“Over the River and Through……..” P.S.

So let’s say that during your visit you have determined that your parents need help.  Now what do you do?   You either have some time to make plans as to what to do next, or you have urgent circumstances to deal with.  If you don’t have other siblings in the area, you may need to stay on for a few extra days.  As a starting point, if you need one, may I suggest something that my brothers and I used proactively for our parents, but could also be used if there is a sense of urgency.

There are many types of geriatric/eldercare professions – care managers, elder care advisors, social workers to name a few.   Ten years ago, we found a few to interview by accessing the yellow pages of the phone book.  Now you can find help by accessing the Internet.  Click on the previous links above.  Once you get to the website, all you have to do is to type in your parent’s zip code in order to locate a professional that could assist you.

Keep in mind that there is a fee for their time, but it is well worth it.  My brothers and I took the time to interview two different care managers.  We wanted to find someone who was not only knowledgeable, but someone of quality and honesty that would also “fit” with our parents.  If your parent(s) lives in a small community, you may not have access to these types of professionals.  However you could utilize the eldercare.gov website where you can again, enter your zip code and find where you can access local community based resources.

The key is to make sure your parent(s) is safe, and then you can do what needs to be done with respect to organizing and planning future senior care.   You don’t have to do this alone.   There are numerous resources and people waiting to help you.  Until next time…….

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year”   Ralph Waldo Emerson