There may well come a time when a role reversal occurs and you find yourself in a position where you have to take care of your parents or a single parent to one extent or another.

Many people are proud and they do not want to tell their children that they are having difficulties either physically or cognitively. And of course, some people with cognitive problems are not fully aware of them.

For the above reasons you would do well to keep a close eye on your aging parents as you try to detect any telltale signs of decline.

You know your parents better than anyone, and you know about their grooming habits and the way that they have always presented themselves. You are also well aware of how your parents typically keep their home when all is well. If you see things changing for the worse it may be time to have a serious conversation about living assistance.

If you have concerns you may also want to arrange for a consultation with a good elder law attorney. Your lawyer will listen as you explain all the details of your situation and give you the appropriate guidance.

Courses of action could include the execution of incapacity planning documents, like durable powers of attorney, giving you the power to make decisions on behalf of a parent or parents. And, you will learn about the Medicaid program and how it is sometimes possible to utilize this program to pay for long-term care if it becomes necessary at some point in time.

Larry Parman
Author, President and Founding Attorney
Parman & Easterday