Were
so used to our parents living independently that we dont always notice when
they begin to struggle with handling daily activities. Changes can begin
gradually as they start to slow down, or they can happen quickly, when a parent
has an unexpected diagnosis or accident. No matter if you live across town or
across the country, proactively creating a senior life plan for your parents
will give you peace of mind and allow them to continue to live their lives to
the fullest. Communication Approaching
aging parents about planning their senior years can be a touchy subject for
everyone involved. As a general rule, it is recommended to start having these
conversations by the time youre in your forties, or theyre in their seventies
(known as the 40-70 rule). Of course, you know your parents' habits and
personalities best, so you are the best judge of their physical and mental
health. Here are some factors that can determine the appropriate time to
initiate this conversation:
Start
the conversation early, using the 40-70 rule, so you have time to make or
change plans based on your parents' needs
Create
a comfortable and open environment for the conversation
Plan
more than one conversation so you can cover all possible issues
Take
notes so you remember what was discussed and can keep track of next steps
Keep
a list of all their passwords for accounts such as computer, email, phone, and
cable Create
a Caregiving Plan A
caregiving plan will ensure everyone is on the same page about the care needed
and how it will be handled as your parents age. If they require additional
care, consider how you can support their needs. This might involve coordinating
with local caregivers, hiring professionals to assist with certain tasks, or,
if you dont live nearby, planning regular visits to spend time with them.
Have
a caregiving plan ready in case your loved ones need in-home care
Discuss
changes to your parents healthcare needs with their doctors
Research
different caregiving options
Find
out if your loved one has any specific needs to maintain their health and
happiness
Health and Medical CareA
senior life plan starts with understanding your parents health statuses and
medical needs. When they are in excellent health, its essential that their
care and treatment preferences are detailed in a living will or advanced
directive and discussed with family members. Have this conversation now, during
the planning stage, rather than during a medical emergency.
Designate
a healthcare proxy who can speak with doctors on your loved ones behalf and
make healthcare decisions, especially if they are hospitalized
Keep
a list of their medications up to date, including prescriptions,
over-the-counter medications, supplements, and vitamins
Keep
a list of your parent's doctors and specialists, including their contact
information
Ensure
they are following their doctors advice and taking medications as prescribed
Make
a note of the closest urgent care facility and hospital
Get
to know their primary care physicians
Discuss
your parents latest check-ups and help schedule upcoming appointments
Encourage
your parent to write a living will or advanced directive and keep a copy on
file Safety
and Living ArrangementsMost
seniors want to remain in their homes as they age, connected to family,
friends, and community. If your parents are able to continue living at home,
consider home remodeling options to help them safely age in place. In addition,
develop an emergency plan with your parents and make sure they know what to do
in case of a natural disaster or other emergency.
Evaluate
the safety of their home and make modifications if necessary
Review
any mortgage or financial concerns about the home
Check
in regularly, either in person, or by phone or video chat
Consider
long-term care insurance in case long-term care is ever required
Develop
an emergency plan and list of emergency contacts Social
and Support NetworkA
strong social support network helps keep seniors healthy and active and gives
them a sense of connection, belonging, and purpose. This support can include
neighbors, friends, or other family members who can assist your loved one if
needed. If possible, foster connections with their support network to have
reliable contacts in case of emergencies.
Encourage
your parents to stay socially engaged and participate in activities that bring
them joy
Check
if your parents have a support network in their local community
Keep
the name and number of a neighbor who can regularly check on your loved ones
Create
a schedule of friends and family who call or regularly video chat
Ensure
your parents have access to reliable transportation when needed, especially if
they dont drive Review
FinancesDiscussing
finances can be tricky. Seniors sometimes want to keep their financial
information private, even from family members. Reassure them that they can keep
exact dollar amounts confidential, but make sure you have access to the
information if you need it. Have them assign a Durable Power of Attorney (POA)
to someone who can make financial decisions on their behalf. When going over
how your parents would like their finances handled, topics to discuss include
outstanding debts, homeownership, savings, and retirement funds.
Find
out what financial accounts are open and where they are held
Make
a list of advisors contact information
Ensure
they are making informed decisions about retirement, investments, and insurance
Stay
up to date on Social Security benefits
Check
that beneficiary designations are current
Make
sure your loved ones have a POA representative
Streamline
bill paying by setting up automatic payments
Ensure
they know how to avoid scams Gather
Legal Documents Discussing
and taking care of legal issues while your parents enjoy good health can ensure
everything is planned and understood. Make sure you know where your parents
keep their personal information and important documents in case you need them.
Go over everything together and meet with their estate planner so you can ask
questions about their wishes and how to ensure they are carried out.
Discuss
important documents and where they are stored
Find
out if your parents have a will and a living will, and where they are located
Make
sure their POA for finances and healthcare proxies are in order
Read
through their estate plan/will to make sure beneficiaries and responsibilities
are correct and up to date Review
Insurance PlansRegularly
review your parents insurance policies. Its essential to know if their
policies are adequate, up to date, and where the accounts are located. This
information can help avoid undue financial burdens during medical emergencies
or accidents.
Make
a list of active insurance policies such as auto, home, health, long-term care,
etc.
Review
homeowners, auto, and life insurance policies to ensure they are adequate and
up to date
Review
health insurance coverage for any policy changes that need to be made based on
current or future needs
Aging
Parents Checklist Although
caring for an aging parent often means taking on financial, legal, and other
responsibilities, it can also be a time to reflect on happy memories and plan
for a future that includes more joyful moments. The aging parent checklist
below can help you ensure youve got all the bases covered when it comes to
life planning and the next steps for your aging loved ones. Although
caring for an aging parent often means taking on financial, legal, and other
responsibilities, it can also be a time to reflect on happy memories and plan
for a future that includes more joyful moments. The aging parent checklist
below can help you ensure youve got all the bases covered when it comes to
life planning and the next steps for your aging loved ones.
Communication
Have
the conversation early so you have time to make or change plans based on your
parents' needs
Create
a comfortable and open environment for the conversation
Take
notes so you remember what was discussed and keep track of your next steps
Keep
a list of all their passwords for accounts such as computer, email, phone,
and cable
Health and Medical Care
Designate
a healthcare proxy who can speak with your loved ones doctors and make
decisions
Keep
an up-to-date list of all their medications, including over-the-counter,
supplements, and vitamins
Keep
a list of their doctors and specialists, including their contact
information
Ensure
they are taking medications as prescribed
Make
a note of the closest urgent care facility and hospital
Get
to know their primary care physicians
Help
schedule upcoming appointments
Encourage
your parent to write a living will and keep a copy on file
Ensure Safe Living Arrangements
Evaluate
the safety of their home and make modifications if necessary
Review
any mortgage or financial concerns about the home
Check
in regularly, either in person, or by phone or video chat
Consider
buying long-term care insurance
Develop
an emergency plan and list of emergency contacts in case of a natural
disaster or other emergency
Create a Caregiving Plan
Have
a caregiving plan ready in case your loved ones need in-home care
Discuss
changes to your parents healthcare needs with their doctors
Research
different caregiving options
Find
out if your loved ones have any specific needs to maintain their health and
happiness
Social and Support Network
Encourage
your parents to stay socially engaged and participate in activities that
bring them joy
Check
if your parents have a support network in their local community
Keep
the name and number of a neighbor who can regularly check on your loved ones
Create
a schedule of friends and family who call or regularly video chat
Ensure
your parents have access to reliable transportation when needed, especially
if they dont drive
Review Finances
Find
out what financial accounts are open and where they are held
Make
a list of advisors contact information
Ensure
they are making informed decisions about retirement, investments, and
insurance
Stay
up to date on Social Security benefits
Check
that beneficiary designations are current
Make
sure your loved ones have a POA representative
Streamline
bill paying by setting up automatic payments
Ensure
they know how to avoid scams
Gather Legal Documents
Discuss
important documents and where they are stored
Find
out if your parents have a will and living will, and where they are located
Make
sure their POA for finances and healthcare proxies are in order
Read
through their estate plan/will to make sure beneficiaries and
responsibilities are correct and up to date
Review Insurance Plans
Make
a list of active insurance policies such as auto, home, health, long-term
care, etc.
Review
homeowners, auto, and life insurance policies to ensure they are adequate and
up to date
Review
health insurance coverage regularly for any policy changes that need to be
made as needs change
Review Insurance Plans
Make
a list of active insurance policies such as auto, home, health, long-term
care, etc.
Review
homeowners, auto, and life insurance policies to ensure they are adequate and
up to date
Review
health insurance coverage regularly for any policy changes that need to be
made as needs change
Comfort Keepers Can Help
This
checklist gives seniors and their families a way to confidently and
purposefully navigate the next few years. We offer resources with helpful
information and insights that help you care for your loved ones so they can
experience all that life has to offer. And if they need in-home care, we can
provide compassionate care that focuses on connection and purpose and
experiencing more joy every day. To learn more, contact us today.