Whether you’re 40 or 80, organizing your affairs is a task we often procrastinate but one that is truly essential to make sure we get the care we need if an accident or health issue occurs…or to ensure that if you’re the caregiver, you know what your loved one wants and needs.
Here are some suggestions for advance planning that all of us should do, but a “must” if your parents are aging and you’ll likely be their caregiver.
- Keep an updated list of medications, physicians and phone numbers. This will be one of the first things an emergency room will need if a parent is injured or sick.
- Document important family information, including illnesses and the cause of death for their parents and aunts/uncles, so doctors can know relevant family history.
- Copy and file your parents’ insurance and Medicare or Medicaid cards.
- Encourage your parent(s) to have an attorney create a medical power of attorney, including advance directives regarding life support. This document expresses healthcare wishes and appoints someone to authorize medical procedures in the event that he or she cannot communicate.
- Know where your parents put these important documents, in addition to their insurance policies and a list of assets with names of financial institutions or financial advisor, and passwords. If they don’t have such a list, ask them to make one.
Although broaching this subject can be seen awkward for some families, it’s so important. Tell your parent(s) that you want to be proactive, so you know their wishes regarding care “just in case something should happen.” And, do this for your own spouse and kids to make caring easier for you “just in case something happens.”
Ask The Important Questions
For instance, does your parent want to go to a retirement community or prefer to live at home with in-home care if needed? You need to ask!
Consider a neutral third-party or Life Care Planning attorney to facilitate the conversations, especially if your parents have significant assets or tension exists among siblings or other relatives. By focusing on planning for their elder years, rather than on death and the will, it will be easier.
Protect yourself from undue strain and stress by knowing all of this now. You will have enough stress when the time comes, why add “lack of information” to the list?
Line Up Resources
In addition to getting important information from your parents or loved one for whom you may be responsible for care, compile a list of resources for items may need when something happens and caregiving is your responsibility.
Whether this includes putting your loved one on a waiting list for an assisted living community or nursing home if you are already helping them downsize, or you’re just bringing a person home from the hospital to recover from surgery and need a hospital bed, wheelchair, and ramp for a short period of time, line up your resources now.
Be sure to include Mid-Atlantic Medical Supply & Equipment. We carry thousands of products to help individuals with health or mobility issues…from transfer benches and wheelchairs to grab bars and scooters…and everything in between. Our knowledgeable staff is here to help…to make life easier (and safer) for you and your loved one.