Most families wait until an emergency hits before discussing senior care with their parents, but experts say having these conversations early can lead to better outcomes and less conflict. Tatyana Zlotsky, CEO of A Place for Mom, notes that 77% of families she works with wish they had acted sooner.
Planning Ahead
Planning before a crisis gives families more time to compare care options, understand costs, and honor an older adult’s wishes instead of making rushed decisions. Family caregivers lose an average of $21,000 per year as they cut back on work to care for aging relatives.
Zlotsky emphasizes that cognitive decline often begins with subtle changes in executive functioning, not always dramatic memory loss. Adult children should pay attention to these signs during routine visits, as they may signal that it’s time to talk about future care plans.
When having the conversation, Zlotsky stresses the importance of listening to the older adult’s preferences. Families should seek guidance from a professional and look for signs of cognitive decline, such as changes in daily routines or difficulty with tasks.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
