Tips for Talking to Older Adults

When you spend time with older adults, it helps to understand the issues they may face when holding a conversation. Up to 50% of people over 75 experience hearing loss, impacting cognitive processing and their ability to focus while conversing. Other health concerns, such as chronic pain and declining memory, can result in discomfort while speaking to family members and caregivers. These tips can make your conversations more productive and comfortable:

• Center your loved one in the conversation
• Talk in a calm and quiet environment to minimize distractions
• Ask open-ended questions that don’t end with “yes” or “no”
• Engage as a listener by nodding, mirroring body language, and giving encouragement
• Steer the conversation away from controversial topics
• Avoid interrupting and give your loved one extra time to answer

Remember to start your interactions with a respectful and kind attitude. Don’t try to discuss while you are busy. Your loved one deserves undivided attention, the same thing you expect from those you care about.

Questions To Spark Conversation With Seniors

Talking to someone older than you can be an excellent way to deepen your connection and make your loved one feel seen and heard, which is important for seniors’ mental health. Some topics may be easier to approach than others, so use your best judgment when navigating your interactions. Consider keeping your questions focused on the past, present, or future to help your loved one focus.

Try these conversation starters about the past:

• What is one of your first memories from childhood?
• Where did you and your friends play, and what did you do as kids?
• What was school like, and what did you love to study?
• How did your hometown change over time?

If your loved one has a hard time discussing the past or struggles to remember things, steer the conversation toward the present and future with these questions:

• What are your grandchildren doing these days?
• How are you feeling this week?
• What did you and your friend talk about today?
• What advice do you have about dealing with this problem?
• What do you want to do this weekend?

Remember to let the conversation develop naturally. If your loved one changes the subject after remembering a specific event or unrelated story, give them the space to do so. You’ll likely learn something you didn’t know before.

Create a Safe Environment for Your Loved One

Seniors deserve to feel safe and valued in their relationships. By creating a non-judgmental environment for conversation, you can ensure that your loved one feels comfortable talking to you about everyday matters and important health issues. If you and your loved one want to explore senior living communities that offer dedicated memory care and skilled nursing, schedule a visit to one of our communities today.

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What Is Social Wellness?

Social wellness centers on relationships and community. To experience happiness and a positive sense of well-being, seniors need to have good relationships with family and friends and feel connected to their community.

Rather than imagining the human experience as a pyramid of needs that moves from basic necessities such as clean water to higher functions such as self-actualization, many psychologists and doctors prefer to frame health as having seven dimensions. These are:

1. Mental
2. Physical
3. Social
4. Environmental
5. Financial
6. Spiritual
7. Vocational

Social wellness is one of the pillars of a healthy life. Having a support system of friends, family, and community members is crucial, especially in times of stress or crisis.

What Are the Benefits of Social Wellness?

Not only do relationships make life more meaningful, but they also provide health benefits for older adults. Seniors who maintain a strong network of friends and family members manage stress better and have better cognitive functioning. Research suggests that good social wellness can also help seniors:

• Live longer
• Improve cardiovascular health
• Avoid depression and anxiety
• Recover from illness
• Stay active 

Loneliness and isolation are hard on everyone, but older adults who lack social interaction can experience a severe decline in mental and physical health. Social wellness is a crucial aspect of living a whole and healthy life.

How Can Seniors Improve Social Wellness?

If you or a loved one are looking for ways to develop relationships and improve your social wellness, there are many things you can do. Keeping in touch with family and friends is one of the easiest ways. Schedule regular phone calls or video chats with people close to you.

Some other ways to meet people are:

• Volunteer for an event or at a community center
• Take a class to learn a new skill, such as cooking or dancing
• Pick up a new hobby and join a group with that interest
• Adopt a dog and go on regular walks in your neighborhood
• Move closer to loved ones or join a senior living community

It’s important to check in with the people you love, especially if you or your loved one live alone. Mutual support can go a long way in ensuring better health outcomes for seniors.

What Are Active Senior Living Apartments?

While many older adults live independently in their homes, senior living apartments offer an alternative for people looking to join a community of other active individuals and couples. These apartments provide comfort, style, and amenities that help older adults build genuine friendships and stay active. If you or a loved one are interested in exploring a new living arrangement, schedule a visit to one of our senior living communities. Community makes a difference, and we can’t wait to show you how.

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1. Intensive

Acute rehab hospitals provide intensive care for severe injuries, accidents, surgeries, and medical issues. These facilities generally schedule your loved one for three to five hours of therapy sessions with skilled nurses and other medical professionals daily. The team of healthcare workers will ensure that your loved one gets the treatment they need to relearn essential bodily functions and regain independence.

2. Comprehensive

Hospitals or retirement homes that offer acute rehabilitation programs will provide a comprehensive range of care services for your loved one, addressing various aspects of recovery, including physical, cognitive, and well-being. Acute rehab goes beyond wound treatment and basic healthcare needs. Your loved one will receive the attention they need to get back to living a full and satisfying life.

3. Tailored Treatment

When your loved one takes up residence in an acute rehab facility, a team of medical professionals will design a tailored plan of care and treatment for them. Your loved one’s doctor will provide guidance and instructions to the facility, and a team of skilled nurses and occupational therapists will proceed with daily care for your loved one. The care plan for your loved one may change to fit their needs as they heal.

4. Diverse Team

Short-term rehabilitation facilities employ diverse medical professionals to help your loved one recover. Your loved one will have an attending nurse and may even receive regular visits from an on-call doctor, depending on the severity of the situation. Other healthcare workers, such as occupational, speech, and physical therapists, will arrive at their allotted times and spend one-on-one time with your loved one for dedicated recovery sessions.

5. Short-Term

It’s important to remember that acute rehab hospitals focus on intensive short-term healing. The goal is to help patients recover quickly and transition to their regular lives. Your loved one could spend around two weeks in a short-term rehabilitation facility before returning home, but this will depend on their progress and healing. After a stay in acute rehab, you and your loved one may decide that it’s time to move to assisted living. Many assisted living facilities offer long-term skilled nursing care for residents.

Following a two-week acute rehab program of three to five hours of therapy every day, your loved one may need to follow up with physical or cognitive therapy for a few more weeks. Some patients continue to require one to two hours of daily treatment to help them recover fully.

Discover Person-Centered Care

Facing a severe medical condition or accident is emotionally draining and physically taxing. You and your loved one deserve to experience person-centered care where your loved one’s dignity and independence are the top priorities. Schedule a visit to Mercy Retirement and Care Center to see how a holistic approach to short-term rehabilitation makes a difference.

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How To Improve Hearing in Old Age With Healthy Lifestyle Habits

It’s never too early to practice ear-healthy behaviors. Some habits and lifestyle choices can have serious impacts on your hearing. Here are the most effective things you can do to ensure that you don’t unknowingly speed up hearing loss.

Wear Earplugs

Earplugs are essential for people working in loud environments. If you are exposed to loud noises on a regular basis, it can damage your hearing. Protect your ears by wearing effective earplugs at concerts, around power tools, when mowing the lawn, and anywhere else you are likely to hear high-volume sounds.

Stop Smoking

Smoking can lead to hearing loss, so it’s important to quit today. Even secondhand smoke can negatively impact hearing, so try to avoid it as much as possible. Cigarette smoke can cause blockages within the eustachian tube, leading to hearing loss. Cutting out all exposure to smoke is one of the easiest things you can do to improve hearing.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise is essential for overall well-being, and it can help boost your hearing health as well. Regular light exercise can improve cardiovascular health, which can protect against age-related hearing loss. Don’t go overboard with exercising since excessive physical activity can increase inflammation throughout your body, including in your ears.

Keep External Noise Levels Down

It’s important to keep the volume at an appropriate level when you listen to the television and radio. Exposure to excessive noise is a common cause of hearing loss and impairment, so don’t turn up the sound beyond the midway point. Keep this in mind for when you’re at home, in your car, or wearing headphones.

Schedule Regular Hearing Tests

Doctors know that what improves hearing is having regular check-ups. If you notice anything out of the ordinary happening with your ears, talk to your primary care physician about it and get a hearing test.

Don’t wait until the problem gets worse. Getting tested early can help reveal any changes in your hearing, and then your doctor can give you advice and recommendations to slow down or avoid hearing loss. You and your doctor may decide that hearing aids are necessary to help you hear better, and getting fitted for them early on can help you avoid cognitive hearing loss.

Follow the Directions on Medication

Many common medications, both over-the-counter and prescriptions, can induce hearing loss. Some steroids, NSAIDs, chemotherapy drugs, and even beta blockers can cause this issue, especially if taken for a long time or in large amounts. 

Always follow the directions for how much of a specific medication you are supposed to take and for how long. Never continue a medication for longer than is necessary. Talk about your concerns with your doctor to learn about the risks and how you can avoid them.

What To Do To Improve Hearing With Nutrition and Supplements

Your diet can impact how well you hear, especially as you age. It’s fairly simple to identify what foods improve hearing because they are the same foods that support your overall health. With proper nutrition and the use of effective supplements, you can give your body everything it needs to thrive.

Foods That Improve Hearing

Some foods can lower your risk of hearing loss. The list of foods that improve hearing includes:

• Legumes (peas, lentils, beans)
• Fish
• Broccoli
• Bananas
• Garlic
• Whole grains
• Dark chocolate

These foods contain nutrients that can help you improve hearing in old age. Antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3 oils can help strengthen the bones inside your ears, prevent abnormal bone growth that can lead to hearing loss, and provide your body with vitamins and minerals that minimize your risk of developing hearing-related diseases.

If you feel overwhelmed when you go to the grocery store, remember that the easiest way to get the nutrition you need is by eating whole foods. Avoid the processed foods section of the supermarket and opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, healthy fats such as olive oil, and whole grains.

Supplements for Hearing Health

If you’re concerned about your hearing, you can explore using dedicated supplements and the best vitamins for inner ear health. If you don’t take these supplements already, you can look for them at your local health store: 

• B vitamins
• Magnesium
• Zinc
• Vitamins A, C, and E
• Omega-3 fatty acids

Magnesium and potassium are important for keeping your hearing processes healthy. Magnesium supports the health of cells in the inner ear and can minimize high blood pressure associated with hearing loss. Potassium is involved in fluid balance and can help keep the hair cells in the inner ear healthy. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E are crucial for fighting free radicals in the body and supporting the body’s immune response, and omega-3 fatty acids support brain health.

Before you start on a new regimen of supplements, talk to your doctor about what you want to take. If you’re taking prescription medications, be sure that there are no contraindications with the supplements that are on your list.

Healthcare Professionals Who Know What Is Good for Hearing

Whether you’re already experiencing some hearing loss or you want to avoid it, embracing healthy lifestyle habits will bring many benefits. If you or someone you care for are looking for community support and healthcare guidance, consider joining a senior living community where you can interact with professionals who know what is good for hearing and your overall well-being. Schedule a visit today to discover a community of like-minded older adults who are investing in the future by living fully in the present.

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The deterioration of expression often occurs just as people with dementia require increasing levels of help, causing challenges for friends, family members, and other care partners struggling to provide the best possible care. Here are 10 expert tips you can use as you learn how to talk with dementia patients.

Learn How To Communicate With Dementia Patients

Dementia is an umbrella term for neurological diseases that affect the brain and can impact these areas:

• Memory
• Communication
• Cognition
• Focus

Once you understand how a person with dementia is struggling, you can approach communication with empathy, using effective strategies to improve your interactions. Doing this will make your visits and time spent together more enjoyable and it will decrease the amount of stress both you and your loved one experience.

Tip #1: Create a Positive Atmosphere

Try to create a positive environment for your loved one by speaking in a pleasant voice and using friendly facial expressions. Even if your loved one becomes nonverbal, he or she will pick up on your feelings through your body language and overall demeanor.

Tip #2 Limit Distractions

When you’re serious about learning how to talk with dementia patients, you will want to minimize as many distractions as possible. Individuals with dementia can get easily overstimulated, which leads to agitation. Always meet in a quiet and private place whenever possible.

Start your interaction by letting the person know you will be turning off the TV, radio, and so on. If they don’t agree at first, wait a minute or two before you try again. Attempting to have a conversation over the sound of a loud television show or song will most likely lead to frustration.

Tip #3 Speak Simply and Slowly

When you do have the attention of a person with dementia, begin your conversation by saying your name and your relation to them. Move down to eye level to help them focus on you. Use a reassuring tone and speak slowly, using simple words. 

Avoid increasing your volume, as this can cause unnecessary stress, and it may sound like you are yelling out of frustration. You’ll probably need to repeat yourself during the conversation, so remember to use the same phrasing each time to help your loved one or patient process the information.

Tip #4 Ask Single Questions and Offer a Choice

One of the most helpful communication skills for dementia patients is how to pose questions and choices. The most effective way to do this is by asking only one question at a time. “Yes and no” questions are ideal because your loved one or patient can make their wishes known with just one word.

While you need to keep the questions simple, offering choices is crucial. Limit their possible choices to two options whenever possible. You can also use visual prompts such as pictures, photos, and objects to streamline communication.

Tip #5 Wait for a Reply

Patience is a key quality when practicing how to communicate with dementia patients. People experiencing cognitive difficulties need time to come up with their responses to questions. It can take someone up to a minute or more to process your words and formulate a response.

You will need to get very comfortable with waiting. When it’s appropriate, you may gently suggest words or names to help your loved one or patient settle on an answer. Observe their body language and nonverbal cues to help puzzle out what they might mean.

Tip #6 Break Down Tasks

When you visit or care for someone with dementia, you will likely be helping them with daily tasks, trips, or other errands. As you explain what you’re about to do together, break down the task into steps. 

Work through each step one at a time, providing gentle reminders of what will come next. Use hand motions and other physical demonstrations to help illustrate what is necessary. Approaching your interaction in this way will make it more manageable for the person with dementia and will allow them to maintain dignity and independence.

Tip #7 Change the Subject

When communicating with dementia residents, it’s not uncommon for people to get upset and frustrated. To de-escalate the situation quickly, you can move to a different environment or change the subject. Make it clear that you empathize with the person’s feelings as you suggest an alternative location, activity, or topic.

Tip# 8 Offer Support and Reassurance

Supportive words can go a long way in making someone with dementia feel comfortable and seen. Reassure the person you are talking with that you understand them and that they are communicating clearly. 

Offer physical and verbal statements of support and comfort if it’s appropriate, especially with close family members. Gentle touching — including holding hands — can sometimes encourage the individual to respond when other methods fail.

Tip # 9 Follow the Thread of the Past

Something you’ll learn when coming to terms with how to talk with dementia patients is that the past is a balm for the soul. Dementia can impact short-term memory, making it difficult for people to recall what they did that day or earlier in the week. However, you may find that they remember their past very clearly.

Ask open-ended questions about your loved one’s childhood and youth and give them space to be nostalgic and emotional. Avoid testing their memory or telling them when they remember incorrectly.

Tip #10 Embrace Humor and Laughter

Caregiving for an individual with dementia can be a stressful and frustrating experience. When possible, embrace the little things that make you and your loved one or patient laugh. Focus on and celebrate the strengths that remain.

Healthcare Professionals Who Know How To Talk With Dementia Patients

If your loved one needs specialized support for memory care, you can find it with healthcare professionals who know how to communicate with dementia patients. Regardless of how severe the disease is, your loved one deserves the opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute. Take an assessment today to see if assisted living and memory care are right for your loved one.

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Diseases of the Heart

More than one kind of disease can affect your heart and other parts of your cardiovascular system. Some of the types of illnesses you should be aware of are:

• Coronary artery disease (disease of the blood vessels)
• Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscles)
• Stenosis and atresia (disease of the heart valves)
• Congenital heart defects (heart issue since birth)

One or more types of heart disease may run in your family, but you don’t have to have any genetic predisposition to be at risk. Poor diet, smoking, lack of exercise, and extreme weight gain can all increase your chance of experiencing one of these heart issues.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Knowing the symptoms of heart disease makes it easier to see the warning signs early on. That way, you can discuss treatment options with your doctor so you avoid the most severe consequences, such as heart attack and heart failure. The most common symptoms of heart disease are:

• Chest pain
• Pain in the left arm
• Dizziness
• Excessive Fatigue
• Irregular heartbeat

Not every person displays these symptoms when they have heart disease. You may not experience chest pain at all if you’re a woman. People with diabetes also commonly show lesser-known symptoms. Here are other warning signs of a serious heart issue that you may not be as familiar with:

• Nausea and stomach pain
• Pain in the jaw or upper back
• Swelling in the ankles and legs
• Excessive sweating

You may experience mild versions of these symptoms for months or a few years. Coronary artery disease takes time to develop as plaque builds slowly and blocks blood flow through your heart. When your heart cannot pump blood as efficiently, it impacts the rest of your body.

Knowing When To See Your Doctor

If you have a sudden onset of chest pain or any of the other serious symptoms of a heart attack, including nausea and fatigue, visit an emergency room immediately. Getting to the hospital on time is vital. 

As you age, talking about heart health with your doctor at your regular visit is always a good idea. Be open about your lifestyle and diet and discuss ways you can prevent the more serious complications of heart disease. Your doctor will likely recommend regular exercise and holistic nutrition as preventative measures. Still, medications such as beta blockers and statins can also help you manage your health if you already have coronary artery disease.

Staying Healthy With Community Support

Keeping your heart in shape is about making good lifestyle choices and developing healthy habits. When you live in an active and independent community with other older adults, you’ll find it’s easier to stay motivated. Discover what life is like in a 55+ community. Schedule a visit today.

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Where To Meet Older Adults

There are several ways you can meet older adults who are also interested in dating. One of the simplest is speaking to people in your family and friends about what you want. Finding someone through a personal connection is a great way to get over the uncertainty of meeting up with a stranger.

Beyond your social circle, you can get involved with a group connected to one of your interests, such as hiking, board games, painting, walking, and more. Communities and groups that focus on connecting older adults are convenient places to meet new people. However, if these don’t work out for you, consider exploring senior dating websites or consulting a dating service.

How To Begin Dating

Once you meet someone you want to date, prioritize communication. Be open with your family and close friends about your desire to start dating again, and tell people what you’re up to. Keep safety in mind as you make plans and meet in public at the start of your new relationship until you gain trust with your new partner.

Even though society often portrays romance as just between two people, you don’t have to jump into monogamy immediately. If you are interested in dating multiple people, start an honest conversation with the person you’re dating so that you’re on the same page.

How To Set Boundaries

Regardless of age, setting healthy boundaries in romantic relationships is important. As an older adult, you have probably spent years honing in on what you want and what you are and are not okay with. Be confident when you communicate these boundaries to the people you date.

If you don’t enjoy kissing on the first date, you should not feel pressured. Other questions may arise, such as whether or not you want to have sex or get married again in the future. Honesty and openness will always provide the best results in these situations.

What To Do on Dates

Something many older adults struggle with is coming up with ideas for what to do on dates. Here are some popular date activities: 

• Visit a public park 
• Have a picnic
• Go to a museum or gallery
• See a movie together
• Attend a live concert
• Eat at your favorite restaurant

Above all, you should enjoy what you do on a date. Share your interests and hobbies with the person you’re interested in to find common ground.

Experience Active Senior Living Communities

As you age, you don’t have to settle for loneliness. Active senior living communities offer amenities, convenience, and a supportive environment where you can meet other people around your age who are excited about living life to the fullest. Schedule a visit to a 55+ residential community to discover a new way to embrace older adulthood.

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Your Heart Changes as You Get Older

Aging is a central part of life, and age does have an impact on your heart. The heart is a muscle that moves your blood, sending oxygen to all body parts. As you age, you can develop fatty deposits and fibrous tissues in and around your heart. The valves that control blood flow can also become stiff with age. Your arteries may thicken and become less elastic, especially if you don’t exercise regularly. These changes can impact your heart rate and blood pressure.

Know About These Heart Risks

Knowing what’s happening to your heart in real-time as you age is challenging. Learning about heart health-related risks can help you identify medical issues that need attention. Three common cardiovascular diseases related to the heart are:

• Atherosclerosis – plaque build-up in your arteries that slows down blood flow
• Angina – pain and tightness in the chest; may be an early symptom of heart disease
• Heart failure – your heart cannot pump blood properly; it can develop over time

Heart-related diseases may have similar symptoms. If you have any concerns about your heart or have noticed recent changes such as less ability to exercise or heart palpitations, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Keep Your Heart Healthy After 50

Adults over 50 have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, so it’s crucial to focus on your cardiovascular health. Exercise is The most effective way to maintain a healthy heart. Being active daily will keep your heart’s muscles healthy.

What you eat and drink also plays a part in heart health. Tobacco and alcohol can have negative impacts, so minimize or eliminate them as you get into your later years. Stick to a diet of whole foods and keep your vegetable and fruit intake high to give your body the nutrients it needs.

Understand When To See a Doctor

Because the heart is vital to your overall health, it’s reasonable to feel concerned about it. If you know that your family has a history of heart disease or other cardiovascular illnesses, discuss this with your doctor as early as possible.

If you experience a sudden onset or uptick in the following symptoms, head to the doctor immediately. Watch out for: 

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Dizziness and falling over
• Pain in your chest on the left side
• Irregular heartbeats

The signs of a heart attack can differ for women and can include nausea, body aches, sweating, heartburn, and indigestion.

Stay Active in a 55+ Community

If you feel like you’re missing out on the social life and activities of your younger years, moving to a 55+ community can make a difference. Schedule a visit today to experience the vibrant lifestyle of active older adults.

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When Do People Start Losing Balance?

The ability to balance begins to weaken around 50 years old for most adults. The decline is slow but noticeable. Even an activity that once seemed easy can start to feel challenging as we age. Balance is a necessary part of physical health, from tying shoelaces to sitting on a stool or climbing a ladder.

Why Do People Lose the Ability to Balance?

Some loss of balance in older age is expected because we don’t have the same muscle mass as in our younger years. Differences in metabolism and hormone levels can impact muscle quality and tone from around age 30, though it’s likely not enough of a change to see in the mirror. Regular physical activity and good nutrition can reduce the rate of muscle loss as we age.

Some medical conditions or events can cause an inability to balance. Having heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid problems can lead to dizzy spells and issues balancing. Some medications have side effects that make it harder to balance as well.

What Are the Dangers of Losing Balance?

Not being able to balance is an issue that should be taken seriously because significant health risks are associated with falling and tripping. One out of four older adults gets injured in a fall every year.

For people 65 years and older, falls usually happen at home while going about daily life. Walking up and down stairs, getting in or out of the shower, and bending to pick something up are common situations that can result in a severe fall when balance is compromised.

What Can Older Adults Do To Improve Balance?

Fortunately, improving balance takes very little time and is pretty straightforward. Regular exercise is the key to staying stable as we age. Physical activity that focuses on the core muscles is vital. Gentle yoga, daily walks, and a 10-minute stretching routine are all great options for improving balance.

If these types of physical activities are not possible, older adults can work on balance at home in as little as five minutes a day. Repeating movements, such as transitioning from standing to sitting and back, is a gentle way to build core strength. Another simple exercise to improve balance is to stand on one foot for seven to ten seconds, switch feet, and then repeat three to four times.

Embracing Independent Living for Older Adults

Being able to keep our balance as we age is one of the ways we can protect our independence. Older adults stay healthy longer when they can maintain their routines and control their daily lives. Independent living communities for older adults offer a holistic balance of community, self-reliance, and care. Schedule a visit to one of our communities today to see what’s possible for your future.

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When Is It Time To Start Managing Your Parent’s Finances?

Aging isn’t something that happens overnight. So before cognitive or physical factors become an issue for your parent and hinder their decision-making, have a conversation with them about their finances.

This isn’t an easy conversation to have. Aging parents wanting to hold on to their independence as long as possible often avoid the topic. Adult children not wanting to meddle in their parents’ affairs also often avoid it. The result of waiting and ignoring the issue, however, can be dire. Your parent may see their accounts closed, credit damaged, insurance lapse, and retirement funds drained.

There are early warning signs that indicate it may be time to step in and help your parents manage their money. Watch out for the following behaviors or events:

• There are piles of unopened mail at the house
• Your parents seem to lose track of cash or checks
• Your parents cannot explain calls from creditors
• Your parents complain about not having enough money
• You notice frequent and uncharacteristic trips to the bank
• Your parents send money to participate in multiple contests and sweepstakes 
• Physical ailments or memory problems make it difficult for your parents to keep up with everyday financial tasks

If you start to notice these signs, it’s important not to delay talking to your parents about putting their financial affairs in your hands.

A Step-by-Step Guide: How To Take Over Finances for an Elderly Parent

There’s no right way to approach your parent about financial matters. The best thing you can do is follow these steps before your parent becomes too ill or is incapacitated and cannot communicate with you. Use this information to create a checklist for taking over parents’ finances.

1. Start Early and Start Slow

Having conversations ahead of time before you have to think about how to take over your elderly parent’s finances has two benefits. It makes the transition smoother, and it gives you a better picture of their whole financial landscape. 

If you can, ease into the process as much as possible instead of diving in. For example, if one of your new responsibilities will be to help pay bills by writing checks from their account, do this task together for a while before you do it independently. Make sure you get written consent from your parent for any type of financial responsibility they want you to take on, such as setting up their accounts for automatic payments or canceling a utility.

2. Organize Financial and Legal Documents

Before taking over elderly parents’ finances legally, get all of their documents organized and secured in a safe place. At this stage, you’ll need to complete the following: 

• Record account numbers 
• Check that accounts are in good standing
• Locate legal documents such as birth certificates, insurance policies, deeds, and wills
• Ensure all policies and documents are not out-of-date or invalid
• Note down important contact information your parents keep
• Store all sensitive documents in a secure, fire-proof box

This step can take some time, especially if your parent is still getting used to the idea that they may not be financially independent one day in the future. Assure your parent that you want to move at a pace that’s comfortable for them and that you won’t take over unless it’s absolutely necessary.

3. Consolidate Financial Responsibilities

As you get to know your parents’ financial reality, you may start to notice that they have different systems for bills, credit cards, services, and utilities. At this point, you should encourage them to consolidate and streamline their finances to reduce the burden of keeping up with physical checks and multiple carriers. 

Start by ensuring that you can switch the income they receive to direct electronic deposit. That way they don’t have to sign checks and stand in line at a bank to replenish their accounts. After that, work on consolidating credit card accounts or closing them altogether and getting your parents set up with automatic bill payments.

4. Watch Out for Scams and Identity Theft

Older adults are often the prime targets of financial scams and identity theft. As they age and you contemplate how to take over your parent’s finances, you need to stay alert for signs of financial insecurity and danger. 

Talk to your parents about signing up for a credit monitoring service, and get their permission to receive account transaction alerts in your email or personal device. Get your parents’ numbers and address on the national registry to opt out of spam, and keep an eye on the mail that arrives at their home.

5. Maintain Separate Finances

Your parents might suggest that you combine accounts so that they don’t have to worry about getting behind with the bills, but you should always maintain separate finances. When it comes to taking over elderly parents’ finances legally, things can get messy if you have shared accounts. 

Even though it seems convenient, you need to know what resources your parents have and how to use them appropriately when it comes to that point. You should not mix your personal finances with your parents’.

6. Consider Power of Attorney

One of the most important things that comes up when looking at how to take over your parent’s finances is power of attorney. This is a formal designation that gives you power over your parent’s legal and financial matters. Power of attorney is something your parents can only grant while they are still mentally competent and able to make this decision. 

Exploring this option doesn’t mean your parents need to give you complete control of their lives. There are various forms of power of attorney, some temporary and some permanent. Because it is a legal document, you and your parents can adjust it to fit your expectations and needs. It’s best to consult with a lawyer who specializes in elder law to complete this step.

7. Communicate Clearly and Often

You probably already know that money can impact all kinds of relationships, but it can especially affect family dynamics. So make it a practice to communicate openly with your siblings and other family members about how to take over your elderly parents’ finances. This kind of open communication can help avoid misunderstandings between all parties who have your parent’s best interests at heart.

8. Speak to a Financial Planner or Attorney

The financial health of your parents is almost as important as their physical health. Just as you wouldn’t hesitate to bring in a medical expert for an ailment, don’t hesitate to bring in financial experts to help keep everything in order and share the burden. Financial planners or elder law attorneys know the ins and outs of your unique situation and can help you make sound decisions.

9. Notify the Proper Agencies

As time progresses and you begin taking over your elderly parents’ finances legally, make sure to notify the proper agencies. If you do have power of attorney, your parents’ financial institution needs to have a copy of the document on hand. This also applies to any institution or agency that oversees retirement benefits such as Social Security or Veteran’s Affairs. Similarly, if your parents are on Medicare, inform the agency about your legal role.

10. Keep Up-to-Date Documentation

When it comes to serious changes such as taking over your parent’s finances, you have to document every step of the process. While you will likely reach important points of consensus through discussion, try to follow up your in-person conversations in writing via email. 

Take detailed notes of what you talked about and include dates. Show your parents and siblings that you are keeping track of how the conversations progress so that everyone feels included. Maintaining proper documentation will help you avoid legal problems in the future.

Most Common Questions: How To Take Over an Elderly Parent’s Finances

Is it legal to take over an elderly parent’s finances?

When done in the correct way, it is legal to take over your parent’s finances. However, you must understand that simply having access to your parent’s online banking accounts and being able to receive or send money with that information is not explicitly legal or legally binding. 

Taking control of an elderly parent’s finances legally means getting power of attorney to act on their behalf. You can only create this legal document while your parent has the presence of mind and is capable of making that decision. If your parent is incapacitated or incapable of signing legal documents, you will have to petition a court for legal guardianship, which can come with expensive legal fees and may take many months.

What’s the best way to talk to elderly parents about their financial state and future?

It’s never easy to start a conversation about finances. Even if your parents are in a good financial position with enough retirement funding and other income streams to stay comfortable for many years, it’s still important to plan ahead for their financial future. 

Try a gentle approach where you discuss your finances first. Let your parents know that you have a designated person lined up to take over your finances if anything happens to you. Then you can pose the question of what your parents have planned if something happens to them in the future.

Is there a checklist of what to do to take control of a parent’s finances?

As you plan to move toward overall management of your parent’s finances, check off each of these items one at a time:

• Begin an open and ongoing conversation about the future of your parent’s finances
• Take stock of your parent’s current financial landscape, including accounts, income, and expenses
• Organize and secure your parent’s financial and legal documents
• Communicate with your family members about any plans you make with your parents
• Streamline your parent’s bill payments and consolidate any leftover debt
• Assume one financial task at a time as your parent sees fit
• Discuss power of attorney and consult a lawyer to draft a legal document
• Be aware of actions and situations that signal when it may be time to step in and take control

Having this checklist on hand will help you navigate challenging situations that come up as your parents age.

How To Take Over an Elderly Parent’s Finances With Community Support

Trading roles with a parent as the financial caregiver and custodian can be overwhelming. Lean on your siblings and other family members to get through it as you discuss how to take over your parent’s finances. If you can, share some of the responsibilities with another person so that you don’t shoulder it all yourself. Remember that the sooner you understand your parents’ finances, the easier it will be to take over when they need your help to stay financially sound.

Elder Care Alliance has served older adults and their families in California for nearly 20 years through five different senior living communities. From day one, our mission and vision have been centered on the care of seniors — putting their well-being and dignity at the forefront of all we do. 

We operate a network of communities that offers a range of senior living options with varying levels of service, support, and care. Whether you’re looking for a little assistance or a higher level of care, a short-term stay, or a new home, Elder Care Alliance has a community to meet your needs. We would love to give you a tour of one of our communities and answer any questions you have as you explore the best community for yourself or a loved one. If you would like to set up a virtual tour or see us in person, please call us today at (510) 617-5905.

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