The need for extra care as your parent ages is a topic that can cause a lot of anxiety for both you and your parent, mainly because it’s an uncomfortable conversation to have about events neither of you cares to think about. Discussing the need to work with an elder care lawyer can further trigger thoughts about your parent’s mortality, which is something no child wants to deal with at any stage of their life.
One of the things that often brings people in to speak with an elder lawyer is the realization that a senior is starting to decline in health – physically, mentally, or both. Maybe you are worried that it’s time for your parent to stop driving, that they should hand over control of their finances, or that it’s time to consider moving to an assisted living care center. These will eventually become topics that you’ll need to get out into the open and discuss together as you work with your elder care lawyer to put a plan in place.
Of course, it’s always preferable to work on a long-term plan before declining health becomes an issue, but if it hasn’t happened yet, there are still a lot of options available. No matter what your parent’s mental capacity may be, it’s also a good idea for any adult siblings or other concerned loved ones to go with you to your initial consultation with an elder care lawyer. This can help reduce friction later because everyone will be aware of the plan and understand exactly what it entails. If any of these loved ones are unavailable, it is strongly recommended they are made aware of the plans and are given a chance to have a say.
If there is any disagreement amongst a senior’s adult children, it may be in everyone’s best interest to bring in a third party as a mediator to reach an agreement. Elder law attorneys, geriatric care managers, and social workers are often trained to refocus everyone on the true goals of the plan.
If you’d like to learn more about strategies for getting your senior parent the help he or she needs, please contact our Ohio elder law office at 877-653-3450 to schedule a complimentary initial consultation.
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