The programs available through the Department of Parks and Recreation include card games, history classes, language learning, travel and field trips, yoga, meditation and more.
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services also has a section devoted to Aging Services on its website. From this web page, you can find information about adult day services, long-term care help, the Senior Corps program in the state of Oklahoma, and the Senior Community Service Employment Program. You can also learn about transportation services that Oklahoma City and other locations throughout the state of Oklahoma make available to seniors who may need help getting around because they are no longer easily able to drive on their own.
Estate Planning Resources for Oklahoma City Seniors
While seniors can attend events and can take advantage of community programs to enhance their quality of life, they also need to plan ahead for a future that is uncertain. Seniors should make plans for what they want their legacy to be, and should work with an experienced attorney to make certain they have plans in place for incapacity.
There are resources that can help seniors to learn about the incapacity planning process, but there is no substitute for personalized legal advice when it comes to making plans for the future. Some of the resources that you can reference include:
- Wills and Trusts: This Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet provides an introduction to wills and trusts, explains the probate process and also offers some basic insight into how estate planning works in Oklahoma.
- Oklahoma Statutes: Oklahoma’s laws – including laws related to wills, trusts, and the probate process, can be found on the website of the Oklahoma Legislature. Title 84 is the Title of the Oklahoma Statutes which relates to wills and succession.
- Advanced Directives: The Oklahoma Department of Health and Human Services provides forms that can be used to provide instructions regarding your medical care. Advanced directives such as a living will give you the ability to control what kinds of medical care you wish to receive, or wish to decline, when a serious medical situation arises. For example, you can direct that you be given life sustaining treatment and that you wish to be artificially administered nutrition or you can decline these types of life-extending treatments.
While these resources will provide you with basic insight into how estate planning works in Oklahoma City, you should make certain you reach out to an experienced attorney to get advice specific to your situation and ensure you use the right legal tools for your particular circumstances.
Contact an Oklahoma City Elder Law Attorney
An Oklahoma City elder law attorney at Parman & Easterday can provide you with personalized one-on-one help to enhance your quality of life today and make plans for tomorrow. We can help you take advantage of community-based programs, qualify for important benefits, and put your plans in place to protect yourself and your loved ones no matter what the future brings.
To find out more about all of the services our legal team can offer you, join us for a free seminar. You can also give us a call today at (405) 843-6100 or contact us online to get personalized help and advice with the estate planning process.
