| 20 May 2013
As parents age, the question of who will care for them, and how that care will be delivered, becomes a more important one. Many adult children end up taking on huge emotional and financial responsibilities in caring for their elderly parents, which can be stressful, and in some cases lead to resentment and family conflict. However, adult children can make the process of caring for elderly parents easier by taking steps today to prepare for the future.
Step 1: Talk to Your Parents
Ideally, you should start talking to your parents (or other loved ones) about their preferences for care long before the need for such care actually arises. Do they want to live independently for as long as possible? Would they be interested in moving into an assisted living facility? During these conversations, you can also discuss issues such as who holds their power of attorney and power of attorney for healthcare (and if those roles haven't already been assigned, who should hold them), as well as the location of important documents, such as wills, and contact information for key advisors. Having this information will simplify decision making when your parents need care.
