Home Safety

The Alzheimer's Daily News website recently featured a short article on planning ahead for long-term care.  The source was our very own Indianapolis Area Vice President, Jeannie Keenan, RN.

Stories about this topic have been fairly prevalent in the news recently.  Many of the baby boomers have not planned ahead when it comes to providing care for their aging parents.  This could be paying for the cost of a retirement community or assisted living facility for their parents; it could be bearing the cost of bringing eldercare services into the home.

As our parents age, it can be difficult to address the often emotional issues of failing health, loss of mobility, cognitive decline, or just the need for a little bit of extra help or a smaller, more manageable living space.  Seniors may be reluctant to move and sometimes their adult children may not agree on what is best for their parents.  This underscores the importance of one of Jeannie's tips: Begin talking about the issues and the future early.  It is much easier to plan ahead than to be caught off-guard.  Planning ahead offers you more time to complete thorough research of the options, prepare financially for the future, and come to a decision with which the whole family can be pleased.

While this article focuses on the financial aspects of long-term care, many other variables can be involved in the issue including family dynamics, a parent's medical needs, a parent's wish to continue aging in place, or the adult children's desire to relocate parents closer to them.  A geriatric care manager can assist families as an objective third party, knowledgeable about local facilities and their capabilities and reputation, and familiar with all of the living options available for seniors based on their particular needs and desires.

Click here to read Jeannie's planning tips.  You may also learn more about Jeannie Keenan by clicking here.