If you have senior family members, they might require assistance with daily living or planning for the future. While there are many ways to offer support, here are three suggestions for your consideration, from consulting a Medicaid expert to spending quality time together.
1. Consult a Medicaid Expert
Enrolling in Medicaid is a rite of passage for many seniors. If you and your loved one have no idea where and how to begin, think about talking with a Medicaid planner & consultant. Many certified planners offer skilled nursing home patients and their families a free consultation that lets them ask questions and better understand their federal retirement benefits.
2. Take On Routine Tasks
Perhaps your mother is dealing with arthritis in her hands that makes grocery shopping more challenging, or your father has recently given up driving. If scenarios such as these sound familiar and you live nearby your family member, offer to take on some of the shopping or driving tasks or attend appointments with them. If you don’t live nearby, consider setting up a personal shopping or driving service that caters to their needs and allows them to thrive.
3. Spend Quality Time Together
One of the greatest gifts you can give senior family members is to spend quality time together. Whether you make regular phone or video dates, home visits, or schedule special meals or events, setting aside time to enjoy each other’s company is invaluable to the entire family’s health. Experts recommend doing or talking about activities of particular interest to your loved one.
For more ideas on assisting senior family members, consult local, state and federal resources for seniors. You can also conduct an online search for “senior support services near me.” You’ll find a trove of resources, programs and ideas for assisting your loved one.