Helping Family Caregivers Find The Resources They Deserve
After spending the holidays with your aging parent, you and your siblings realized your dad is no longer able to live independently. Conversations were had and decisions were made. Suddenly, you find yourself as the temporary caregiver. Your own children have been out of the house for years and now you have the role of taking care of your father - something you're willing to do but for which you feeling entirely unprepared. Fortunately, you are not alone. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services states that there are more than 800,000 Washington citizens who take care of an ... [ CONTINUE READING ARTICLE ]
Is It Time For A Hard Family Conversation? Here’s How To Start.
There’s one in every family - the person who takes on the tough jobs and always seems to end up responsible for everyone else. It’s one thing to end up being responsible for Thanksgiving dinner year after year. It’s another to be the person who always has to step up when something worrisome is happening with Mom or Dad. It’s OK to ask your family for help. Here are some tips for how to make that conversation as successful as possible. Skip the email and schedule a conversation Sometimes it feels easier and safer to write an email than ... [ CONTINUE READING ARTICLE ]
What Exactly Is Probate?
Probate is probably something you have never spent much time thinking about. Understanding the process has never been a priority … until, one day, it is. When you have barely had the chance to begin to grieve the loss of your loved one, you’re simultaneously tasked with handling probate. Not only are you unsure of where to start, you aren’t confident you even know what “probate” actually means. Understanding the probate process Probate is a legal process that occurs after a person has died. His or her debts are paid and assets are distributed. If your loved one had a ... [ CONTINUE READING ARTICLE ]
When Holiday Gatherings Turn Into Tough Conversations
Holidays bring with them many feelings - some people fight the urge to turn on Christmas music in September while others cringe at the first holiday display in retail stores. While traditions and emotions may vary, one common theme around the holidays is family. Perhaps the siblings you shared rooms with growing up have spread out across the country. Or maybe it was you who left the area. But every year, you all return home to spend the holidays together. You know your parents are getting older, so you all make it a point to be there. You look forward ... [ CONTINUE READING ARTICLE ]
6 Questions You Need To Ask Your Parents
For many people, imagining a time when their parents are the ones who need to be taken care of is challenging. For so much of your life, they are the ones who took care of you. While it may be difficult to envision, the truth is that it’s likely going to be a reality. Whether they need full-time care or they just need some guidance in making sure that their affairs are in order, your parents will likely need some extra support. Having some conversations sooner, rather than later, can ensure that everything is decided upon long before there needs ... [ CONTINUE READING ARTICLE ]
Technology Must-Haves For Aging Adults
As more and more aging adults choose to stay at home rather than move to some type of senior living center, the resources and technology available to help make this a reality are also increasing. Not only do they provide safety and security for the seniors themselves, but they offer loved ones peace of mind. Knowing that their parent or loved one has measures and systems in place to help them maintain independence while also staying safe is truly invaluable. It can also be a lot less expensive to stay than to move to assisted living. Much of the ... [ CONTINUE READING ARTICLE ]