Creating an elder care plan

When life throws you a curve ball, the best response is to have a well thought out plan. An elder care plan can help to prevent chaos and will be a comfort to family members.

Creating an elder care plan isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Unfortunately, many put it off or hope to avoid it altogether. An elder care plan provides a clear guide for what to do when life-altering events occur, so family members know the elder’s wishes, relieving them of having to guess.

Here are a few tips for getting started:

First, have the talk earlier than necessary. Start having conversations about care, options, and needs long before the decisions need to be made. It can be difficult to talk about, but it’s far more difficult when the need becomes urgent.

Second, assemble a team. Include the entire family. As they say, it takes a village.

Third, assess needs and gather information. Start making lists of financial obligations, medical needs, express wishes, and basic care requirements. This will help everyone on the team know what is required and where they can access information when it’s needed.

Finally, make a plan. Nobody can plan for every possibility, but having the basics covered will significantly reduce stress and uncertainty for everyone.

If you are in the process of planning for the future and have questions, call me. I have been through this process personally and I would be honoured to assist you.