Effective Family Care Plans and Elder Care Conversations with Carroll Golden

As people worldwide continue to get a bit older daily, it's becoming ever more important to have a solid care plan. But don't worry, effective care planning isn't just about the medical stuff - it's also about making sure we're ready for the emotional and financial aspects of this new stage of life. The goal is to ensure our loved ones receive the care they need in a way that respects their dignity. It’s about getting the rest of the family ready for the new roles and challenges of providing care.

 

Carroll Golden is a Best-Selling Author and Speaker who guides businesses towards care-based growth. As an expert in multigenerational care planning and long-term care options, she discusses the critical need for early and thorough care planning. In this episode, Carroll and Anna talk about family dynamics, the importance of end-of-life planning, involving all family members in caregiving, and assessing care costs and options.

 

Quotes:

• "I know it's a taboo topic. Your grandparents don't want to talk about it, you don't want to talk about it, and your kids have no idea what the impact would be if they didn't talk about it." – Carroll Golden
• "Options begin to close out on you. When you haven't done anything, that's when you go into crisis mode." – Carroll Golden
• "We could all learn together. That's the whole idea behind the care planning team." – Carroll Golden
• "We retire from work, but we don't retire from family." – Carroll Golden
  
  

Takeaways:

• Begin conversations about aging and care planning early to avoid rushed decisions under pressure and to have more choices.
• Engage the entire family in the planning process. Utilize tools like a "care squad" and conduct regular "care planning team" meetings to ensure everyone's voice is heard and they feel involved.
• Leverage technology, like video calls, to facilitate family meetings and planning when family members are geographically dispersed.
• Reframing discussions around retirement planning and longevity instead of immediate care needs to create a more positive conversation.
• Collect essential medical and financial information from aging parents respectfully, without making them feel invaded or managed.
• Incorporate considerations of various care options and their costs into the planning process using relevant tools.

 

Conclusion:

As we navigate the journey of an aging population, it's so important that we prepare for both the changes that are bound to happen and the potential hurdles along the way. Make sure your medical resources are strong and our emotional support is overflowing, and don’t forget about having a financial plan to back these needs up. After all, it’s all about giving our cherished elderly the best care, dignity, and quality of life possible. And in doing so, we're also prepping ourselves for the beautiful, challenging journey of caregiving.

 

Resources:

Annalee’s LinkedIn

Episode Website

Learn more about The Elder Planning Specialist designation and certification program at Plan For Life Now

 

Guest Links:

Carroll's LinkedIn

Carroll's Website