Using the POLST form at end-of-life One of the greatest gifts ever received from my parents are their living wills, appointment of a healthcare power of attorney and their willingness to share that information with my brother and me. (Jump to Lessons Learned) Dad and mom completed their Five Wishes advance directives together, and committed to honoring one another’s … [Read more...]
Keeping Parents Safe at Home Without Huge Expense
It's the little things that matter most. Our family home is 57 years old; maintenance and modifications that allow mom to stay in her home are a part of her health care investment. (Jump to Lessons Learned) Modifications allowing your parents to age-in-place are not always big, expensive projects. My father, whom I fondly called MacGyver, was a master at inventing little … [Read more...]
4 Tips For Taking Control Of Medication When You Have A Chronic Illness
Managing multiple medications can be a full time job. Until the last year of my father’s life I did not understand what a complex process it can be when doctors need to prescribe medication for patients with chronic illnesses. Or the effort it takes for a patient to be compliant. (Jump to Lessons Learned) For eight years after his heart attack, dad managed his failing heart … [Read more...]
Financial Durable Power of Attorney is Critical for Parents Care
It allows you to pay your parent’s bills My father and I had spoken several times about my role as financial durable power of attorney for him and for my mother. But when he went into the hospital in November of 2014, I discovered the papers had never been signed or notarized. (Jump to Lessons Learned) As the child in closest proximity, dad had asked me to take on the … [Read more...]