Posts Tagged ‘Important legal documents for seniors’

How to Take Care of Our Seniors All Year Long

Wednesday, August 15th, 2018
Take care of our seniors

What do we need to do today to take care of our seniors tomorrow?

Baby Boomers, those who were born from 1946 to 1964, are the largest generation in U.S. history. And they are now surging into what we call their golden years. According to Census.gov, projections of the senior population says that Seniors in the United States surpassed 50 million in November 2016. And this surge in the aging Baby Boomer population presents many challenges for us as a country. Why? Because there will be “more Medicare beneficiaries and higher Medicare spending with fewer citizens paying into the system.” So how will we take care of our seniors?

Plan Now to Take Care of Our Seniors Later

Aging happens. Since aging is inevitable, shouldn’t we take steps to take care of our seniors financially and medically? Shouldn’t we make sure their living needs will be met when it does happen? It’s kind of like Christmas, it comes every year, inevitably, so make a plan in January and start saving to make sure your gift-giving and festivities are not a financial burden.

What about your aging parents? Did they make sure they would be taken care of financially and medically as seniors? Did they make sure their living needs would be met in their golden years? If they didn’t, you need to start planning for their future now.

Start Here

No matter where your parents are in their golden years, plan now to take care of their financial, medical, and housing needs. I recommend you seek the assistance of an elder care attorney. They advise on legal issues and financial arrangements and draw up legal documents for you as well.

Get your parents in to see their doctor for a geriatric medical assessment. This will determine their overall health and whether or not there are any health problems that need to be addressed. Knowing about current health issues or the possibility of those that may occur in the future will help you plan ahead for their care. Your parents’ healthcare team can help you make sure their living arrangements are safe and that they will serve their needs in the years ahead.

Implement 5-Point Personal Security Plan

Seniors face many decisions later on in life. And although it isn’t particularly enjoyable to do, make time to talk about your parents’ money, healthcare, life and death, independence, and their home. Planning ahead makes the future easier for them and you if and when the time comes to deal with the following five issues:

  • Money – Saving for retirement is important. Make sure there is enough money for your parents to live on and enjoy life in their old age. You also want to make sure that their money is protected, that they can get to it if they need it and that they have enough to take care of themselves. Prepare a will or trust document and decide what should happen to their money if they were to die.
  • Healthcare – More healthcare may be needed in their old age than when your parents were younger. Health insurance coverage is important to have. Consider even a second plan to cover costs not covered by Medicare. Make sure you understand the coverage and that there is enough money on hand to cover whatever the plan doesn’t. Store their health and life insurance policy information in a safe place that you can access if necessary.
  • Life and Death – A debilitating illness such as Alzheimer’s disease, heart attack, terminal illness, or a serious stroke can quickly deplete your financial resources. And when they happen is not the best time to make important decisions. Prepare for such health crises in advance. Advance directives and other important documents should be in order before a health crisis hits. Determine your parents’ end-of-life wishes and get them documented legally.
  • Assisted care – One’s independence is priceless and tough to give up, no matter how old you are. It’s hard not to be able to take care of yourself, but that point may come to your parents. While your parents are healthy and able-bodied, encourage them to make decisions about potential living arrangements. Depending on their condition, would they prefer a nursing home or assisted living facility, hospice care, home health care, and some other available care option? They should choose which option they would prefer according to different situations. Then, talk about how each option will be paid for.
  • Their home – Their home may be comfortable and easy to navigate right now, but what if a wheelchair or walker becomes necessary? Are there stairs to the bedroom or laundry room? A house with stairs could become a big problem if your parents were to develop health or physical challenges. Assess their home’s layout. Consider selling their home and buying a ranch-style home with access to everything on one floor. Remodeling or safety modifications may be a possibility. But now is the time to purchase a home with a ranch floor plan or remodel.

Final Thoughts

Your parents might not be physically able to participate in many social events, but always ask,
invite, and keep them in various circles of social life. Depression is easy for seniors to develop if they feel alone and no longer productive. Let’s take care of our seniors today and all year long:

  • Check on them regularly
  • Encourage their independence as long as possible
  • Include seniors in your everyday social activities
  • Encourage them to volunteer and be active in the community
  • Be vigilant! Check for signs of elder abuse

Start planning and taking action today for their best tomorrow.

No one really likes to think about growing old or planning for the life you want to live in those golden years. But putting a plan in place now will give your parents and you great peace of mind later. Do you see how important it is to take care of our seniors today as well as all year long?

Charles D’Alessandro cares about our seniors who live in Brooklyn. Let’s take care of our seniors in Brooklyn now for their best life later. Contact Charles D’Alessandro, your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent with Fillmore Real Estate. Call (718) 253-9600 ext.206 or email [email protected] today.


Brooklyn Real Estate Agent

 Charles D’Alessandro

Your Brooklyn Real Estate Agent

718-253-9600 ext. 206

[email protected]