It is important
to understand family dynamics when it becomes time for adult children to have
to help make decisions for their parents. Thinking about long term care and
placement in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility is very difficult
for families to handle. The family needs
to talk with an experienced elder law attorney centered on what the parent(s)
wishes to do versus what is in the best interest of the senior loved one.
Children are generally uncomfortable about moving a parent out of their home to
a facility against they want to remain at home. This discussion can start
with looking at in home care aides to start the LifeCARE Cycle. Sometimes
parents become rebellious and do not allow anyone in the home to help
them. If the children do not live nearby or have to work a full time job,
managing a rebellious parent long distance becomes a difficult family task.
Many children
are understandably uncomfortable in becoming the parent, especially if the
parent does not want to accept help that is clearly needed. Independence is a hard
thing to let go of. But there is a time when adult children will need to
step in to the decision making role, just as parents do with small children.
Your decision to step in can be very difficult because in many situations the
decline is gradual. When is the right time to step in?
Too
often the deterioration of your parent’s ability to do the every day things to
care for themselves will happen gradually over time. Your parent(s) may become
experts at hiding these problems, so it is important for you to be on guard for
certain warning signs:
- Incapable to properly pay bills and manage their finances
- Incapable to handle their needed nourishment, clothing or shelter
- Incapable to take care of one’s physical health
Early intervention on your part can prevent serious problems from occurring.
When you visit your parent(s), look for the following warning signs of a
possible care crisis:
- no food in the cupboards,
- stacks of unopened mail,
- evidence of not bathing
- other signs that your parents are no longer able to properly care for themselves.
If they wait
for the parents to ask for help, that day will probably never come. They need
to have a plan in place sooner than later that will provide for adequate care supervision
and financial assistance even if parents feel they need no help.
LA LAW Center
Staff will help you assess your parent’s physical, emotional and financial
situation and suggest the best options for your parent’s situation. This can range from, setting up a
Conservatorship, securing Government Benefits to help pay for care, such as
Medi-CAL, Medicare, Veterans or Social Security benefits, developing a Life
Care Plan or help in choosing In Home Care Givers, Assisted Living
Facility or Nursing Home.
For more information, please go to our website
and look around. We try to educate our community and assist them with any elder
law needs they may have or fear. Visit our site or call us today to schedule
your FREE consultation with one of our experienced elder law attorneys.
1 (877) 537 - 8283
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www.la-lawcenter.com <<<
