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AGING
with an
Attitude
The New
Baby Boomer
Challenge?
T
he Baby Boomers disrupted history
and challenged tradition with their
ideas for social change. They had
answers for many things…but now face
challenges few could have anticipated –caring
for aging parents who are living much longer
and in some cases dealing with dementia and
other issues yet to be understood.
Recently, a handsome man in his late 50s
walked into our office. “I can handle my
corporation through its ups and downs, I
raised four boys, but this deal with Mom, I
don’t know how to handle,” he said. The stress
of dealing with a feisty mother who wouldn’t
share critical information had taken its toll.
In a previous article, I explored what one
can do after the doctor says “your parent
needs help, or they cannot continue to live
alone.” In this article let’s look at ways to
ease the strain and make your parents’ aging
journey easier on everyone.
The best time to talk about the later years
is when Mom and Dad still feel good; when
talking about the time they will need help is
not yet a sore subject. It does not matter how
much you have adored your parents, most
seniors worry about being “put in a home”
even though they have heard of country club
lifestyles at places like Merrill Gardens or
Westmont. Even if the ideal time has passed,
having the discussion is critical to ensuring
that you will be able to provide the care your
parents’ need and their wishes will be under-
stood and respected. Key information to
gather in your discussion:
• Who are your parents’ medical providers?
Physician, Specialists, Dentist, etc.
• What medications do they take? Their
doctors will have a record of prescribed
medications, but in case of emergency,
you should have it too.
By Dorie U. Sugay
• What insurance coverages do they have
in place? Do they have Long Term Care
Insurance? LTC insurance can fi nance
a good portion of inhome health,
which isn’t covered under Medicare or
traditional medical plans.
Dorie Sugay is the Executive Director
of Visiting Angels, a company that
provides living-assistance services to
seniors and adults-in-need who wish
to stay in their own home or receive
one-on-one care within a facility.
This article is for informational and
educational purposes only. It was
written independently of Visiting
Angels.
78
• What bank accounts do they have
in place? If you’re not listed as a co-
signer on their accounts, encourage your
parents to take this step so you’ll have
access to their funds and be prepared to
ensure their healthcare needs are paid
for if and when you need to take on
this role. Do they have any outstanding
debts or loans? Is it time to consoli-
date debt into one credit card account,
simplifying the payment process? It may
be time for you to monitor their fi nanc-
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
MARCH/APRIL 2016
es to ensure their bills are paid on time
or to assume full responsibility for bill-
paying. Remind them that unattended
banking and credit card accounts are
vulnerable to cybercrime.
• Is there a safe in the house, or a safe
deposit box at a bank? If so, ensure
that only trusted family or guardians
have access to the safe. Services such as
Visiting Angels typically prefer that their
caregivers not be involved in their
clients’ fi nances.
• Do your parents own real estate property,
and if so, where are their real estate
papers? Who is their mortgage lender,
and their insurance provider? Depending
on their fi nances it may make sense for
them to apply for a reverse mortgage. Do
your parents have a tax accountant, an
investment advisor? If so, fi nd out whose
services they use and talk with them
about their taxes and retirement accounts.
• Do they own any vehicles, and if so,
where do they keep the title? Are they
leasing, or paying off car loans?
• Have your parents made an inventory
and taken pictures of their valuables?
These records are important in estate
planning and distribution as well as
insurance issues. Do your parents have a
law fi rm of record? You should be aware
of who your parents have named as
executor of their estate, and if they have
an up-to-date Living Will & Trust.
• If Mom or Dad is a military veteran—
where are their papers? The VA pays for
inhome health service. Through Aid and
Attendance pensions, your parents may
be eligible for funds.
• Ask your parents about passports,
Medicare and other health I.D. cards and
tax returns as well as social security cards
and statements.
• Ask your parents to provide you with
their list of close friends and their contact
information. Get a little context about
their relationships with these people.
• Do they have a MedicAlert? Where is
their ID number kept? (If a parent has
dementia, consider getting them a Safe
Return/Silver Alert, and providing other
family members with their ID number.)
• Ask your parents if it is their wish
to remain at home (possibly with a
Health Aide assisting) or move to an
independent or assistedliving facility?
Continued on page 83
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