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Topic: Be Independent at Home

Have a Habitable Home

  • Consider common problems & solutions for aging at home

  • Improve accessibility for Elders with limited mobility

  • Make door handles easier to use

  • Install door locks that are easy to use

  • Improve TV sound for the hearing impaired

  • Consider devices for low vision Elders

  • Use digital assistants to more easily control the Elder's environment

  • Consider using a senior friendly cell phone

Community Support

  • Does the Elder need help at home?

  • Consider charities that help seniors

  • Inform the Police about the Elder's living situation

  • Inform the fire department about the Elder's living situation

  • Inform the Post Office department about the Elder's living situation

  • Introduce the Elder to appropriate neighbors

  • Consider organizations that help Elders with nutrition

  • Consider organizations that help Elders with transportation

  • Consider organizations that help Elders with expenses

  • Consider services for veterans

  • Does the Elder's religious institution offer helpful services?

  • Consider using respite care to give Champions and Caregivers a rest

  • Consider using a home healthcare service

  • Catholic Charities help people of all denominations

  • Jewish Community Centers help people of all denominations

  • Visiting Nurse Association makes home visits

  • Consider using senior centers and supportive services for Older Adults

Live-In Help

  • Consider issues that arise when a family member moves in with an Elder

  • Consider hiring a live-in companion for the Elder

  • Consider sharing the home with a roommate

  • Consider using a home sharing resource center

  • Consider using a home sharing matchup program for Elders

Delivery Services

  • Sign up for USPS Informed delivery for your Elder's mail

  • Setup grocery delivery services

  • Setup restaurant food delivery services

  • Arrange for delivery of household items

  • Senior meal delivery services

  • Using salon and nail services visit the Elders home directly

Pet Care

  • Select a pet for the Elder

  • Find a pet for the Elder

  • Consider using an in-home pet grooming service

  • Find a vet that does house calls

  • Consider hiring a dog walker

  • Consider re-homing the Elder's pet if they can no longer care for it

  • Prepare for the Elder's pet dying

  • Prepare the Elder to cope with the death of a pet

  • Consider buying pet insurance for the Elder's pet

Household Items

  • Consider products that help Elders who live alone

  • Keep a copy of all keys and the garage clicker

  • Know where all appliance documentation and warranties are stored

  • Make sure there is an adequate supply and replenishment strategy for paper goods.

  • Make sure there is an adequate supply and replenishment strategy for cleaning products

  • Replace items that wear out

  • Have adequate lighting and spare light bulbs

  • Have several flashlights

  • Have  toilet plungers in each bathroom

  • Have Drano / Liquid Plumber on hand

  • Have an adequate supply of standard and specialty batteries (e.g. hearing aid)

  • Have kitchen bags and storage products

  • Have spare HVAC filters

  • Have a step stool

  • Ensure that any firearms are safely stored

  • Consider household alerts for hearing impaired Elders

Home Cleaning

  • Can the Elder clean the kitchen?

  • Can the Elder clean the toilet?

  • Can the Elder clean the bathtub?

  • Can the Elder change the beddings?

  • Can the Elder do laundry?

  • Can the Elder take out the trash?

  • Properly take care of pets?

  • Can the Elder vacuum and sweep?

  • Consider buying a robotic vacuum cleaner

  • Find a Housekeeping Service

Home Maintenance

  • Find a way to verify the roof and gutters are OK

  • Can the Elder change the HVAC filters?

  • Can the Elder maintain the water softener system?

  • Can the Elder maintain window screens and storm windows?

  • Can the Elder change leaking toilet seals?

  • Can the Elder change light bulbs?

  • Find a way to fix plumbing problems

  • Find a way to fix electrical problems

  • Can the elder maintain door and cabinet handles and locks?

  • Find a way to fix broken appliances

  • Find a home maintenance service

Yard Care

  • Can the Elder maintain the lawn?

  • Can the Elder maintain the garden?

  • Can the Elder maintain the pool?

  • Can the Elder remove snow from the driveway and sidewalk?

  • Can the Elder maintain outdoor fixtures?

  • Consider hiring a lawn care service

  • Consider hiring a pool care service

  • Consider hiring a snow removal service

Car Care

  • Assure the Elder has roadside assistance like AAA

  • Make sure the Elder knows how to use the roadside assistance

  • Enroll the Elder in in a senior driving safety course

  • Can the Elder maintain their car?

  • Purchase appropriate Driver's insurance for the Elder

  • Is it less expensive and safer to sell the car and use shared ride services instead?

  • Verify the car is registered and has the smog check done on time

Home and Rental Insurance

  • Have a home owner or rental insurance policy

  • Make sure the insurance policy covers in-home workers and visitors

  • Have proof of the value of possessions and store it the system

  • Consider buying home owner's insurance if the Elder owns their home

  • Consider buying renter's Insurance if the Elder rents

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Topic: Find a New Home

General Issues with Finding a New Home

  • Does the Elder need support with their living situation?

  • Consider types of housing for the Elder

  • Understand cost vs level of care options

  • Review available housing options

  • Consider how to talk with the Elder about their living choices

  • Consider how to select the right facility

  • Appreciate fears you or the Elder may have about them moving

  • Contact the local public health department to find out if the residence of interest has a history of communicable disease transmission, etc.

  • Consider what is a Long-Term Care Facility

  • Prepare to move the Elder's household

  • Consider selling a burial plot if the Elder pre-purchased a plot and they move to a new city

Age Restricted Community

  • Consider things to know about living in an age-restricted community

  • Compare pros and cons of age-restricted communities

  • Review age-restricted communities

  • Review best selling age-restricted communities

  • Consider how to choose an age-restricted community

  • Review best active adult communities

  • Find communities by geography

  • Be aware of community restrictions that limit flexibility as Elder needs more care

Live with Family or Friends

  • Should the Elder move in with a friend or family member?

  • Should the Elder move into your home?

  • Consider issues when moving an Elder Into your home

  • Consider how much the Elder will contribute to the household

  • Consider how much help the Elder needs

Senior Apartment

  • Compare living in a senior apartment vs. an all-ages apartment

  • Compare living in a senior apartment vs independent retirement community

  • Consider how to find a senior friendly apartment

  • Can the apartment be modified to increase accessibility?

  • Will the apartment become a condo and force the Elder to move?

  • How convenient is the apartment's neighborhood for the Elder?

  • How safe is the apartment's neighborhood?

  • Think about having the Elder retire on a cruise ship

Shared Housing

  • Consider shared living options including houses administered by a company as well individuals with housemates

  • What will happen if different housemates need differing level of assistance over time?

  • Review shared housing for seniors

  • Review how senior house sharing is increasing

  • Consider senior cooperative housing options

  • Consider congregate senior housing options

Adult Care Home

  • Consider adult care homes

  • Consider residential care homes

  • Consider adult foster homes

  • Consider adult family homes

  • Consider group homes

  • Can you monitor the facility?

  • Consider city and state level regulations

  • What is the experience of the foster family?

  • Who else is in the facility?

  • How does the Elder leave if the option does not work out?

  • Is the facility safe?

  • Find adult care homes

Independent Living in a Managed Facility

  • Compare independent living vs assisted living

  • Select an independent living community

  • Consider criteria for choosing a facility

  • Be aware if there a waiting list

  • Inquire about references from existing residents or family members

  • How important it is to be able to visit the Elder without a long drive

  • Find the independent living facilities

Assisted Living Facility

  • Compare assisted living vs independent living

  • What is assisted living?

  • Consider questions to ask when choosing a facility

  • Review facilities that are highly rated

  • Check with the state department of social services to see if the facility is well run

  • How important it is to be able to visit the Elder without a long drive?

  • Find assisted living facilities

Continuing Care Retirement Community

  • Understand how continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) work

  • What’s the best age to move Into a CCRC?

  • Consider things about continuing care retirement communities

  • Consider how to search for a continuing care retirement community

  • Find continuing care retirement communities

Specialized Short Term Care

  • Understand the difference between short-term and long-term skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)

  • Consider rehabilitation facilities for Elders

  • Consider substance abuse facilities for Elders

  • Be aware of Medicare coverage for transitional care

  • Avoid early discharge from a skilled nursing facility

  • Consider respite care that gives the Champion/Caregiver time away from the rigors of providing Elder care

  • Consider transferring the Elder to a hospice facility or to the family home

  • Be aware of Medicare coverage for hospice

Nursing Home

  • What is custodial care?

  • What is the difference between a nursing home and an assisted living facility?

  • What is a nursing home and how does it differ from a skilled nursing facility?

  • Understand nursing homes

  • Determine criteria to use to choose the right nursing home

  • Consider qualities to look for when choosing a nursing home

  • Create a nursing home selection checklist

  • Select a nursing home

Skilled Nursing Facility - Long Term

  • Compare rehabilitation vs. long-term skilled nursing care

  • Does the Elder have a chronic condition that requires a specialized facility?

  • Consider what to look for when choosing a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

  • Select a skilled nursing facility

Memory Care Facility

  • What is a memory care facility?

  • Compare memory care vs. assisted living

  • Does the Elder need memory care?

  • Review a memory care guide

  • Be aware of costs for memory care

  • Find memory care (Alzheimer's / Dementia) facilities

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Find a New Home

Topic: Increase Safety & Security

COVID-19 Prevention Plan

  • Follow advice to limit exposure

  • Have a stock of N95 masks for everyone interacting with the Elder

  • Taking Vitamin D and Zinc supplements may help

  • Have hand sanitizer available to everyone who visits

  • Have a fingertip pulse oximeter and instruct caregivers or the Elder how to use it

  • Have an air purifier

  • Consider using UV light as a way to disinfect the environment

  • Consider increasing air circulation

  • Use cleaning products that are effective against COVID-19

  • Having caregivers regularly tested for infection

  • Consider how food affect with COVID-19

  • Consider using a delivery service for food and household items

COVID-19 Exposure Plan

  • Document symptoms and time

  • Contact family members

  • Contact the residence manager and caregivers

  • Contact the doctor

  • Follow guidelines

  • Consider how to safely provide caregiving

  • Have the Elder tested

  • Consider how to quarantine the Elder

Electronic Activity and Health Monitoring

  • What activity monitoring options are there?

  • Consider medical alert monitors

  • Consider wearable monitors

  • Consider heart ECG monitors

  • Consider pulse oximeters

  • Consider glucose meters

  • Consider sleep monitors

Safety and Emergency Planning

  • Have an evacuation plan

  • Have the Elder know how to shutoff the gas

  • Have a handy emergency kit

  • Review a disaster preparedness guide

  • Have the Elder carry an in-case of emergency card

  • Should the Elder stop driving?

  • Consider extreme ways to stop the Elder from driving

  • Identify and prevent Elder abuse

  • Be aware of signs of alcohol abuse

  • Be aware of signs of prescription drug abuse

  • Be aware of  of signs of eating disorders

  • Be aware of the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases

Home Safety

  • Use a home safety checklist

  • Consider using a home inspection service

  • Consider using a home safety contractor

  • Review fire safety

  • Make the stairs safe

  • Consider using stair safety devices

  • Consider using bathroom safety devices

  • Review kitchen safety

  • Use supplemental oxygen safely

  • Consider buying dementia friendly kitchen devices

  • Consider safety at a managed residence

  • Consider using an electric stove shutoff smoke detector

  • Be aware of the danger of carbon monoxide poisening

  • Make sure the iron has auto-shutoff

  • Consider how to alert hearing impaired Elders

Environment Control

  • Maintain a safe room temperature

  • Maintain a safe humidity for the Elder

  • Manage allergy season

  • Consider buying an air purifier

  • Assure adequate indoor lighting

  • Consider buying motion detector lighting

  • Consider buying a water purifier

Scam Protection

  • Discuss scams with the Elder

  • Make sure the elder is aware of common scams

  • Consider advise to avoid identity theft

  • Apply a credit freeze to avoid identity theft

  • Make sure the Elder is aware of religious scams

  • Review the Elder's email Inbox

  • Review the Elder's email spam folder

  • Review the Elder's texts

  • Review the Elder's mail

  • Review the Elder's inbound and outbound call logs

  • Monitor the Elder's checkbook

  • Monitor the Elder's cash withdrawals

  • Reduce the Elder's credit card limits

  • Receive credit card alerts

  • Remove valuables that can be stolen

  • Look for hoarded cash

  • Adjust phone settings to reject unknown callers and texts

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Increase Safety & Security

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Topic: Find & Hire Caregivers

Is Hiring a Private Caregiver Right For You?

  • Understand types of caregivers and their varying responsibilities

  • Are you able to manage an individual employee or contractor?

  • Are you willing to manage planned and unplanned absences?

  • Are you willing to manage caregiver schedules?

  • Are you able to provide constant care if the caregiver quits or is unavailable suddenly?

  • Are you able to supervise day to day work related issues with the caregiver?

  • Do you need to hire multiple private caregivers?

  • Can you manage federal, state, and local payroll taxes?

  • Are you able to file long-term care or other insurance reimbursement claims?

Find Private Caregiver Candidates

  • Consider how to find and hire a caregiver

  • Is there anyone you or the family knows that should be considered for the job?

  • Is there someone who has worked with the Elder or for the family that could fill the private caregiver role?

  • Is there a local nursing program where you could find a qualified caregiver?

  • Consider how to find caregiver candidates

  • Consider using a caregiver finding service

Hire a Private Caregiver

  • Confirm the candidates' residence status

  • Prepare to pay employer taxes

  • Consider using a payroll service

  • Consider carrying liability insurance

  • Prepare a contract

  • Prepare to pay competitively

  • Prepare interview questions

  • Consider questions you are not allowed to ask

  • Can you ask the candidate about their health status?

  • Does the candidate's residence status allow them to legally work?

  • Consider having a trial period before fully hiring permanently

  • Obtain a resume and then call the listed references

  • Verify that the caregiver has reliable transportation

  • Does the caregiver keep a clean car?

  • Is the caregiver's transportation suitable for the elder?

  • Make sure the caregiver has a dedicated mobile phone

  • Do a background check

  • Verify the candidate is comfortable using Everything For Mom & Dad to enter information such as Daily Living Moments and Medical Events

  • Ensure good 2 way communication with the elder

  • Does the caregiver ask pertinent and empathetic questions about the Elder?

  • Ensure good communication with the Champion

Select a Caregiver Agency

  • Review city recommendations for caregiver agencies

  • Consider highly rated caregiver agencies

  • Consider using a checklist to select a caregiver agency

The Caregiver's First Day

  • Prepare an Elder introduction biography as an "Instruction"

  • Prepare an Elder list of favorites as an "Instruction"

  • Have the caregiver reviews all instructions

  • Know the caregiver's legal name's spelling and pronunciation

  • Know the caregiver's preferred conversational name

  • Inform the Elder of the caregiver's preferred conversational name and visa versa

  • Confirm a time when the caregiver can visit the Elder

  • Determine if you can be present or on a call when the Elder and caregiver are introduced

  • Enter the caregiver's information as either a User or a Contact

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Find  & Hire Caregivers

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Find  & Hire Caregivers

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Find  & Hire Caregivers

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Find  & Hire Caregivers

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Find  & Hire Caregivers

Topic: Manage Health

Advanced Directives

  • What are advanced directives?

  • Access advanced directives forms

  • Consider having a medical (healthcare) power of attorney (POA)

  • Choose to make "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR), "Do not Intubate" (DNI), and "Do not Hospitalize" (DNH) orders

  • Consider having a living (medical treatment) will

  • Compare DNR vs a Living Will

  • Be aware of medical orders for life sustaining treatment (MOLST)

  • Consider organ donation

  • Consider body donation

  • Consider having an advanced directive for pet care

  • Do not confuse a medical POA with a financial POA

Common Health Issues

  • Be aware of common health problems for Elders

  • Be aware of common diseases and resources for each

  • Consider Alzheimer's and dementia

  • Consider substance abuse

  • Be aware of signs of Elder abuse

  • Be aware of signs of psychological problems

  • Be aware of signs of suicidal tendencies

  • Be aware of sight loss

  • Be aware of hearing loss

  • Consider ways to manage chronic pain

  • Consider when to use palliative care for pain management

  • Consider when to use hospice care

Select Healthcare Providers

  • Consider how to select a physician

  • Find potential physicians

  • Would using a geriatrician be beneficial?

  • Consider how to select a hospital

  • Find potential hospitals

  • Does the physician have admitting rights to the hospital of choice?

  • Consider options for care other than the emergency room

  • Consider how to select an urgent care facility

  • Consider getting the most out of Urgent Care

  • Find urgent care facilities

  • Is home healthcare service needed?

  • Find home health services

  • Consider how to select a hospice provider

  • Find potential hospice providers

  • Consider using non-emergency medical transport services

  • Find non-emergency medical transport services

  • Consider having the Elder use Tele-medicine

Healthcare Insurance

  • Understand Medicare

  • Does the Elder have Medicare Part B?

  • What is the Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty?

  • What is the cost of Medicare Part B and is the Elder eligible?

  • What is Medicare Advantage?

  • What is Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance?

  • What is the difference between Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance and Medicare Advantage?

  • There’s no difference between Medigap and Medicare Supplement Insurance

  • What is Medicare Select and how does it differ from Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance?

  • Consider having secondary insurance with Medicare

  • Know how Medicaid works with Medicare

  • Can the Elder enroll in Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance after the Elder is past 65?

  • Can the Elder switch between Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance and Medicare Advantage?

  • Consider switching Medicare Advantage plans

  • When can the Elder signup for Medicare Advantage?

  • Be aware there are several types of Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans

  • Consider reasons to choose Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance Plan G vs. Medicare Advantage Plans

  • Consider getting Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) and Medicare Part D

  • Be aware of the best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans

  • Consider having the Elder enroll in a sperate Part D (prescriptions) plan

  • Does the Elder need a stand alone dental or vision insurance plan?

  • Consider how to cover hear aid costs

  • Consider Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans for veterans and their spouses

  • Having Medicare cover telehealth appointments

Transitions To And From Healthcare Facilities

  • Consider what to do when the Elder is admitted into the hospital

  • What information and items are needed when admitted to a hospital or short term skilled nursing facility?

  • Create an "Instruction" to tell family, friends, doctors, and caregivers (using "Contacts") of the transition and what actions should be taken

  • Consider what to do when the Elder is discharged from the hospital or skilled nursing facility back home

  • Consider what to do when the Elder is transferred to a short term skilled nursing facility

Manage Prescriptions

  • Consider making the refill cycles 90 days and use auto refill

  • Consider making the prescriptions generic which may reduce co-pay cost

  • Check for expired prescriptions monthly (Use the "Monthly Checklist")

  • Make sure there is at least one month's prescriptions on-hand (Use the "Monthly Checklist")

  • Consider using a sophisticated pill dispenser

  • Consider using a mail order prescription service

  • Consider having the pharmacy deliver to the home

  • Be aware of drug interactions

  • Be aware of drug side effects

  • Determine what foods the Elder should avoid when taking each prescription

  • Create instructions for "Take as Needed" or "Up to X times a day" rules for caregivers

  • Consider having the Elder's home digital assistant (e.g. Alexa) remind the Elder daily to take their medications

Vitamins and Supplements

  • Consider having the Elder's home digital assistant (e.g. Alexa) remind the Elder daily to take their medications

  • Review what vitamins & supplements might be helpful?

  • Is CBD oil safe and useful?

  • Consider multi-vitamins

  • Consider a fiber supplement for constipation

  • Consider how to relieve heart burn?

  • Consider sleep aids for the Elder

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Manage Health

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Manage Health

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Manage Health

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Manage Health

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Manage Health

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Manage Health

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Manage Health

Topic: Manage Finances

Monitor Expenses

  • Consider ways to help the Elder manage money

  • Can the Elder manage their own expenses?

  • Does the Elder need to keep a budget?

  • Verify all insurance policies are paid on time

  • Verify all bills are paid on time

  • Use a credit card dedicated to paying periodic bills

  • For bills that are paid by check, put the payment the "Monthly Checklist"

  • For paperless bills notifications, create a dedicated free (e.g. Gmail, ProtonMail, etc.) account for all communications so they stay all in one place

  • Review credit card statements for recurring charges that are not needed or not legitimate

  • Have credit card fraud or warning notifications go to a Champion

  • Make sure the Elder has an appropriate cell phone plan

  • Periodically review cancelled checks and credit card statements to make sure spending is under control

  • Find local utility providers for the Elder

Taxes

  • Has the Elder been using a tax preparation service or accountant?

  • Get help from the IRS

  • Review recent years' tax returns and check for consistency or unusual items

  • Does the Elder need to file estimated payments quarterly?

  • Be aware of required minimum distributions for retirement accounts

  • Avoid selling the Elder's assets while they are alive because there may be a tax advantage to delaying  until after the Elder passes

  • For tax preparation, make sure you can access current records for taxable income and distribution sources

  • Be aware of tax breaks the Elder can use

  • Be aware of property tax relief for Elders

  • Be aware of which expenses are tax deductible for the Elder

  • What portion of In home caregiver expenses is deductible as a medical expense?

Access to Assets and Records

  • Make sure you have access to the Elder's safe deposit Box(es) after passing

  • Where is the safe combination?

  • Where are login IDs and passwords for all online financial websites stored?

  • Be aware of hidden cash and valuables

  • Make sure you have access to all locked rooms, closets, boxes, etc. in the home that may contain assets or records

  • Have access to all records of income sources and bonds

  • Have access to all records of property and timeshares

  • Have access to all investment accounts

  • Have access to all records of private investments

  • Have access to all insurance policies

Preserve Assets

  • Catalog financial assets

  • Avoid paying commissions that do not lead to greater performance

  • Estimate income generated from the current assets

  • If expenses exceed income, determine how best to draw down assets or reduce expenses

  • Consider paying for increasing levels caregiving over time

  • Consider if the assets should be reinvested to increase return, lower taxes, or reduce risk

  • Create an inventory of all valuables

  • Would it be better to sell the Elder's car and have them use a ride share service instead?

  • How can a trust help the Elder qualify for Medicaid while preserving assets

  • Consider getting professional advise about managing the Elder's estate

The Elder's House

  • If the Elder is living in their own house, consider acquiring a reverse mortgage

  • Consider getting a second mortgage, refinancing the first mortgage, getting a line of credit to borrow money, etc. to avoid selling the house

  • There may be a tax advantage to selling the house after the Elder passes

  • Consider how to sell the house after the Elder passes

  • If the Elder is no longer living in the house, should it be rented out?

  • If the Elder has lived in their house for a long time, verify it is insured at the right level

Use Medicaid

  • What does Medicaid offer Elders?

  • Consider using Medicaid to pay for long term care

  • Consider strategies to protect assets while still qualifying for Medicaid

  • How does the Elder qualify for Medicaid?

  • What is Medicaid called in each state?

Long Term Care Insurance

  • Is the Elder too old to get long-term care insurance?

  • How do you use a a long-term care insurance policy and file claims?

  • Consider advice for filing a claim

  • Consider pros and cons of having long-term care Insurance

  • Is long-term care insurance worth it?

Life Insurance

  • Be aware of types of life insurance

  • Be aware of ways to sell the Elder's life insurance policy

  • Be aware that a viatical settlement is an arrangement in which someone who is terminally or chronically ill sells their life insurance policy

  • Are viatical settlements taxable?

  • Be aware that the Elder can sell their life insurance policy to a third party

  • Find a life insurance settlement agent

  • Be aware the Elder may be able to convert their life insurance policy to a long-term care benefit account

Joint Ownership

  • If there is a competent spouse, should they be named as a co-owner on all of the Elder's accounts?

  • Should a child, domestic partner, or other relative have a joint bank account with the Elder?

  • Consider advice about creating joint accounts with the Elder

  • What Is an authorized signer on a checking account?

  • Does the Elder have a domestic partner?

  • Consider you are responsible for paying debts for which you co-signed with the Elder after they pass

Financial Power of Attorney

  • Be aware of types of power of attorney

  • Be aware what is a "durable" power of attorney (POA)?

  • Be aware durable power of attorney expires upon death so it does not help with transferring assets after the Elder passes

  • How are assets distributed after the Elder passes?

  • Be aware of risks of being a financial power of attorney

  • Be aware of how to gain power of attorney

  • Do not confuse a financial POA with a medical POA

Living Trusts

  • Be aware of types of trusts

  • Consider setting up a living trust for the Elder

  • Be aware of the difference between an executor (of a will) and trustee (of a trust)

  • Be aware what to do with a living trust when the Elder passes

  • Be aware how a trust can help seniors qualify for Medicaid while preserving assets

  • Understand how to set up a trust

  • Do not confuse a living trust with a living will

Conservatorships

  • Be aware when a Conservatorship needs to be created

  • Be aware of the terms Conservatorship and Adult Guardianship

  • Be aware of Conservatorship information for the Elder's state of residence

  • What happens to a conservatorship (guardianship) after the Elder passes?

6.1

Manage Finances

6.2

Manage Finances

6.3

Manage Finances

6.4

Manage Finances

6.5

Manage Finances

6.6

Manage Finances

6.7

Manage Finances

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Manage Finances

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Manage Finances

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Manage Finances

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Manage Finances

6.12

Manage Finances

Topic: Plan End of Life

Elders Wishes

  • Make sure the Elder has final conversations with loved ones

  • Make sure the Elder resolves any outstanding conflicts and unfinished business

  • Document who should receive which possessions possibly not called out in the will

  • Think about what information should be told to whom

  • What should happen with pets?

  • What charities should mourners donate to?

  • What kind of funeral arrangements does the Elder want?  Specifically, is burial or cremation preferred?

  • Consider avoiding burial and cremation costs by donating the Elder's body to science

  • Does the Elder want to donate their organs?

  • Be aware of Catholic last rites

  • Consider making a memorial website

Notifying Friends and Family

  • Prepare a contact list based on "Contacts" with the "Notify Upon Significant Events" option checked

  • Decide the method of notification for each "Contact"

  • Determine who will notify each "Contact"

  • Write a notification paragraph for the email

  • Think about publishing a eulogy or death notice

  • Consider advise on writing an obituary

Will

  • What is a will and why is it needed?

  • Do not confuse a living will with a last will and testament

  • Do not confuse a living will with a living trust

  • Consider how to make a will

  • Does a will override an account beneficiary information?

  • What is probate (involving a court)

  • Which of assets are subject to probate?

  • Understand the relationship between a will and a trust

  • Consider setting up a testamentary trust

  • If the Elder has a Living Trust, consider having a pour over will

  • Find an estate planning lawyer

  • Consider making a will without a lawyer

  • Think about how to talk with the Elder about making a will

Closing Accounts

  • Use "Financial Items" to know which accounts need to be closed

  • Gather necessary documentation to close accounts

  • Be aware financial power of attorney is not valid after the Elder passes so it cannot be used to close accounts

  • Prepare a list of accounts to cancel

  • Be aware how to close a social security account

  • Decide to close or continue a living trust

  • Be aware how to acquire a death certificate

  • Notify the court if the Elder was a ward of a conservatorship

  • Redirect the Elder's mail

  • Tend to and close down the Elder's digital estate

Transferring Assets

  • Know how to transfer assets after the Elder passes

  • Verify the Elder's accounts have their desired beneficiaries listed

  • If there is a trust established for the Elder, that can be an account beneficiary

  • Understand the tax implications of selling the Elder's house

  • Consider how to sell the Elder's home

  • Understand inheritance tax implications

  • Appraise the value of household items

  • Consider hiring an estate sales agent

  • Find an estate sales agent

  • Consider donating household items to charity

  • Consider temporarily storing household items until they can be distributed

  • Consider transferring a car's title

  • Consider dividing assets and how to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings

  • Know how to claim a life insurance benefit

  • Have social security benefits pass to a surviving spouse

What to Do When an Elder Passes

  • Practical steps to take when the Elder passes

  • Consider nonprofits that helps people navigate the death process

  • Prepare to plan the funeral

  • What should be done if the Elder passes at home without hospice?

  • What should be done if the Elder passes with hospice or medical supervision?

  • What is the difference between a mortuary and a funeral home?

  • Consider questions to ask when choosing a mortuary

  • Find area mortuaries

  • Consider questions to ask when choosing a funeral home

  • Find area funeral homes

  • Prepare to adopt any pets

Burial

  • Consider how to manage funeral costs

  • Be aware of things a funeral director may not tell you

  • Have a funeral planning checklist

  • Think about buying a burial plot

  • Think about selling a funeral plot that is no longer needed because the Elder moves or is cremated

  • Know about shipping the Elder's body

  • Know about embalming

  • Know about how to buy a casket from a provider other than the funeral home

  • Know about how to buy a grave marker from a provider other than the funeral home

  • Consider what clothes should the elder be buried in

  • Consider buying a liner instead of a vault

  • Think about choosing pall bearers

  • Consider having a green burial

Cremation

  • Compare cremation vs. burial

  • Know how to choose a crematorium

  • Be aware which family members should retain the ashes

  • Know how to buy urns

  • Think about ways to spread the Elder's ashes

  • Be aware of aquatic cremation

Funeral

  • Consider types of services

  • Consider traditions and customs

  • Plan the funeral

  • Be aware of viewings and wakes

  • Consider flower arrangements

  • Consider displaying picture(s) of the Elder

  • Consider delivering a eulogy

  • Consider writing a funeral program

  • Choose the funeral officiant

  • Make arrangements for out of town guests

  • Consider how to pay for the funeral

  • Be aware of veteran's benefits and options

After the Funeral

  • Consider having a reception after the funeral

  • Consider how to discuss the Elder's death with your young children

  • Consider writing funeral acknowledgements

  • Prepare to clean out the Elder's residence and distribute personal effects

  • Consider spending time with relatives or friends who are in the most need

Cope With The Loss

  • Consider grief counseling for yourself or relatives

  • Be aware of anticipatory grief for the dying Elder

  • Consider advice on how to help the Elder's partner cope with the loss

  • Consider how the death of the Elder affects relatives

  • Consider coping with a sudden or traumatic death of the Elder

  • Be aware of grief counseling therapy techniques and interventions

  • Be aware of grief healing discussion group 1 of 3

  • Be aware of grief healing discussion group 2 of 3

  • Be aware of grief healing discussion group 3 of 3

  • Consider using on-line professional tools to work through the grieving  process

Memorialize The Elder

  • Consider ways to memorialize the Elder

  • Be aware how religions mourn the loss of an Elder differently

  • Consider having a star named for the Elder

  • Consider planting a memorial tree for the Elder

  • Consider memorializing the Elder with a web page

  • Consider having a relative name a baby after the Elder

  • Consider donating a gift to the Elder's religious institution that is meaningful

  • Consider creating a video legacy

7.1

Plan End of Life

7.2

Plan End of Life

7.3

Plan End of Life

7.4

Plan End of Life

7.5

Plan End of Life

7.6

Plan End of Life

7.7

Plan End of Life

7.8

Plan End of Life

7.9

Plan End of Life

7.10

Plan End of Life

7.11

Plan End of Life

7.12

Plan End of Life

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