Your parents are enrolled in Medicare and they’re insured for hospital, outpatient visits and drugs, so their basic health needs are covered. Well, yes and no. Don’t be blindsided. There are some glaring gaps in coverage–especially when it comes to an aging population–and you should be aware of those gaps and what you can do […]
Every fall, Medicare recipients–your parents included–are bombarded with notifications about the upcoming “open enrollment” period and their options for switching coverage. As you read them, be aware that these notifications basically are advertisements for the different plans. This annual “open enrollment” period, currently from about October 15 through December 7, should not be confused with […]
Most people, including your parents, sign up for Medicare when they “retire” and hit 65, unless one or both of them still works and they may be covered by an employer’s health plan. But retirement at age 65 is not as fixed as it once was. Maybe because people are living longer, maybe because they […]
Most people over 65 know all about Medicare, what it costs, what it does and doesn’t pay for, even why it makes financial sense to pay extra for a Medigap or supplementary insurance policy to help with deductibles and co-payments. These policies are sold by private insurance companies, but exactly how these policies supplement the costs […]
When the tides turn and you become the one responsible for the care of an elderly parent or family member, you will need to develop a plan of care. That plan may include hiring a day-to-day caregiver. Finding the right match for your elderly parent, aunt or uncle can be challenging – and overwhelming. If […]
Caregiving is exhausting, both physically and emotionally, as well as time-consuming. That means that caregivers need–and should take advantage of–all the help and support they can get. It helps to have someone else check in on your parents periodically to assess their living situation. You need to recognize that your parents may not be totally […]
Your parents are healthy, live independently in their own home, and seem to manage well on their own with little help or oversight. But how can you be sure, and what can you do to make sure nothing changes? If you live nearby, visit frequently, occasionally without advance warning–that way you can see how they […]
Now that you are beginning to understand the challenges of caregiving, have identified and assembled your caregiving team, had the difficult conversation with your aging parents about their visions of the future, and emphasized again and again the need for open communication and feedback, you are ready for the next steps. Some More Fundamentals Some […]
Taking on the role of caregiver for your aging parents is a life-altering challenge–both for your parents and for you. For your parents, it marks a transition from the independent life they are used to, a transition where they turn over some, if not all, of the decision making and responsibilities to someone else–namely you […]
According to a MetLife study, seniors who are most vulnerable to financial abuse are women who are at least 80 years old, who live alone, and who receive help with healthcare or home maintenance. Any senior, however, might become a victim of financial abuse. As our parents age, their declining mental skills and memories make […]