Tips For Avoiding Common Pitfalls Of Elder Care Financial Management CT

By Jason Robinson


Adult children of aging Connecticut parents often find themselves taking on the role of caregiver and adviser. If you find yourself in this situation, it may seem overwhelming and stressful. Regular communication with siblings can help ensure that everyone feels involved and included in this difficult process. Among other things, it is important for the primary caregiver to fully understand the kind of elder care financial management CT seniors need.

Taking a leadership role in the family dynamic can be awkward, especially when you have to ask for information formerly restricted to the parents. Done carefully and early in the process, you can navigate sensitive subjects like finances, assets, and income sources reasonably and thoughtfully. Many parents initiate these conversations themselves realizing the importance of providing things like information regarding insurance for long term assistance and the resources they have to cover it.

You want to do the right thing for your loved ones, and to do that, you need to ask questions. Most parents have strong opinions about their living arrangements and may want to stay in the family home no matter what. Others see the sense of moving to a retirement community or into an assisted living facility. It may not be possible to make all their wishes reality, but at least you will know their preferences.

It can be very difficult and confusing to sift through all the laws, regulations and restrictions associated with senior finances and management. Finding a good financial adviser can make all the difference. If you anticipate your loved ones may need Medicaid to cover the cost of long term assistance, an adviser can help you with transferring assets and liquidating others to pay for some of the costs.

An attorney who deals with senior citizen issues can also be a great resource. This professional can review legal documents such as wills, deeds, and titles to make sure they are in order. If you believe that a power of attorney will be necessary at some point, an experienced lawyer can help you fill out the forms and file the paperwork.

Knowing where legal documents are located will make it much easier for you to help your parents in an emergency. You should have access to their medical records, and to do that, your parents will have to name you on all the appropriate doctor and hospital forms. Many seniors do their banking and other transactions online, and you need a list of all their passwords for your files.

In order to help your parents, you may find yourself losing time at work and using some of your own resources to cover costs. This is something you should take into consideration at the beginning of the care giving process. If other siblings are going to help financially, there needs to be a clear understanding of what that will entail.

The last of life is not always easy for seniors or the family members who care for them and try to manage their affairs. Pre-planning can be the key for a successful arrangement. Asking difficult questions early can avoid conflict and tension.




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