How to Plan for the Care of an Elder

Planning for the care of an elderly loved one is a serious undertaking. Choosing the right place for your family member will require research and the help of professionals. The first consideration should always be to ensure your loved one receives adequate health care. Some facilities are designed to care for elderly people with multiple medical conditions and should be considered even if your loved one is not currently ill. It is always a good idea to plan ahead, anticipate future problems and be prepared for the costs.

Things You'll Need

• Physician
• Financial Planner

Instructions

Elderly Care

1. The health of the elderly person should evaluated by a physician. The type of care the individual will need in the future will depend greatly on his health. Elderly people with significant health issues will need assisted care or nursing home placement. Elderly people in good health often are happiest in retirement communities where there are a lot of activities.

2. Visit different facilities to see what each has to offer. The standard of living, activities provided, proximity to shopping, church and other activities and access to health care should be closely evaluated for the needs of your loved one.

3. Asses the cost of the desired location. Different facilities have different costs associated with them. Retirement communities often require the purchase of a condominium and monthly dues or home owners' association fees. Nursing homes often charge a monthly rate based on the level of care needed by the individual. A financial planner can help you with long-term projections.

4. Plan for the cost. Depending on the age at which your family member retired and what his financial situation was at the time will affect the plan. Government assistance is available for many elderly people. When planning to pay for the care of an elderly person, it is always best to assume she will live to be 100. Your loved one may require decades of care.

5. Prepare for the unexpected. The health of everyone tends to deteriorate over time, and it should be planned for. Expecting medical bills makes them easier to deal with when they arrive.

Tips & Warnings

• Continue to check up on the facility your loved one chose to ensure the appropriate level of care is being provided.

• Don't assume a certain life expectancy. Plan for the long run.

References

• How to Care for Aging Parents, Virginia Morris , Workman Publishing Company, 2004