March 14, 2023 by
What exactly is it that gets you up out of bed each and every morning? If you are a member of the sandwich generation, caring for both older and younger loved ones, your list is likely quite extensive! As the nest empties, however, it becomes important to redefine our identity and discover new ways to bring meaning to each and every day. In fact, the benefits of purpose for seniors are even more far-reaching than we once believed. (more…)
April 20, 2022 by
Many of today’s seniors were raised during the Great Depression. They lived through a period of time when the nation was pinching pennies and cutting corners. Frugality was embedded in many of them very early on and often remains firmly in place for a lifetime. (more…)
March 3, 2022 by
In a perfect world, our family interactions would all be positive and helpful. We would handle transitional times smoothly, cooperatively, and without any disagreement. As our parents grew older, it would be a seamless process to satisfy their needs today and their needs in the future. (more…)
October 13, 2021 by
If you knew that a significantly better quality of life could be achieved for a loved one, you wouldn’t think twice about exploring that option. Yet one of the most beneficial types of care – hospice care – is one that family members shy away from, due to a range of common hospice care myths. (more…)
June 4, 2021 by
When it comes to working together to ensure the needs of your aging parents are met, even the closest of siblings can find themselves in conflict. Emotions and stress levels are, naturally, running high. Add to that your past family dynamics and history, which tend to resurface during challenging times, and it’s easy to see how difficult this stage in life can be for each of you. (more…)
April 21, 2020 by
Senior finance conversations can lead to a variety of arguments, heightened emotions, and misunderstandings. And for many of today’s seniors, who maintain a “Depression mentality” from years of saving for a rainy day and learning to “waste not, want not,” it can be hard for them to share access to finances with adult children, and to accept the need to spend some of those finances on caregiving needs.
Talking with an aging parent about finances is most effective when started before the need arises, understanding it may take several conversations before an agreement can be reached. These conversation starters can help:
It can also be helpful to share real-life scenarios of a friend or neighbor who was victimized by identity theft, or a story from the news about the changing economy, stock market drops, changes to tax laws, etc. This can jumpstart a discussion about your aging parents’ own retirement plans and any financial fears for the future, allowing you to come to a mutually agreeable resolution, such as talking with a financial advisor together.
Most importantly, be sure to maintain a sense of respect, never attempting to “take over” your parents’ finances, but to provide the reassurance and peace of mind that their financial matters will continue to be managed effectively. Ask your parents for advice and include them in the decision-making process. Daniel Lash, certified financial planner at VLP Financial Advisors, suggests, “Tell them what you’re thinking about doing so you give them the power to tell you what they think you should do. It’s like they’re giving you advice because that’s what parents are good at – giving advice.”
At Home Independent Living, the top providers of home care in Syracuse, NY and the surrounding areas, offers a free in-home consultation to help older adults and the families who love them understand their options for care, and to help mediate difficult conversations such as those related to senior finance concerns. Contact us at (315) 579-HOME (4663) for assistance.
December 4, 2019 by
One of the hardest challenges for older adults is accepting the need for help with financial matters. Finances are both highly personal and a representation of our independence, and adult children in particular are often met with resistance when attempting to help aging parents with finances. (more…)
January 8, 2019 by
A simple Google search for the word “aging” produces topics such as “coping with aging,” “what you can do about aging,” as well as “the cure to aging.” The pessimistic connotations to growing older are, sadly, so deep-rooted in our culture that it is expected that by 2021, we will be spending over $300 billion in anti-aging merchandise. (more…)
October 24, 2018 by
Oftentimes, families make the assumption that so long as their senior loved one is covered by Medicare, covering the cost for care at home is not an issue they need to give consideration to. Regrettably, however, this is a prevalent misconception. As we shared in a previous blog post, most people use private funds to cover the cost for care at home. There are several possibilities to investigate though for veterans and their spouses. As the top experts in home care in Syracuse NY, At Home Independent Living outlines the facts to help those who have served in the military to acquire all of the resources available to them to cover the cost for care at home.
First to consider is the Veterans’ Aid and Attendance program, which aids wartime veterans and/or their spouses in paying for care at home, as long as they meet the distinct qualifications required to receive these benefits. The person applying must:
Certain veterans may also qualify for Housebound to cover the cost for their home care services. Housebound is a benefit that is paid in addition to a monthly pension. Veterans who qualify for Housebound benefits:
Legal guidelines state that veterans cannot receive both Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits together, and they must be receiving a monthly pension in order to meet the requirements for either one of these additional benefits.
If you’d like to find out if your senior loved one may qualify for Veterans’ Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits, the professionals in home care in Syracuse NY at At Home Independent Living are always available to work with you to look into all your options for funding the in-home senior care your loved one needs. You can reach us at (315) 579-HOME (4663) or contact us online to learn more about our services and the help available to veterans for paying for care at home.
October 9, 2018 by
It’s safe to assume that at some point your aging parents will have the need for a little extra support in order to continue to be safe and independent, and if they’re similar to the significant majority of older adults, they prefer to age in place at home. The first concern that normally arises is how to pay for in home care services. The Syracuse elderly home care team at At Home Independent Living hears this question often, and we have the answers you need. (more…)