Helping Your Parents

HELPING YOUR SENIOR PARENTS REMAIN INDEPENDENT

Perhaps you recall the constant nagging of your parents to take a jacket, clean your plate, or check-in with a phone call when you were out past curfew. Most of us couldn't wait to grow up and get out on our own, but before we know it, our role with our parents often reverses as they get older. Especially if we don't live in the same city as our parents; suddenly we find that WE are worried when we don't get that expected phone call from them. And if we are still raising children of our own, this added stress creates what has become known as the “sandwich” generation.

There are answers, even if you are looking after a parent from a distance.
First, listen carefully during even casual conversations. If a parent mentions that the house is getting harder to maintain or the stairs are too steep to climb, use this opportunity to start a conversation about alternatives such as downsizing, or perhaps having help come in once or twice a week. This may give your parent the independence that they wish to maintain, but also helps provide you both with peace of mind. The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers offers this website: www.CareManager.org to help find assistance in your parents' home area.

Next, try to meet their neighbors and have their contact information handy. If you are unable to reach your parent, a neighbor may be able to make a quick visit to their home to make sure everything is OK. Additionally, check out the site www.ElderCare.gov which provides information about local services and resources that can help an older person live independently in their own community.
Thirdly, if your parent owns the home they live in, now would be a good time to get a FREE Reverse Mortgage Analysis to determine the possibilities available to them.  Many times, seniors with homes that are "free and clear" or almost paid for, end up wondering how to complete home repairs, pay taxes, or just have enough money in their budget for necessities. They just do not realize their own home may hold the key to a better life. And many people still mistakenly think ‘the bank takes the house’ which is simply not true.  Education allows you to find out what is available to your family.

Unfortunately, identity thieves prey on the aging population. Help parents automate their finances by setting up direct deposit for their social security, pension or retirement and establish automatic payments for their monthly recurring expenses. That way, should a parent get a random phone call from a thief pretending to be from the electric company, they will be less likely to volunteer personal information since they know the account is automatically paid. Also, be sure to remove your parent's phone number from telemarketers by visiting www.DoNotCall.gov, and help prevent identity theft by "opting out" of pre-approved credit offers, at www.OptOutPreScreen.com.

Even though it may be difficult to have "the talk" - discuss the idea of meeting with an Estate Planner to make sure that everything is in order, exactly as they'd want it to be - including a will, trust, power of attorney (both general and medical). Be sure to find out where these documents are kept and confirm that all documents including insurance policies, social security cards, lists of medications, and important contact information for attorneys, financial planners and doctors are all filed in one secure location.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if for any help you may need. As a “for profit” business, we hope to provide our service for reverse mortgages to people if it makes sense. However, our mission is to make quality relationships and help seniors and their children by being the best resource for information on aging in place assistance. We are happy to help in any way that we can to make sure your family is protected, and that you have peace of mind.