As the people you love get older, there may come a time when you need to be involved in their care. There might be a time when they’re not yet in need of a nursing home but they still need some support, or they may start to have health issues that need to be monitored over time.
If you are the person who is caring for an elderly loved one, there are some tips that may help you provide the best possible care to them. Here are some that can help:
1. Have an open discussion about finances
The first thing you should do is talk to your mom, dad, friend or family member about their finances and their long-term care plans. Some people will have already put together a plan, while others will have not yet even considered the possibilities. Talk to your loved one about the money they have set aside for care and discuss where to find important documents like their will, health care directive and others.
2. Talk about their end-of-life wishes
If your loved one hasn’t considered what type of medical care they want in their final hours, it’s time to discuss this subject. A living will and a durable power of attorney for medical care could be a wise idea.
3. Don’t be scared to get help
If your loved one wants to stay in their home but is unwell, you could hire in-home help. Hiring a caretaker or aide can help with daily needs. Just be sure that the expense is budgeted for and that you do a check on the person’s references before hiring them.
Knowledge really is power when it comes to planning for the future, so take a proactive approach to this situation. Working with an experienced advocate can be wise.