Elder Care For Parents

February 21, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Issues 
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Be Prepared To Help Your Aging Parents


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In today’s information age it really is all about having the right information. When you’re considering elder care for your parents or if even if your parents are just getting up there in years, you should have certain information about them. Your parent’s age and social security number is one of the most important things you should know. If your parent suddenly has a stroke as mine did, their ability to tell you where vital information is located is severely limited.Next, you need to know all the information relating to their health. Here is a quick list:

  1. Names of physicians - doctors, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists etc.
  2. Prescriptions Medications and Over-the-counter medication they take on a regular or semi-regular basis – even vitamins.
  3. Health Insurance Policies – make sure you have all of them as your parent or parents may have several. This would include Long Term Care insurance if they have it. Also if your parent is a veteran find out what VA benefits they are using or are eligible for. I know my father-in-law was able to get his hearing aids for free from the VA.
  4. Health History – These usually include medical conditions your parents are afflicted with, results of medical tests and any major surgeries they have had.

You need to know who your parents will want to act on their behalf if they become incapacitated. You will probably need to put in place something called Springing Power of Attorney which is commonly defined as Power of Attorney that becomes effective at a future time. That is, it “springs up” upon the happenings of a specific event chosen by the Power of Attorney. Often that event is the illness or disability of the Principal.

Know Your Parents Wishes For Elder Care and End Of Life Care

Have your parents made a decision regarding their desires for end-of-life care? This is what is referred to as a living will. A living will is commonly defined as a legal document that a person uses to make known his or her wishes regarding life prolonging medical treatments. It can also be referred to as an advance directive, health care directive, or a physician’s directive.

If your parent has drawn up will, you will need to know where it is located.

If you have aging parents I urge you to do get this information as soon as you can. You never know what is going to happen in life and having this vital information in your possession may save you and your parents a great deal of pain and heartache.

elder care, senior day care

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Comments

One Comment on Elder Care For Parents

  1. Dawn on Thu, 21st Feb 2008 1:50 pm
  2. Hi, I also found lots of tips for elder care in the sandwich generation here:

    http://www.squidoo.com/the-sandwich-generation

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