The way I lived my life. I recently came across my dad’s Five Wishes Advance Directive. He used this legal document to plan and ensure his end-of-life wishes were known in the event he was unable to communicate. The person he’d named as first was himself. My sister-in-law followed, and I was third. My father didn’t shy away from tough conversations or hard decisions. He faced … [Read more...]
The Visiting Nurse Association – Who Are They? What Services Do They Provide?
The VNA Gave Dad Medical Support at Home After His Hospital Stay. Organizations with the title ”Visiting Nurse Association” (VNA) are one of many nonprofit, mission-based Medicare certified home health agencies that provide physician-prescribed medical services, along with home care and caregiver assistance services. (Jump to Lessons Learned) There is no singular “Visiting … [Read more...]
Caregivers Need Access to Documents as Advocates for Your Parents
Are personal papers REALLY in order? For the entire 61 years of my parent’s marriage their copy of their marriage license, had the wrong date on it. (Jump to Lessons Learned) Proving that my mother had the right to anything in my father’s name: Social Security spousal benefits, retirement funds, even changing the electric and gas bill into her name required not only a copy of … [Read more...]