Long-Term Care Planning Month: Do Your Parents Have a Plan for Years to Come?

Many “national month of” events take place in October. Long-Term Care Planning Month is one that your family should talk about. If your parents haven’t talked to you about future plans with aging in place, you need to sit down as a family and talk about it.

Are There Legal Concerns to Address?

One of the first places to start is with legal permissions. When it comes to medical and financial matters, it can be hard to take over bill paying, account management, or help with medical decisions without powers of attorney in place for finances and medical.

Your mom and dad’s doctors cannot discuss medical tests and information without HIPAA permissions in place. Make sure your parents have set things up so that you are legally able to help out. Get legal permissions in place to make sure there are no issues with future care.

Could Their House Become Too Much for Them?

Do your parents have a one-level home or an old farmhouse with multiple floors? If they have multiple floors, how would they get up and down the stairs if mobility was impacted after a fall, stroke, or another health issue? Talk about their desires for aging at home.

You may be able to move a bedroom downstairs to the main level. If the bathrooms are upstairs and the kitchen is on the main level, there could be an issue that’s better resolved by adding a stairlift or downsizing to one-level living.

Is There a Family History That Puts Them in Risk of Certain Chronic Conditions?

If there is a family history of diabetes, that increases the odds that your mom or dad will also have diabetes. If there’s a family history of breast cancer, there’s the chance that your mom will also face it. If she does, you need to have come up with home care plans during her recovery.

How Is Their Overall Stamina and Strength?

For now, your parents’ mobility and energy levels may be fine. It may not stay that way. They may start to have a hard time walking up and down the stairs. They may have a hard time standing for 30 minutes while cooking dinner. As abilities change, the need for assistance increases.

Who Is Nearby For Emergency Situations?

Does anyone live close enough to help out? If not, are your parents willing to let caregivers come to their home and help?

Caregivers are an important tool in aging at home. Your parents have a caregiver to rely on for assistance with daily activities. You don’t have to quit your job, ignore your own needs to provide that care. Talk to a specialist to discuss the many ways caregivers can help your parents in the coming months and years.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring caregivers in Apache Junction, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!