A Guide to Helping Your Parents Navigate Aging in Cary, NC and Surrounding Areas

This comprehensive checklist helps families prepare for their parents' senior years by covering health, safety, legal, financial, and social aspects. Creating a senior life plan for aging parents is crucial for their well-being and peace of mind. It starts with early communication to discuss a senior's needs and preferences, consider a caregiving plan, and make health and medical care arrangements. It also includes developing safety and living arrangements, including an emergency plan. Financial discussions are essential for managing finances without infringing on a senior's privacy. Legal documentation and insurance reviews ensure all legal matters are in order and insurance policies are adequate and current.

We often become so accustomed to our parents living independently that we don't notice when they begin to struggle with daily activities. These changes can start gradually as they slow down or happen quickly due to an unexpected diagnosis or accident. Whether you live across town or across the country, proactively creating a senior life plan for your parents will provide you with peace of mind and allow them to continue living their lives to the fullest.

Aging Parents Checklist

Caring for an aging parent often involves taking on financial, legal, and other responsibilities. However, it can also be a time to reflect on happy memories and plan for a future filled with joyful moments. The checklist below is designed to help you ensure that all aspects of life planning and the next steps for your aging loved ones are covered. It gives seniors and their families a way to navigate the coming years with confidence and purpose. We offer resources with helpful information and insights to assist you in caring for your loved ones, enabling them to experience all that life has to offer. If in-home care is needed, we provide compassionate care that focuses on connection and purpose, helping your loved ones experience more joy daily.

Communication 

Discussing future care with aging parents can be challenging for everyone involved. While there's no one-size-fits-all approach, many find it helpful to start these conversations when they're in their forties or their parents’ seventies. Your parents' unique circumstances, personalities, and health will ultimately guide your timing.Here are some factors to consider when deciding when to begin this important dialogue:

• Start the conversation early, using the 40-70 rule, so you have time to make or change plans based on your parents' needs
• Create a comfortable and open environment for the conversation
• Plan more than one conversation so you can cover all possible issues
• Take notes so you remember what was discussed and can keep track of next steps
• Keep a list of all their passwords for accounts such as computer, email, phone, and cable

Create a Caregiving Plan

Creating a caregiving plan ensures that everyone understands the care your parents need and how it will be managed as they age. If they require additional support, think about how you can meet their needs. This may involve coordinating with local caregivers, hiring professionals to help with specific tasks, or scheduling regular visits to spend time with them if you live far away.

• Have a caregiving plan ready in case your loved ones need in-home care
• Discuss changes to your parents’ healthcare needs with their doctors 
• Research different caregiving options
• Find out if your loved one has any specific needs to maintain their health and happiness

Health and Medical Care

A senior life plan starts with understanding your parents’ health statuses and medical needs. When they are in excellent health, it’s essential that their care and treatment preferences are detailed in a living will or advanced directive and discussed with family members. Have this conversation now, during the planning stage, rather than during a medical emergency.

• Designate a healthcare proxy who can speak with doctors on your loved one’s behalf and make healthcare decisions, especially if they are hospitalized
• Keep a list of their medications up to date, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and vitamins
• Keep a list of your parent's doctors and specialists, including their contact information 
• Ensure they are following their doctors’ advice and taking medications as prescribed
• Make a note of the closest urgent care facility and hospital
• Get to know their primary care physicians 
• Discuss your parents’ latest check-ups and help schedule upcoming appointments 
• Encourage your parent to write a living will or advanced directive and keep a copy on file

Safety and Living Arrangements

Most seniors want to remain in their homes as they age, connected to family, friends, and community. If your parents can continue living at home, consider home remodeling options to help them safely age in place. In addition, develop an emergency plan with your parents and ensure they know what to do in a natural disaster or other emergency.

• Evaluate the safety of their home and make modifications if necessary
• Review any mortgage or financial concerns about the home
• Check in regularly, either in person or by phone or video chat
• Consider long-term care insurance in case long-term care is ever required
• Develop an emergency plan and list of emergency contact

Social and Support Network

A strong social support network helps keep seniors healthy and active and gives them a sense of connection, belonging, and purpose. This support can include neighbors, friends, or other family members who can assist your loved one if needed. If possible, foster connections with their support network to have reliable contacts in case of emergencies.

• Encourage your parents to stay socially engaged and participate in activities that bring them joy
• Check if your parents have a support network in their local community
• Keep the name and number of a neighbor who can regularly check on your loved ones
• Create a schedule of friends and family who call or regularly video chat

Review Finances

Discussing finances can be tricky. Seniors sometimes want to keep their financial information private, even from family members. Ensure they can keep exact dollar amounts confidential, but ensure you have access to the information if you need it. Have them assign a Durable Power of Attorney (POA) to someone who can make financial decisions on their behalf. When reviewing how your parents would like their finances handled, topics to discuss include outstanding debts, homeownership, savings, and retirement funds.

• Find out what financial accounts are open and where they are held 
• Make a list of advisors’ contact information 
• Ensure they are making informed decisions about retirement, investments, and insurance
• Stay up to date on Social Security benefits 
• Check that beneficiary designations are current
• Make sure your loved ones have a POA representative
• Streamline bill paying by setting up automatic payments 
• Ensure they know how to avoid scams

Gather Legal Documents

Discussing and taking care of legal issues while your parents enjoy good health can ensure everything is planned and understood. Ensure you know where your parents keep their personal information and important documents if needed. Go over everything together and meet with their estate planner so you can ask questions about their wishes and how to ensure they are carried out.

• Discuss important documents and where they are stored
• Find out if your parents have a will and a living will, and where they are located
• Make sure their POA for finances and healthcare proxies are in order
• Read through their estate plan/will to make sure beneficiaries and responsibilities are correct and up to date

Review Insurance Plans

Review your parents’ insurance policies regularly. It’s essential to know if their policies are adequate and up to date and where the accounts are located. This information can help avoid undue financial burdens during medical emergencies or accidents.

• Make a list of active insurance policies such as auto, home, health, long-term care, etc.
• Review homeowners, auto, and life insurance policies to ensure they are adequate and up-to-date
• Review health insurance coverage for any policy changes that need to be made based on current or future needs