A few discussion points for your meeting suggested by AARP:
"What are everyones concerns about the future? Finances? Health? Family? Giving up the family home? The loss of independence? • In what ways do you feel prepared or unprepared for the future? • What are housing preferences and options? Would those change if one parent is widowed? • Have you made preparations for long term care? How will you fund it? Are you aware of the guidelines or limitations on government programs? • Who would be parents' choice as caregiver? Their spouse? One of their children? A caregiver service? • Do seniors have a current will, power of attorney, and other documents in place? Where are they located? • Is their health history available? Is there a list of all their physicians and medications? Is there a doctor’s form allowing you or a sibling to get medical information as needed? Where are these forms? • What would they absolutely not want as part of their future plans?"
"What are everyones concerns about the future? Finances? Health? Family? Giving up the family home? The loss of independence? • In what ways do you feel prepared or unprepared for the future? • What are housing preferences and options? Would those change if one parent is widowed? • Have you made preparations for long term care? How will you fund it? Are you aware of the guidelines or limitations on government programs? • Who would be parents' choice as caregiver? Their spouse? One of their children? A caregiver service? • Do seniors have a current will, power of attorney, and other documents in place? Where are they located? • Is their health history available? Is there a list of all their physicians and medications? Is there a doctor’s form allowing you or a sibling to get medical information as needed? Where are these forms? • What would they absolutely not want as part of their future plans?"
I am passionate about these issues and a senior myself. I was a caregiver for both my parents without the benefit of their advance planning. I learned the hard way. Hopefully you will take the opportunity to start early and avoid the stress of not having a plan and not sharing that plan with your children. If you just want to share your story email me at rschwach@gmail.com. I am available for private consulting and speaking events.
Bio: During his over 40 year business and legal career Richard Schwachter, has been an elder law and real estate attorney, a founder of a NYSE real estate investment trust (REIT) a field ombudsman, hospice volunteer and a mediator. He has had advanced elder mediation training at the Straus Institute, Pepperdine, CA His Elder Mediation website can be found at BayAreaElderMediation.com. A good introduction to Elder Planning can be found at his teaching website: ElderPlanning101.com As a senior with five grandchildren (and formerly caregiver to his father who had Alzheimer's disease), he has a profound interest in the problems associated with aging seniors and elder care law. He is presently a field ombudsman and hospice volunteer in San Mateo County California, a licensed Certified Civil Circuit Mediator in Florida and a listed ADR provider in the Santa Clara Superior Court California. He is a graduate of Case Western Reserve Law School, the University of Wisconsin and a member of the Ohio Bar. Call Now: 650.625.7300 |
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