There Comes a Time... When it's Time...

What happens when mom’s home becomes more than she can handle? 

The stairs Dad has climbed for years feels like Mt. Everest

What about the yard work that they both enjoyed in the past now seem impossible to keep up? 

Perhaps there have been accidents, falls, or even worse- kitchen fires or illness where living alone is more of a danger and risk, or struggling in pain to get to the phone for help? 

It is during these times when we, the adult children, start to think of safer, more convenient options for our elder parent.

So what do we do now?  It is in times like these where many families find themselves in crisis.  In all fairness, our lives are busy, and consumed by family events, and we may only see all our siblings on major holidays, and thus it can be difficult for a family to come together to make many critical decisions, or have the kinds of talks that should have taken place before a crisis resulted.  

More often than not however, you may be one of the millions of families across the USA who's life has been effected by the trauma of a sudden intervention, and you are trying to figure out what is the right thing to do.  They don’t know what they don’t know about what they need to know, and they find themselves having a huge task of packing up Mom & Dad’s family home, selling it, and finding a new place for them to live.   How this process happens can be as individual as your parents' needs or wishes are, and thus, our Decision Guide is designed to help provide clarity for the many families looking for answers in a short period of time. 

Making the kinds of decisions that literally put the lives of your parents in your hands are extremely daunting.  So many adult children struggle with the responsibility and it can become overwhelming.  The good news is that there are many types of professionals who have expertise in senior transitions, who can intervene and be your greatest asset.
Here are a few:

SRES Real Estate Professionals:  A realtor with SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) credentials has special training on the real estate transactions of seniors.  They are specially trained to work with families, the distribution of assets, and have key insight on family dynamics, or the emotional challenges that result in selling a long-term family home.  They also in many cases can the coordinate with Estate Liquidators, Estate planning attorneys, Powers of Attorney, etc. 

Senior Move Managers:  A Senior Move Manager can be your best friend in these major life transitions.  They are specially trained to transition Mom & Dad into Retirement Living, and have specialized knowledge to downsize a family home to a new residence- and still make their surroundings feel like a home.  They will work with all aspects of a move, from the planning stage, to the distribution of possessions to family members and friends, the coordination of estate sales, online auctions, and prepare the new dwelling with that special touch, from hanging pictures on the wall, making up the bed, putting away the clothes and stocking the fridge with necessities.

Placement Consultation Professionals:  It is difficult, if one is not well versed in the world of Retirement Living, as well as being untrained in the acceptable physical functionality and financial ability of our elder parent and where they “fit” when it comes to Retirement Living.  There are various forms, which include Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Respite Care, as well as Adult Family Homes.  How do we know what the right fit truly is for our parent?  These individuals aren’t giving you a sales pitch, but simply represent the family in their need to professionally assess your parent, and then make appropriate recommendations for their future home.

Elder Law Attorneys:  There is no greater advocate for a senior when representing their wishes than an attorney who practices Elder Law.  This individual specializes in protecting seniors’ assets through meticulous execution of documentation, which outline and provide for seniors financial future, but also their safety from elder abuse, neglect, or the preparing for Medicaid.  For you as a caregiver, these attorneys can help protect both of you in how your parents’ money is spent, and how your own financial assets are not compromised.

Funeral Pre-planning Services:  Prepaying and preparing for a parents' death and burial wishes can be a peace of mind to both you and your parent.  It can assure that your parent will have his or her wishes known and honored.  Today there are many options, including simple cremation services, to funeral homes which will provide everything from a memorial service, to a major event.  They can help administer memorial funds, and donations appropriately.

Whatever the change may be, there are resources to help.  Don't be afraid to consult with these types of individuals to assure a smooth transition moving forward.