Show Them You Care
You owe it to your parents to tell them about the benefits of having an elder care specialist and why it should not threaten their independence.
They were there to cradle you when the world seemed a menace to you. As you took your first steps they were also there to guide you along the way. Now that they have reached the crucial point in their lives, the transition to retirement, it’s your turn to express your care and love for them.
One thing that children cannot stand is the deterioration of their parents’ vigor and health and not being able to do anything about it. You, on the other hand, can do something. Sit down with mom and dad and tell them that they do not have to face the new stage of their life alone. However, before they hit retirement they should know where they want to go so that you can accompany them.
Enlighten your parents about the fact that with retirement they will only lose one thing and that’s their jobs. But who wants to work up to his grave, anyway? There comes a point in anybody’s life that he has to rest and pursue the things that he had put aside for many years so that it won’t destruct him from his career.
For one to be able to enjoy his life after retirement, though, he has to be confident that his retirement money will be enough for his planned vacations; and that he does not have to use it for his health care expenses.
Considering the soaring cost of care, it is not advisable to retire these days without a concrete health care plan. Anyone who expects to pay for long term care (LTC) using his retirement savings is headed for the financial pit.
While still in the workforce, your parents need to invest in a good LTC plan because if they wait till they’ve retired before doing so it will be too late. For instance, a long term care insurance (LTCI) policy will cost a chunk of their hard earned money because older people pay higher annual premiums. So if they wait for retirement before investing into this type of LTC plan, their annual premium will eventually wipe out their resources.
If they would invest in an LTCI policy before the age of 60, their chances of cutting down their annual premium is definitely high. It wouldn’t be wise, however, to just focus on the price of their policy as they have to see to it that their maximum benefit amount would conform to the cost of care in their area.
Being able to recognize the type of care that they will need in the future is an advantage so that they can plan their future health care efficiently. By visiting their doctor they will not only be able to know their present health condition but also if they have a genetic predisposition to a certain kind of disease.
In case their health records manifest symptoms of a geriatric disease, be a responsible son or daughter and contact an elder care specialist who can help your folks acquire the type of care that they will require in the future.