By John Shorb. Be prepared before a crisis hits. Here are some tips to keep in mind.
- Involve your parents in decision-making. Call a family conference. Talk and offer suggestions. Do not tell them that they have to do something. Tell them that things aren’t as good as they were and that we need to plan creatively.
- Discuss end-of-life issues as soon as possible. Everyone, young and old, should have someone who acts as their power-of-attorney. Prepare advance directives that detail what to do if you are not able to make decisions for yourself.
- Know where the most important documents are. Ask your parents where they have important documents like power-of-attorney, life insurance policies, burial policies, and other financial and legal documents. Some of these documents should be stored in a place that is accessible at any time.
- Write a post-acute-care plan. This plan details what to do when your parent leaves the hospital after surgery, a stroke, or other serious occurrence.
- Talk to any other family members about taking on roles if your parent is hospitalized.
- Assess the accessibility of your parent’s living quarters. If possible, make their home wheelchair accessible. Install support railing in the bathroom and other places where they might need extra support.
- Research your parents’ possible VA, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits. Many people are eligible for benefits from these systems.
- Visit their local church and non-profits. Find the support networks available in the community. Many churches and non-profits have programs to visit people who are homebound such as Meals on Wheels.
- If your parent is homebound or in a nursing home, visit them frequently at all times of the day. Become friendly with the staff and volunteer to help. Your parent will receive better care if you’re present. Don’t complain unless it’s legitimate. If you see something, you should report it, particularly abuse.
- If your parent denies that a problem exists or is suffering from dementia, take them to their doctor and let the doctor tell them. Some cities have memory clinics.
- Take care of yourself. Be sure to take breaks and do things for your enjoyment, especially if you are the primary caregiver.
- Begin thinking about your own future. Look into long-term care insurance for yourself. It’s never too early to start preparing.
Article at: http://www.chreader.org/contentPage.aspx?resource_id=538