How to Plan for Elder Care

More than 50 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member during any given year. Many challenges are encountered in the care of aging parents. There are financial, emotional, medical, and legal issues, just to name a few.

Shannon Martin, a Clearwater, Florida-based geriatric care manager, discussed ways that can help make a stressful situation more manageable. "Whether you are currently trying to coordinate medical or in-home care for your elderly parent, you are concerned about memory loss and possible dementia or Alzheimer's disease, or you want to help your aging family member avoid a crisis, these are some common areas of elder care or long term care planning that you can initiate today," says Ms. Martin, Director of Community Relations at an elder care facility, in Tampa, Florida.

Some steps you can take now and in the future:

Start Talking: Start discussions about aging and health care issues. Use this article or a friend's experience as a conversation starter. Ask loved ones what they would want if they needed help.

Begin Estate Planning: Initiate legal plans for possible incapacity. Include documents such as durable power of attorney, a health care power of attorney, and a living will as part of your estate planning, in addition to a will or trust. Determine how to access these documents, when needed.

Compile Medical Information: Start a "health file" for copies of medical tests, doctor's contact information, and medicines. Include notes and information about medicines that did not or do not work for you. This information can be stored in a simple file or binder, or you can use online tools such as "Life Ledger" or USB drives to store information.

Practice Prevention: Know your family and personal medical history and risks and practice prevention.

Evaluate Financial Alternatives: Discuss your financial situation with a professional. They should help you look at the comprehensive picture, and suggest ways to finance long-term care needs. Long-term care insurance should be considered as part of your total insurance and financial plan.

Discuss Funerals: Consider funeral planning, whether it's writing down your wishes to let loved ones know what you want, or purchasing a pre-burial contract. Investigate options and determine which is best for you. Ask your loved ones if they specific arrangements. Knowing your loved one's wishes can help alleviate stress and unanswered questions when the time comes.

Make Your Home Elder-Friendly: If your parents live in their own homes, identify resources to manage specific concerns. Some examples include medication management systems (from simple pill boxes to electronic reminder systems), emergency response systems, personal medical alert alarms, grab bars and mobility devices, and meal delivery services.

Discuss Duties: Discuss care giving duties and plans with your family regarding your loved one's care. Schedule regular family meetings to ensure continuity. If there are conflicts, consider using a professional to facilitate these meetings.

Get Support: Talk to others who have been through similar situations, including professionals and family caregivers. For some people, a support group or online network may be helpful; for others reading and gathering information may help you feel empowered.

Keep the Peace: Express specific concerns with your loved one, and work toward solutions. If your loved one is resistant, assistance from a professional, or other family members might be needed.