Joanne just got the call every child of an elderly parent dreads: Her mother, Katherine, age 80, had fallen, breaking her hip, leg and wrist. Joanne's family was suddenly in crisis mode. There were many decisions that needed to made – decisions they were unprepared for. Would her mother be able to live independently when she leaves the hospital? Will she need round-the-clock care? What is her recovery time? Does her insurance the physical therapy she'll need?
Joanne has suddenly been thrust into the caregiver role with a shotgun start. If you are in a similar situation, here are some steps to take that you help you through the process:
STEP ONE:
Establish open communication with the hospital staff
You will no doubt have lots of questions for the doctor and nurses. But some people find it difficult to know what do ask, who to ask and when to ask. Here is some information that will help:
How to talk to your doctor
STEP TWO:
Determine how your parents will pay for their care
Medical treatment and caregiving can be costly, which makes good financial planning all the more necessary. But in many families, discussing finances is a taboo topic. As a result, caregivers know little, if anything, about their parent's finances: Do they have Medicare or Medicaid? Do they have long-term care insurance? When an elderly parent is suddenly unable to manage their own finances, the caregiver often has more questions than answers. Here is some information that can help:
Making financial decisions
10 government programs that might help pay for care
Guide to Medicare and Medicaid