Elder Care Resolutions for the New Year

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who are raising your own family while providing care and support for aging parents, the new year can be a great time to reassess. This point in your life will likely be the busiest and most emotionally difficult.

With life pulling you in so many directions as a caregiver and a person, here are a few resolutions you can implement to make the most of the coming year for and your loved one.

1. Spend Quality Time Together

Once you’ve come to the stage where there are caretaking needs for elderly relatives, it sometimes becomes very difficult to enjoy time together because there are so many new responsibilities. Socializing and spending time together can actually improve your elder relative’s health and it also affords you time to create new memories which you’ll cherish.

Action Plan: Go out to lunch with your elder loved one. Choose a restaurant that’s not too noisy. Good choices for a table: One located near a sunny window or close to the restrooms.

2. Assess Your Elderly Loved One’s Home Situation

Whether your relative lives independently, in a care facility, in their own home, or in your home, it’s important to assess where they’re living each year. Their health needs may change over time and things that weren’t thought of months ago will be an issue going forward. Take stock of things like their mobility, whether or not they need caregivers at their location, and alternatives for regular support while allowing for as much independence as they are able to have.

Action Plan: Tour your elder’s home to assess whether aids like ramps and elevators are needed.

3. Review Medical and Dietary Needs

Different aspects of aging can change dietary needs and appetite. Assess whether or not aging relatives are thriving health-wise and determine if they need changes in their care, diet, and hydration. This might include arranging for someone to do the shopping, having Meals on Wheels brought in to assist, or other options. Daily calling services can be arranged to remind elders to drink water, take medication, and move around.

Action Plan: Schedule an annual checkup for your elder with their primary care physician. Do the same for an annual dental exam.

4. Visit an Elder Law Attorney

Taking care of final affairs can be an emotional process, but it’s important for your elderly relatives to have their legal paperwork in order to better care for their needs and fulfill their wishes.

An elder law attorney can help you determine what steps to take, depending on the family member’s health and situation. This might include a living trust, power of attorney, or other measures to make sure that there is a family member who can help determine medical and financial decisions in the event that they are no longer able.

Action Plan: Check out some of our recent blog posts on how an elder law attorney can help you.

Six Key Steps for Estate Planning

Why You Need an Elder Law Attorney to Make Your Will

Why You Need a Power of Attorney

Three Reasons to Plan in Advance of Alzheimer’s Disease

Choosing the Right Trustee for Your Living Trust

5. Take Time for You

With all of the responsibility in caring for your older relatives and your own family, you’re probably not taking as much time as you need to manage your own health. You can’t help anyone else if you’re making yourself sick or wearing yourself down. So take the proper steps to make sure you get the best medical and emotional support you need.

Action Plan: Set your own personal goals for the new year. Make it a priority to stick to them!

Taking responsibility for the care of elderly family members can be an emotional and exhausting time. For many, it’s also exceptionally rewarding to get to spend the remaining time together.

If you’re interested in meeting with an elder law attorney to better prepare for the future, contact us today.