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We’re
so used to our parents living independently that we don’t always notice when
they begin to struggle with handling daily activities. Changes can begin
gradually as they start to slow down, or they can happen quickly, when a parent
has an unexpected diagnosis or accident. No matter if you live across town or
across the country, proactively creating a senior life plan for your parents
will give you peace of mind and allow them to continue to live their lives to
the fullest.
Approaching
aging parents about planning their senior years can be a touchy subject for
everyone involved. As a general rule, it is recommended to start having these
conversations by the time you’re in your forties, or they’re in their seventies
(known as the 40-70 rule). Of course, you know your parents' habits and
personalities best, so you are the best judge of their physical and mental
health. Here are some factors that can determine the appropriate time to
initiate this conversation:
·
Start
the conversation early, using the 40-70 rule, so you have time to make or
change plans based on your parents' needs
·
Create
a comfortable and open environment for the conversation
·
Plan
more than one conversation so you can cover all possible issues
·
Take
notes so you remember what was discussed and can keep track of next steps
·
Keep
a list of all their passwords for accounts such as computer, email, phone, and
cable
Create
a Caregiving Plan
A
caregiving plan will ensure everyone is on the same page about the care needed
and how it will be handled as your parents age. If they require additional
care, consider how you can support their needs. This might involve coordinating
with local caregivers, hiring professionals to assist with certain tasks, or,
if you don’t live nearby, planning regular visits to spend time with them.
·
Have
a caregiving plan ready in case your loved ones need in-home care
·
Discuss
changes to your parents’ healthcare needs with their doctors
·
Research
different caregiving options
·
Find
out if your loved one has any specific needs to maintain their health and
happiness
Health and Medical Care
A
senior life plan starts with understanding your parents’ health statuses and
medical needs. When they are in excellent health, it’s essential that their
care and treatment preferences are detailed in a living will or advanced
directive and discussed with family members. Have this conversation now, during
the planning stage, rather than during a medical emergency.
·
Designate
a healthcare proxy who can speak with doctors on your loved one’s behalf and
make healthcare decisions, especially if they are hospitalized
·
Keep
a list of their medications up to date, including prescriptions,
over-the-counter medications, supplements, and vitamins
·
Keep
a list of your parent's doctors and specialists, including their contact
information
·
Ensure
they are following their doctors’ advice and taking medications as prescribed
·
Make
a note of the closest urgent care facility and hospital
·
Get
to know their primary care physicians
·
Discuss
your parents’ latest check-ups and help schedule upcoming appointments
·
Encourage
your parent to write a living will or advanced directive and keep a copy on
file
Safety
and Living Arrangements
Most
seniors want to remain in their homes as they age, connected to family,
friends, and community. If your parents are able to continue living at home,
consider home remodeling options to help them safely age in place. In addition,
develop an emergency plan with your parents and make sure they know what to do
in case of a natural disaster or other emergency.
·
Evaluate
the safety of their home and make modifications if necessary
·
Review
any mortgage or financial concerns about the home
·
Check
in regularly, either in person, or by phone or video chat
·
Consider
long-term care insurance in case long-term care is ever required
·
Develop
an emergency plan and list of emergency contacts
Social
and Support Network
A
strong social support network helps keep seniors healthy and active and gives
them a sense of connection, belonging, and purpose. This support can include
neighbors, friends, or other family members who can assist your loved one if
needed. If possible, foster connections with their support network to have
reliable contacts in case of emergencies.
·
Encourage
your parents to stay socially engaged and participate in activities that bring
them joy
·
Check
if your parents have a support network in their local community
·
Keep
the name and number of a neighbor who can regularly check on your loved ones
·
Create
a schedule of friends and family who call or regularly video chat
· Ensure your parents have access to reliable transportation when needed, especially if they don’t drive
Review
Finances
Discussing
finances can be tricky. Seniors sometimes want to keep their financial
information private, even from family members. Reassure them that they can keep
exact dollar amounts confidential, but make sure you have access to the
information if you need it. Have them assign a Durable Power of Attorney (POA)
to someone who can make financial decisions on their behalf. When going over
how your parents would like their finances handled, topics to discuss include
outstanding debts, homeownership, savings, and retirement funds.
·
Find
out what financial accounts are open and where they are held
·
Make
a list of advisors’ contact information
·
Ensure
they are making informed decisions about retirement, investments, and insurance
·
Stay
up to date on Social Security benefits
·
Check
that beneficiary designations are current
·
Make
sure your loved ones have a POA representative
·
Streamline
bill paying by setting up automatic payments
·
Ensure
they know how to avoid scams
Gather
Legal Documents
Discussing
and taking care of legal issues while your parents enjoy good health can ensure
everything is planned and understood. Make sure you know where your parents
keep their personal information and important documents in case you need them.
Go over everything together and meet with their estate planner so you can ask
questions about their wishes and how to ensure they are carried out.
·
Discuss
important documents and where they are stored
·
Find
out if your parents have a will and a living will, and where they are located
·
Make
sure their POA for finances and healthcare proxies are in order
·
Read
through their estate plan/will to make sure beneficiaries and responsibilities
are correct and up to date
Review
Insurance Plans
Regularly
review your parents’ insurance policies. It’s essential to know if their
policies are adequate, up to date, and where the accounts are located. This
information can help avoid undue financial burdens during medical emergencies
or accidents.
·
Make
a list of active insurance policies such as auto, home, health, long-term care,
etc.
·
Review
homeowners, auto, and life insurance policies to ensure they are adequate and
up to date
·
Review
health insurance coverage for any policy changes that need to be made based on
current or future needs
Aging Parents Checklist
Although caring for an aging parent often means taking on financial, legal, and other responsibilities, it can also be a time to reflect on happy memories and plan for a future that includes more joyful moments. The aging parent checklist below can help you ensure you’ve got all the bases covered when it comes to life planning and the next steps for your aging loved ones.
Although
caring for an aging parent often means taking on financial, legal, and other
responsibilities, it can also be a time to reflect on happy memories and plan
for a future that includes more joyful moments. The aging parent checklist
below can help you ensure you’ve got all the bases covered when it comes to
life planning and the next steps for your aging loved ones.
|
|
Communication |
·
Have
the conversation early so you have time to make or change plans based on your
parents' needs ·
Create
a comfortable and open environment for the conversation ·
Take
notes so you remember what was discussed and keep track of your next steps ·
Keep
a list of all their passwords for accounts such as computer, email, phone,
and cable |
Health and Medical Care |
·
Designate
a healthcare proxy who can speak with your loved ones’ doctors and make
decisions ·
Keep
an up-to-date list of all their medications, including over-the-counter,
supplements, and vitamins ·
Keep
a list of their doctors and specialists, including their contact
information ·
Ensure
they are taking medications as prescribed ·
Make
a note of the closest urgent care facility and hospital ·
Get
to know their primary care physicians ·
Help
schedule upcoming appointments ·
Encourage
your parent to write a living will and keep a copy on file |
Ensure Safe Living Arrangements |
·
Evaluate
the safety of their home and make modifications if necessary ·
Review
any mortgage or financial concerns about the home ·
Check
in regularly, either in person, or by phone or video chat ·
Consider
buying long-term care insurance ·
Develop
an emergency plan and list of emergency contacts in case of a natural
disaster or other emergency |
Create a Caregiving Plan |
·
Have
a caregiving plan ready in case your loved ones need in-home care ·
Discuss
changes to your parents’ healthcare needs with their doctors ·
Research
different caregiving options ·
Find
out if your loved ones have any specific needs to maintain their health and
happiness |
Social and Support Network |
·
Encourage
your parents to stay socially engaged and participate in activities that
bring them joy ·
Check
if your parents have a support network in their local community ·
Keep
the name and number of a neighbor who can regularly check on your loved ones ·
Create
a schedule of friends and family who call or regularly video chat ·
Ensure
your parents have access to reliable transportation when needed, especially
if they don’t drive |
Review Finances |
·
Find
out what financial accounts are open and where they are held ·
Make
a list of advisors’ contact information ·
Ensure
they are making informed decisions about retirement, investments, and
insurance ·
Stay
up to date on Social Security benefits ·
Check
that beneficiary designations are current ·
Make
sure your loved ones have a POA representative ·
Streamline
bill paying by setting up automatic payments ·
Ensure
they know how to avoid scams |
Gather Legal Documents |
·
Discuss
important documents and where they are stored ·
Find
out if your parents have a will and living will, and where they are located ·
Make
sure their POA for finances and healthcare proxies are in order ·
Read
through their estate plan/will to make sure beneficiaries and
responsibilities are correct and up to date |
Review Insurance Plans |
·
Make
a list of active insurance policies such as auto, home, health, long-term
care, etc. ·
Review
homeowners, auto, and life insurance policies to ensure they are adequate and
up to date ·
Review
health insurance coverage regularly for any policy changes that need to be
made as needs change |
Review Insurance Plans |
·
Make
a list of active insurance policies such as auto, home, health, long-term
care, etc. ·
Review
homeowners, auto, and life insurance policies to ensure they are adequate and
up to date ·
Review
health insurance coverage regularly for any policy changes that need to be
made as needs change |
This
checklist gives seniors and their families a way to confidently and
purposefully navigate the next few years. We offer resources with helpful
information and insights that help you care for your loved ones so they can
experience all that life has to offer. And if they need in-home care, we can
provide compassionate care that focuses on connection and purpose and
experiencing more joy every day. To learn more, contact us today.
Being a caregiver is a role that millions undertake out of love, dedication and necessity. Whether its an unpaid family caregiver or someone who has chosen a caregiving career, the role is critical to those who need help. Understanding some of the challenges caregivers face helps to appreciate their work. Emotional Weight - Caregivers often carry emotional burdens. They may experience feeling guilt, when they theyre not doing enough or when they take time for themselves. As a loved onesor a clientshealth fluctuates, the resulting emotional swings can cause stress and anxiety. Physical Toll - Physical demands of caregiving are often underestimated. Caregivers may do things like household tasks or keeping the care recipient comfortable. But if the care recipient has mobility issues, the caregiver may need to help them transfer from their bed to the toilet. Over time, these responsibilities can lead to physical strain and exhaustion. Financial Strain - Often caregivers provide care without pay, they will incur expenses related to the care of their loved ones - compounded if the caregiver has to reduce hours or even quit their job to provide care. Social Isolation - The time and energy demand often limit the caregivers ability to maintain social relationships, making them feel lonely and disconnected. Juggling Act - Many caregivers must balance the needs of the person theyre caring for, needs of the family while juggling employment. Recognition and Support - Caregiving is often not seen as real work, caregivers may struggle to find adequate resources, support and respite care. Right at Home of Mesa, Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties is here to help! Our trained caregivers can help with a range of services, from meal preparation and light housekeeping to assistance with hygiene and mobility. Editors Note: This article was submitted by David McKendry, President of Right at Home Grand Junction. He may be reached at 970-697-1331 or by email at David@gjhomecare.com. See ad on page
Caring for others is often driven by motivations of love and understanding. Its not uncommon for family caregivers to initially feel that their capacity for helping those they love is nearly limitless. From taking care of finances and managing medications to preparing meals and cleaning, theres certainly a sense of fulfillment that comes along with assisting a loved one. But many find themselves going through the motions of caring without taking time out to focus on their own needs often to the point of physical and emotional exhaustion. As a result, family caregivers may feel something theyve never experienced before: decreased empathy. This condition is known as compassion fatigue. In decades past, compassion fatigue was seen primarily in healthcare professionals but as the countrys aging population continues to grow, there are many family caregivers who are left feeling much the same way. In addition to the lower threshold of empathy, family caregivers experiencing compassion fatigue may feel the following: Exhaustion (physical and/or emotional) Feelings of dread or guilt Irritability, anxiety, or anger Difficulty sleeping Difficulty making decisions Feeling disconnected Trouble finding meaning in caregiving Self-isolation The worst symptom of compassion fatigue is denial because it prohibits family caregivers from examining the feelings associated with their caregiving situation. And if ignored for an extended period of time, family caregivers may begin to feel resentment toward their loved one, ultimately leading to a communication breakdown and strained relationship. Below are a few steps that family caregivers can take to combat compassion fatigue and get back to feeling positive about caring for their loved ones. Understand the common signs of compassion fatigue Practice a self-care of balanced diet, regular exercise, and consistent sleep. Find time to spend with friends and maintain social connections. Find a caregiver support program, community or online. Document your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Choose healthy activities during your downtime, a hobby, walking, meditating. Engage a counselor or therapist. Learn more about respite care and senior care services by contacting a local Comfort Keepers office today. Editors Note: This article was submitted by Ora Lee, owner of Comfort Keepers of Grand Junction. For more information she may be reached at 970-241-8818 or at: oralee@ckcolorado.com
Of the 32 counties we support in Colorado, 13 are located west of the Continental Divide and served by our phenomenal team in Grand Junction. Through mobile pantries and partnerships with more than 110 Hunger Relief Partners in this region, our team is able to meet the specific needs of these communities and bring food where it is needed most. Leveraging the power of community and through programs like Everyday Eats for Older Adults, Food for Kids, mobile pantries, and more, Food Bank of the Rockies provides food to 1 in 9 people facing hunger in Colorado, and 96% of funding from donations, grants, and federal allotments goes directly to our hunger-relief programs. Want to learn more about our programs? Need a referral to your local Hunger Relief Partner? Interested in volunteering or making a donation? We would love to hear from you! Editors Note: This article was submitted by Food Bank of the Rockies. For more information or to contact, please call 970-464-1138 or 877-953-3937 (toll-free).
Comfort Keepers provides in home care and nursing 24/7. We have been established on the Western Slope almost 20 years. Business have been voted Best of the West for the 6 years in a row by GJ Sentinel, Top 100 Women owned businesses in Colorado by Colorado Biz Magazine, received operation excellence award and president club among many other awards and recognitions throughout the years. Our mission is to provide in home care and nursing to our clients so they can remain healthy and happy in their own homes.
With the use of CareLink MobileHelp, Comfort Keepers provides a simple solution to many accidents and medical emergencies. CareLink MobileHelp is a medicalalert system that works nationwide, beyond the home with all the same features as traditional in-home systems. CareLink MobileHelp keeps you connected to a live monitoring center regardless of your location. You can have the freedom to continue participating in the activities that you enjoy in and outside your home, knowing that you are always accompanied by a highly efficient medical alert system.