• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Today's Transitions

  • Home
  • Home
  • Find Help
    • Search Care Communities
    • Caregiver Solutions
    • Health Treatments
    • Search Home Caregiving
    • Search for Resources
    • All Caregiving
  • Beautiful Living
    • Travel and Daytrips
    • Health and Fitness
    • Delicious Food
    • Happenings Guide
    • Home and Books
    • Technology
    • Meaningful Work
      • Volunteering
    • Money and Finances
    • Positive Mental Thinking
    • People
  • Living Options
    • Search for Living Communities
    • Home Improvements
    • Low Maintenance Living
    • Downsizing
  • The Magazine
    • Read New Issue
    • Find Magazine
  • Connect
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
    • Manage Listing (Provider/Advertiser)
    • Advertising Options
    • Subscribe to Print Magazine
    • About Today’s Transitions
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home / Topics / Caregiver Solutions / 10 Questions To Ask Your Parents

10 Questions To Ask Your Parents

February 9, 2022 · Leave a Comment

It’s hard to think about our parents aging, but being prepared can ease the stress and make difficult decisions go more smoothly. Being able to make choices about the continued care of your parents while they still have the cognitive abilities to express their wishes is the first step. Use these 10 questions to start the discussion every adult child should have with his or her parents. They were compiled by expert advice from Corey Vallandingham, marketing director of Springhurst Pines, and Kelly Gannott, elder law attorney. You might want to think about these questions for yourself as well.

  1. Who do you want to handle things if you are unable to handle them yourself? 

“It’s important to know who your parents want to handle their finances or health care decisions if they are not able to anymore,” Gannott says. “It may be you, your sibling, or someone totally different. It’s important to designate this person before decisions need to be made. Also, always have a backup person just in case the first person that was designated is unable to make the decisions.” 

2. Do you have a power of attorney document in place? Can that power of attorney create a trust? 

“So many people wait too long to get a power of attorney document in place,” Gannott says. “If someone is in the nursing home and they apply for Medicaid, Medicaid may make them have a trust. A qualified income trust is set up for those whose income exceeds the eligibility criteria for receiving Medicaid. The income that exceeds eligibility will go into the trust and can be used for nursing home costs. If the power of attorney document doesn’t allow the power of attorney to create a trust, they may never get Medicaid.”

3. Do you have a trust? Are you interested in setting up a trust?

“There are many different types of trusts, one of which is a revocable living trust. This trust can keep your family from having to go to probate court,” Gannott says. “There is an irrevocable living trust, which cannot be changed and will protect your assets. Another trust is a special needs trust that allows beneficiaries with special needs to get an inheritance.”

4. What type of long-term care facility are you comfortable with, if needed?

“Many places are too fancy for some people, so it is important to know what makes them feel comfortable,” Vallandingham says. “It is also good to find out the differences between assisted living and personal care facilities. Assisted living doesn’t offer medical care, but personal care is licensed to offer medical care. If you choose personal care, find out if they have 24/7 medical care.”

5. Are you interested in visiting some assisted living facilities? 

“Visiting facilities now can help ease the process,” Gannott says. “So when the time comes and your parents are not able to make that decision, then you have already visited places and know which ones your parents preferred.”

6. At what point do you feel it would be time to move into an assisted living facility, nursing home, or retirement community? Would it be when it is hard to make meals? Do housework? No longer perform proper hygiene? 

“Everyone wants to stay at home, and that is the goal, but what is your parents’ idea of when it’s time to leave home?” Gannott says. “This is important to know so that when the time comes, you can remind your parents of what they said and see if they still agree with making the move.”

7. How much out-of-pocket do you want to spend for long-term care? Do you have long-term care insurance? 

“All assisted living and personal care facilities are private pay,” Vallandingham says. “Medicare and Medicaid only come into play when a nursing home is needed. Some facilities check finances and want you to have two years of private pay. Look over your long-term care insurance and call to see what their stipulations are.”

8. Are you making any gifts to charity? 

“So many people don’t think about giving gifts to charity,” Gannott says. “They think about wanting their family to benefit, and that’s great, but their church or the Girl Scouts might have played a large role in their lives, and they could leave a lasting legacy.” 

9. If you have a child pass before you, do you want the inheritance to go to your son or daughter’s spouse, children, or siblings? 

“Sometimes people assume if a child passes before the parents, their spouse will take the inheritance by default, but this isn’t true,” Gannott says. “The spouse getting the inheritance must be written in the will.”  

10. How would you like to see your continued care handled? 

“I know this is an all-encompassing question, but a lot of times we don’t want to have this conversation about the end of life or planning for the future,” Gannott says. “So, if we can think about it as being a continuation of the wishes of our parents, then it becomes an easier conversation to have.”

By Torie Temple

P.S. Have good nights with these tech options.

Filed Under: Caregiver Resources, Caregiver Solutions, Featured, Money and Finances

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search for Caring Communities

Search for Resources

Sponsored

Search

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • subscribe

todaystransitions

Today's Transitions
Would you know what to do if your loved one had to Would you know what to do if your loved one had to move in? Would you know what things to consider or which questions to ask? Tap the link in our bio to read part 2 about preparing for when a loved one moves in, and when it might not be a good idea to do it.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #CaregiverSolutions⁠
⁠
Do you know what your attachment style is? We all Do you know what your attachment style is? We all have one. These “imprints” didn’t start later in life, they started in infancy and lasted all the years we lived with our parents. These imprints form our beliefs and expectations about love and determine our attachment style—how we interact with others when it comes to love. Want to learn how you can make your style work for you? Read this month's Dating Today at the link in our bio.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #DatingToday #attachmentstyle⁠
#love #dating⁠
Looking for a home decor refresh? We visited three Looking for a home decor refresh? We visited three local places for inspiration, each offering something different, yet all bringing that pop you might be looking for this winter. Tap the link in bio to see where we went and what we found.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #homedecor #homerefresh⁠
⁠
⁠
Technology is not just for the younger generations Technology is not just for the younger generations. “Tech over the last several years has improved both the length of our lives, as well as the quality,” says Dr. Brett A. Oliver, chief medical information officer for Baptist Health. "There are entire companies pivoting their business approach to be a direct-to-consumer provider of technology to help people thrive and age on their own terms while assisting families and caregivers.” Tap the link in bio to see what the future of caregiving looks like, and how these tools and services are helping aging adults stay connected, manage health issues, and live at home for as long as possible. ⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #CaregiverSolutions #AgingInPlace #Technology⁠
⁠
Volunteering has been a way of life for 82-year-ol Volunteering has been a way of life for 82-year-old Jane Emke. A third-generation member of the National Council of Jewish Women, she has been active in the organization for 52 years, and has recently turned her skills to revitalizing the NCJW’s @nearlynewshoplou. Tap the link in bio to read her inspirational story in our winter issue. ⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #Volunteer #WinterIssue⁠
⁠
When mild days hit during winter, getting outside When mild days hit during winter, getting outside for a walk or hike is a great way to get some fresh air and expand your world. Follow the link in bio to get some tips from Curtis Carman, director of education at The Parklands of Floyds Fork, before you set out on a winter hike.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #FreeTime #Hiking #winterhike⁠
Winter is often the time when we think about comfo Winter is often the time when we think about comfort. When it is cold outside, we just want to stay in, snuggle up, and do those things that make us feel cozy. We say so long to salads and hello to soups. We drape ourselves in soft flannel and fleece. All of us seek comfort at one time or another, for different reasons and for different lengths of time. While being comfortable feels good, we can sometimes develop habits of seeking comfort in unhealthy ways. How do you know when the comfort you seek is becoming a problem? Tap the link in bio to read more about finding your healthy comfort zone.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #winterissue #healthycomfort #comfortzone⁠
⁠
Ever wondered what it would be like to let go of h Ever wondered what it would be like to let go of hair color? In our Lighter Locks series, we talked with women who have made that decision, and are now living life without hair color. Tap the link in bio to read about Cathy Bauer and her transition away from hair color. ⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #LighterLocks #winterissue #goinggray
A warm cup of coffee and the Louisville Orchestra? A warm cup of coffee and the Louisville Orchestra? Yes, please. The LO Coffee Series is being offered once a month, with this month's performance this Friday, January 13 at 11am. Tap the link in bio for more information.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #WinterIssue #TryThis! #DoThis!
We've got some fitness inspiration for you this Ne We've got some fitness inspiration for you this New Year! We asked Karen Dunn, featured in Today's Transitions latest issue, all about her fitness journey and what is the best thing she gains from being fit. Follow the link in bio to read her interview.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #FitnessInspiration #winterissue #BeingFit
Flavonoids are antioxidants that can help reduce t Flavonoids are antioxidants that can help reduce the aging and disease process caused by the metabolism of food, and we've got a delicious recipe that combines the comfort of pancakes with the power of flavonoids. Tap the link in our bio to get the recipe.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #winterissue #TryThis! #MakeThis #flavonoids⁠
Would you know what to do if your loved one had to Would you know what to do if your loved one had to move in? Would you know what things to consider or which questions to ask? Tap the link in our bio to read more about preparing for when a loved one moves in, and when it might not be a good idea to do it.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #CaregiverSolutions #SharingAHome
Looking for something to do this New Year's Eve? O Looking for something to do this New Year's Eve? Our January Happenings Guide will heat up your New Year, and beyond. Tap the link in our bio to check out the guide.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #JanuaryHappenings #HappyNewYear
This winter is all about comfort, and we've got a This winter is all about comfort, and we've got a rustic apple pie recipe that will warm up your kitchen, as well as your spirit. Tap the link in bio to get the recipe, and to see more great recipes that are perfect for these short winter days. ⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #WrappedInCrust #applepie #buttercrust
Throughout our school days, we learn about the imp Throughout our school days, we learn about the importance of setting goals and taking the necessary steps to achieve those goals. But then, somewhere along the line as adults, life happens and our goals often take a backseat to fussy babies, the 9-5 workday, and home repairs. Once things quiet down a bit, we may realize that the goals we had before don’t match our current situation; we are no longer the people we were mentally, emotionally, or physically. When we do take the time to reassess, we need to be flexible and modify goals because of the changes we’ve undergone over the years. Tap the link in bio to get inspired by others who are taking charge of their goals as they age.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Motivation #GoalSetting⁠
⁠
⁠
Need some last minute gift ideas for that not-so-y Need some last minute gift ideas for that not-so-young person on your gift list? From good health to family time, tap the link in bio for some gift ideas they will love!⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #giftguide
Connection is an important part of life; however, Connection is an important part of life; however, as we age that connection can be harder to find. Family and friends may be spread out across miles, or we may not be as active as we once were. Fortunately, technology offers many ways to enjoy the benefits that connection can provide. Tap the link in bio to read more about what's new in comfort technology.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #Technology #winterissue⁠
⁠
Just in time for the holidays, Bishop Bob Mueller Just in time for the holidays, Bishop Bob Mueller discusses what it means to be of good cheer. Tap the link in bio to read his inspiring words.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #goodcheer #mentalhealth
Looking for unique gift ideas? We found a store th Looking for unique gift ideas? We found a store that has plenty of local flavor and accessories that pop. Tap the link in bio to see where we shopped and what we found.⁠
⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #Comfort #winterissue #homedecor #uniquegifts⁠
⁠
The perfect dish to share on holiday mornings! Thi The perfect dish to share on holiday mornings! This Mediterranean Breakfast Bake is filled with veggies, tasty flavor, and fluffy biscuits. Easy to make ahead of time and reheat in the morning for your family to share. Tap the link in bio to get the recipe.⁠
⁠
📸 &👩‍🍳: @forkintastyblog⁠
#LiveYourBestTODAY #TodaysTaste #holidays #breakfastbake
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Spend An Enlightening Afternoon On The Ohio
  • Plan A Dream European Vacation To Greece
  • Get Outside Your Bubble: Online Meeting Apps To Try
  • Avoid Three Common Financial Mistakes
  • Keep Enjoying Life With Tech

Manage Listings · My Account · Caregiving Listing Help
Privacy Policy · Terms of Service
© 2023 · Today's Media· Built by Breakaway Analytics