While we all age, the aging process is relative to numerous life variables that impact each of us at different rates. Regardless of where your aging parents are on the aging spectrum, there is a senior-living community that is designed to meet you’re their lifestyle and care needs. The good news is that today’s senior living communities are NOT like your grandparents’ nursing homes…

Today’s options for elder care and senior living are plentiful. For those that want to remain at home, visiting homecare may be an option. Those that want to maintain an active lifestyle (without the yard word) an independent living environment may be the best fit. Many senior living communities provide independent living to multi-level caregiving along with structure activities, in-house dining, and apartment-style accommodations. Learning all of the living and care options, placement requirements, and costs will ensure that you and your parents are making the best informed decisions for their situation.

It can be difficult for an aging person to admit, accept, or fully understand the loss of one’s own physical mobility, cognitive abilities, and independence in general. As a caregiving child of aging parents, you will want to ensure that both you and your parents maintain an accurate and on-going awareness of their abilities and care needs. Is their house layout, appliances, and amenities still conducive with their physical abilities? At what point does a cognitive decline prevent an aged parent from being a safe driver? What signs in your parents’ daily behaviors are indicative of general aging versus rapid decline that may require care assistance? What type of in-home assessments are available and how do we begin this process?

Wills, wishes, and legal can often be difficult topics for people to consider let alone discuss with family. As a child of an elder parent, it is important that appropriate legal documents have been drawn-up to ensure personal and legal affairs are fulfilled in a time of need. Have your parents put their personal and legal affairs in order? If not, what types of wills, directives, and legal documentation is best for your family’s situation? Who do we contact to begin making arrangements? How do I begin this conversation with my parents?

Are you part of today’s “sandwich generation” that must take on a parenting role to your parents as well as your own children?  If so, how much of the “parent” role are you ready, able, and willing to take with your parents? How do explain to parents that they may need to make life-impacting changes – including a level of self-autonomy – for the well-being of themselves and others.