| 1. Avoiding the discussion of alternative living | | | | several times a week during the day, then have a |
| arrangements for your parents. | | | | caregiver stay over nights and family members |
| It is important to be proactive concerning this! It is so | | | | supplement the other times if needed. The possibilities |
| much easier and less confrontational to start this | | | | are endless to customize a plan that is just right for |
| process early and often. If you start early having | | | | your situation. |
| discussions about options and choices, you can be | | | | 4. Not getting help until the last minute. |
| much more low key about it. | | | | This is a big one. If you wait until Mom is schedule to |
| If you wait until after Mom has fallen and broken her | | | | come home tomorrow from a hospital stay, it will be |
| hip, the pressure is on and the emotions are high. At | | | | extremely difficult to make good, rational decisions in |
| that point you are pressed for time to find answers | | | | such a short time. Trying to develop a good plan of |
| quickly. | | | | care under such stress will be overwhelming. |
| 2. Being in the dark about your parents financial | | | | My advice is to do your homework sooner rather than |
| situation. | | | | later. It's never too early to start to search out a few |
| Know whether or not they have a long term care | | | | agencies or facilities, find ones you are comfortable |
| policy. If so, you should know where it is and make | | | | with and start building a relationship with them. You can |
| sure it's easily accessible. Also, take some time to read | | | | even arrange a visit for you and/or your parents to a |
| through it so you know what it does and does not | | | | facility or have someone come to your home for an |
| cover. | | | | assessment. This way, if an emergency occurs, you'll |
| If your parents do not have long term care in place, do | | | | be reaching out to people you are comfortable with |
| you know what other financial resources are available | | | | and are familiar with your loved one and their situation. |
| if needed? Perhaps a visit with a lawyer to talk about | | | | 5. Looking at cost alone when deciding on care. |
| Medicaid eligibility and spend down rules would be | | | | This can go both ways. There are very expensive |
| worthwhile. And if one of your parents is a Veteran, | | | | nursing home facilities that have very poor track |
| see if they are eligible to get coverage for certain | | | | records of care. Don't be swayed by fancy brochures, |
| services. | | | | videos or tours. Try and talk to some of the actual |
| 3. Automatically thinking "nursing home" when one or | | | | residents and their loved ones. |
| both parents health starts to fail. | | | | As for home care, be very careful about choosing the |
| There are no shortage of options around these days. | | | | "cheapest" hourly rate. Remember that good |
| If your parent is resolute about staying in their own | | | | caregivers demand to be paid more. Good homecare |
| home, it is very possible to arrange for care there. | | | | agencies cannot offer the best caregivers AND be |
| There are also ways to be very creative about | | | | the cheapest. Also ask to meet and approve of any |
| combining several modalities of care. For instance, a | | | | caregiver before they start care. |
| family might have their father go to adult day care | | | | |