Over the years, I have had conversations with friends and relatives who are faced with serious concerns about caring for aging parents. Some are boomers who live close to their parents. Others live in different states than their parents and must travel quite a distance just to see them. If a parent is in another state, there is often a sibling or another relative who lives close to the parent and can help. However, this does not take away a sibling’s concerns and feelings of guilt if they can’t be there to help more. It also can put a strain on the caregiving relative who lives close by and might still be working or raising their own children.
Whether you are single or married, you may be faced with how to handle this caregiving role. Medical advancements have contributed to each generation living longer and it has extended our aging parents’ lives. Centenarians are the fasted growing age group followed by the group that is 85 years and older.
Are you currently caring for aging parents or are you anticipating something similar in the future? Consider:
• How will you navigate caregiving, especially from long distance?
• Is your parent unable to live alone? If so, does that mean that your parent should move in with you and your spouse or go to Assisted Living?
• How will your spouse handle having your parent live with you?
• What if your parent is unwilling to leave their home but is not able to live alone safely anymore?
• What will happen if you or a family member must give up their job to care for a parent? I’ve had clients who have had to retire early to care for an aging parent/parents. I remember seeing an ad on television with this very situation. The caregiver had to refinance her car loan because she had to quit her job to care for her mom who could no longer care for herself.
There are also many issues family members caring for aging parents must contend with such as
• Safety concerns for your parents
• Appropriate medical treatment
• Supervision of caregivers
• Responsibility you and other family members are willing to take to help your parents.
Check out the resources listed in the post “Be prepared to care for elderly parents.” I can also help you navigate this challenging time. Contact me at 703-435-2273.