What To Do During Your Parents’ Golden Years.

(ThySistas.com) It’s a tough thing for everyone involved, but one day you have to think about how to care for your aging parents. Most adults haven’t even gone as far as to have that initial discussion, but if your parents are getting to that age, it’s important that you are all on the same page with regards to living arrangements, care options, inheritance and funeral wishes.

Though there are no rights and wrongs when it comes to any of these issues, it’s better to be prepared so there is less stress piled on both you and your family.

Arrange A Family Meeting

A topic like this can’t just be brought up out of the blue. Plan a time when your parents and siblings can all sit round the table and assess what your options are for the future. A family meeting is definitely something that should be done face to face. Though there may be an initial reluctance to have this talk, explain the reasons why you are doing so and how it will be best in the long run. Make sure that everyone has a chance to speak and put across their own personal points of view.

Find Out Your Parents’ Wishes

It’s likely that your parents will want to live independently for as long as possible, but you need to be realistic about how long this is possible for depending on any medical issues they may have. If they do have to move out, decide whether you are able to take them in or if they would prefer to move to some independent living apartments. Even if it doesn’t seem likely that this is on the immediate horizon, you never know what could happen so it’s always better to be prepared.

Work Out Costings

Once you have found out the personal preferences of everyone in your family, you need to think about whether everyone is in a financial position to accommodate them. This is where some difficult decisions may have to be made, but you have to be realistic about what everyone is able to afford. It may be a case that you have to look at some cheaper options and move back from your first choice.

Decide How You Will Be Involved

In eastern societies, it is much more common for children to look after their parents in their old age. If you’re in a position in which it is realistic for you to be a caregiver, this may be something you want to consider. Not only will this be a significantly more affordable choice than a nursing home, you may find yourself forming a closer relationship with your parent. But you also need to consider that caring for them may take a huge emotional toll on you. As well as this, you should think about whether this is something that is logistically possible. If you have siblings, you will need to make sure everyone is on the same page with regards to care.    

Staff Writer; Lisa Poole