Estate Planning

Caring for an Elderly Parent - Letting Go

By Greg Herman-Giddens

For those who have been through a similar experience, this poignant article Letting Go of My Father, which details Jonathan Rauch's struggles in caring for his elderly father, will solicit empathy.  For younger readers, it can provide a glimpse of things to come.

While the article does not cover the issue, the legal aspects of caring for an elderly relative can be greatly simplified by making sure a durable general power of attorney, health care power of attorney, living will and HIPAA authorization are in place early on.  Once an elder becomes mentally incapacitated, it's too late. 

Also, geriatric care managers can provide invaluable assistance, even when an elder is in facility, by monitoring health care, medications, etc.

Thanks to attorney Kathe Joyce for bringing the article to my attention.

Full post as published by North Carolina Estate Planning Blog on March 15, 2010 (boomark / email).