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If you have loved ones approaching the twilight of their life, it’s important to know what you can do to help them. You need to get ready for the realities of such a situation. There are many facets to preparing yourself for such a task, both happy and sad.
End of Life Care
If you have a family member who is reaching the very end of their life, it can be hard to know the best way to help. Your specific circumstances and the physical and mental condition of your loved one are going to make a big difference. You have several options you should consider. You should also talk to the medical insurance company that covers your loved one in order to know what kind of help and coverage they can receive. You can take care of them yourself in your home if you have the time and resources. You can also hire nurses and other specialists who can come do in-home visits. Full-time care in an assisted-living facility is expensive but also a viable option.
Dealing With Their Estate
As unpleasant as it may be, you’ve got to start thinking about the logistics of their death. The biggest thing you need to worry about is their estate plan. You need to make sure that they have a last will and testament, a trust, or some other legal entity that will ensure the easy, legal, and correct transition of assets upon their passing. If not, their belongings might end up in probate. Probate court can take months to sort through and there’s no guarantee that anyone will receive what they’re supposed to have.
Preparing Emotionally
It’s important to understand the potential toll this process may take on you, as well as your other loved ones. Grief is natural and inevitable for everyone, but it’s important to find healthy ways to process it all. It may be even more complicated if your relationship with your elderly family member is strained or complicated. Think about putting aside time to talk to a licensed therapist to help you sort through your emotions. You also shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help – whether with the care itself or for emotional support.
Sometimes, taking care of elderly loved ones can be messy. You may find yourself having to help them go about their day in ways that can be exhausting, uncomfortable, or unfamiliar. But the important thing is that you are there for them.
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