As we wind up April and head into May, you should know that May is Older Americans Awareness Month. What does that mean? Maybe it is time to check on mom or dad and see how their health is going and how their current living arrangements are working. Check out the six areas you need to cover with mom and dad.

6 Questions You Need to Ask Your Aging Parents

1. Home Life. First, you need to know if their current living arrangement is working for them. Can they manage the yard, the stairs or their cooking? These are pertinent questions that will help you determine if they need to look at different living arrangements or in home care or help. 

2. Health. Another big area to cover is their current health. Do they have any issues or concerns that need to be addressed? How are they with medications and are they talking with their doctors and pharmacist to make sure they are taking the correct combination of medications that do not have alarming side effects or do not work well with each other. Can they get to the doctor and then can they remember what the doctor is saying and understand what is going on with their health as they are aging. Finally, if they are taking medications, do they remember when and how much to take. These are viable questions that are important in your parents’ health. 

3. Insurance. Insurance is difficult without throwing in the aging factor. What kind of insurance do your parents have? Do they have Medicare or Medicaid? How can you help them navigate the insurance highway with ease and less confusion? You need to make sure they have proper insurance and look into other options like Long Term Care Insurance or supplemental insurances to cover their expenses and prepare for the “What if this happens” scenarios because “it”  will happen at some point. It is better to be prepared than to be shocked and unable to help your parents. 

4. Finances. Finances are always a difficult discussion because most people do not like talking about their money. However, it is necessary to know if your parents can pay their bills and are able to live comfortably as they age. Comfort is different for everyone and you need to establish what that looks like from THEIR perspective. Do they need an outside or “professional” financial planner to help get things prioritized and or establish how they can live the next chapter of life with minimal worry and concern. This is also a good time to examine if they have a will and if they have anything they need to get in writing to make things easier and less confusing later. Finally, it is important to see if they have a living will and it is up to date.

5. Socialization. This is one area many people forget about and it is very important to make sure your parents have purpose with life. Your parents need to have friends and family to connect with and feel the love they so need and crave. Make sure you ask if they talk to friends on the phone or go out and about with others to engage in life activities. You might even establish a plan that keeps them in the loop with family visitors; so, they never feel unwanted or alone. Socialization is key to living life to the fullest as you age. It also can help you pick up on clues if they are having issues with hearing, moving or connecting with others. 

6. Mobility. Questions about mobility can be touchy as it is a sure sign that adjustments need to be made with living or transportation. Sometimes you need to ask the hard questions to keep your parents safe. Also, mobility questions can make them feel older and that is a reality and a tough pill to swallow sometimes. You need to know if they can drive and feel safe and if they can move freely about their home and not be worried if they will fall. Also you want them to have freedom to visit friends and go to the store or church without being in danger. Therefore mobility questions are a must. 

Aging is not for the weak and helping your parents age with grace and happiness is not an easy task either. Connect with your parents on the six areas above and you will be well on your way to helping them age with comfort. If you have more questions or concerns about your aging parents contact Ann Jamison at Senior Living Options. She is experienced with aging adults and how to find the best living arrangements for your parents at each chapter of the aging process. She has been a caregiver and has expert advice to help you have a positive experience while helping mom or dad so they can manage their next chapter of living to the fullest.

Author: Ann Jamison

Ann Jamison is an experienced senior advisor who has successfully worked with hundreds of families to help them find the best care and home-like environment for themselves or their loved ones. Prior to launching Senior Living Options, Ann was an eldercare advisor for a national placement agency and served as sales director at a senior living community. Thanks to her 25-year career in advertising sales and marketing, Ann is able to discern between hype and reality for her clients. Ann recognizes that there are objective factors that need to be weighed when making a life-changing decision, but she can also assess the important softer attributes by getting to know her clients and by using the gut instincts that can only come through extended experience.