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Elder Care

Preparing Financially to Care for Aging Parents

By Teri Brown

O'Toole says that the biggest mistake made by family caregivers is not asking for help. "The long-term care service system in the U.S. is very fragmented and difficult for a novice to navigate," O'Toole says. "Caregivers can make their lives and the lives of their elderly parents much easier by seeking out help. Remember, whatever your financial and emotional resources, you are not alone."

Professional geriatric care managers, or PGCMs as they are also called, are social workers, counselors, nurses and other eldercare specialists who assist older people and their families to attain the highest quality of life given their circumstances. These care managers will conduct planning assessments for you to identify problems and provide solutions. They can also screen, arrange and monitor in-home help and your financial, legal and other healthcare issues. They can also act as a liaison for families who are trying to care for their parent from a distance. Caregivers can locate a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers in their community by going to their Web site, www.caremanager.org.

The emotional aspects of providing care for an aging parent is difficult enough; you shouldn't have to worry about the financial aspects as well. With some foresight, planning and a little help, you can be assured of making your parent's last days as comfortable as possible for everyone involved.