Caring for your elderly mother can be a physically, mentally, and emotionally draining job. Your mother took care of you when you were growing up and you likely always saw her as a source of aid and strength. When the roles are reversed, it can become very difficult to see your mother in this new light.
Still, if you’ve decided to care for your aging parent, it’s crucial that you ask them the tough but important questions. So keep on reading and we’ll walk you through everything you’re going to want to know.
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What Is Your Health Insurance Coverage?
Many adults who are over the age of 65 are eligible for and covered by Medicare. However, not all medical costs are covered by Medicare. Your elderly mother should also have supplemental insurance.
It can be difficult to find the right plan. So taking care of this sooner rather than later is definitely a smart move.
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What Health Problems Are You Most Worried About for the Future?
Your mother likely won’t want to appear weak in front of you. But if you’re going to be taking care of her, you’ll need to know what her current medical condition is. You’ll also need to know if she has any chronic conditions or diseases that are going to require her to have continuous treatment.
Get a list of medications and the contact information for your parent’s doctor. Talk about what kind of long-term care your parent would need if problems progressed. This can include moving to a retirement villages brisbane center or assisted living community or bringing a caregiver into the home.
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Where Would You Want to Live if You Weren’t Able to Stay at Home Any Longer
Is your mother comfortable with the idea of living in a nursing home? Or would she prefer to stay at home or go to an assisted living community? More than one million Americans live in nursing homes.
When considering moving to an assisted living community, one of the most important questions to ask is what amenities your parent wants. She’s likely going to have a lot of free time, so she should make sure that she’ll be able to use her time wisely.
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What Are Your End-of-Life Wishes?
Many people are uncomfortable talking about their own mortality. Still, you need to know if your mother wants to prolong her life with a feeding tube or ventilator should those tools be necessary. If your parent chooses a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order, that’s something you need to communicate to EMTs and doctors.
Make Sure to Ask Tough but Important Questions About Caring for Your Elderly Mother
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you have a better understanding of what questions you need to ask your elderly mother. These aren’t easy questions but they’re absolutely necessary to know for you to better care for your mother.
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