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It's never too soon to start planning for what might
come. That way, you'll be ready if your parent suddenly becomes ill or
disabled. Three critical steps:
Talk with your parent.
- It's not easy to do, but get your parent to discuss
(with you or perhaps some other person) several issues:
- His fears, needs, priorities and wishes.
- His finances (long-term care can easily cost $40,000
to $80,000 a year or more).
- His medical care (what should you know if you have
to make decisions for him one day).
- Housing options (where might he want to live if he
couldn't remain in his home).
Make sure your parent has:
- An up-to-date will
A durable power of attorney (this gives you or someone else the power
to handle your parent's finances and make housing decisions for him
if for some reason he cannot do this for himself).
- Advance directives (a living will specifies your
parent's wishes concerning medical care, and a power of attorney for
health care names someone to make medical decisions in his stead).
Do your homework.
- We all think that our parents won't need companions,
much less nursing home care, but many people need one or the other,
or both. Do some research now so you're ready if such help is needed.
- Make a few calls to find out about senior services
in your parent's community.
- Visit senior housing facilities so you know what's
out there, and if necessary, put your parent on waiting lists.
- If you live far away, have the name of a neighbor
or volunteer who can check on your parent if there's trouble, the names
of doctors and lawyers, and a phone book from the community.
Courtesy of Virginia Morris, www.careforagingparents.com |