You may have never imagined that day would come when your energetic and high-spirited dad or mom starts to suddenly speak in tongues and makes no sense; yes, they have gotten old.  As much as you try to deny it, you have missed out on a very important part of life’s preparations –being ready for elder care.

Caring for an aging parent comes with its challenges and rewards.  Whether you’re presently caring for your elderly parents or not, you might soon be doing so.  The question is –are you prepared?  Being prepared does not only mean being ready with physical and emotional commitment, but also being all-set financially.  It may sound heartless, but people need to be asking themselves and honestly answering the question: “How much of a commitment am I willing and able to make to help my parents?”

Landing a “second career” as caregiver to your elderly parents will have thousands of variables that will determine the challenges it brings.  This will include illnesses that your parents may have, the distance of where they’re residing, and the amount of money they and you have.  Thus, preparing for elder care is a very important decision that you and your parents will need to talk about even before that time comes.  Here are some helpful tips to make things a lot easier for both you and your parents:

Discuss with the whole family
Pull the family together, and talk about facts frankly on alternatives when the situation develops.  The last thing you’ll need in elder care is a family member not willing to do their share of care and concern.  It is important to discuss with the whole family all the possible factors that will be involved, and what each member can do, contribute, or be assigned to.

While it may be difficult for your parents to be present during these discussions, encourage them to be there as much as possible.  That way, they’d also be able to provide their own views about what they really want to do, and how they’re preparing for it.  You can also contact information or service providers for the elderly, to know other possible options, and discuss it with the family.
 
Prepare financially
This can be the hardest “talk” you’ll have with your parents, especially for parents who have kept their mouth shut about finances.  Asking your parents how they’d prepared for their old age can be quite awkward, but it can be done with a lighter chat.  You may want to start off by opening up with your own plans for old age, and inserting the question “What did you and mom decide on that matter?”

Remember, knowing the financial situation that you’ll be faced with when the time comes, will greatly help in making the necessary preparations for the kind of elder care you can provide for your parents.

Consider home remodeling
If you’re planning to have your parents move in with you when that time comes, you’ll have to start early with making a few elderly-friendly remodeling to your home.  It’s important to adapt your living space to the guests you’ll be having in the future.  Gradually making the home fit for elder care will be a lot easier on the pocket, as well as will enable you to adjust to it as well.
 
Long-term care insurance and legal documents
Think about long-term care insurance if you can afford it. While long-term policy promises paying for in-home, nursing home care, or assisted-living care, it also has a lot of “ifs” that may hinder your ability to get one –make sure you meet all the criteria before plunging into the idea.  Lastly, have the legal documents such as an effective “power of attorney” to avoid going to courts to have parents declared “incompetent” –it’s a painful, invasive, and expensive process.

Being ready to care for your elderly parents is not a job, but a privilege.  They have done their best to raise you without expecting anything in back –it’s time you return the favor.  Be prepared well ahead of time, and make it less daunting and difficult.