As parents or grandparents age, family dynamics can change rapidly. Knowing when it is time for adult children to make decisions can be difficult, but even more so if not everyone is on the same page. One way to make sure everyone agrees with what is happening is to have a family reunion. However, if you’re not sure how to start this discussion, here are a couple of tips from attorneys specializing in senior law.
Do you need help from a senior law attorney?
Most of the time, families don’t need special help to start a conversation about what will happen when their parents or grandparents grow up. However, if your family members are losing their mental faculties or unable to have a rational conversation, you may need the help of an attorney to keep them safe. If you feel that your family member cannot make his or her own decisions regarding his or her well-being, it is a good idea to contact an attorney who specializes in senior law. He or she can guide you to the right choice, whether it is applying for a guardianship or finding the right place for your parents or grandparents to live.
When to start a conversation about the future?
It is better to discuss the future when everyone is rational and can make decisions with ease. In this way, your parents can play an active role in decision-making, whether it’s about estate planning or health care decisions. If you notice that your parents or grandparents are having a more difficult time or are easily confused, it’s a good idea to get everyone together and discuss your options for the future, including who will care for your aging family members. Be aware that these conversations can be stressful and difficult if family members cannot agree on what should take place.
How to make decisions about driving?
Some seniors have been driving for decades and consider their vehicles their way to freedom, which can make things difficult if they should no longer be behind the wheel. Many families struggle to get their keys removed and it can be difficult to know when to do it. If you are concerned about raising this issue with your family member, check your local laws to see if you can get help from the authorities. In Illinois, for example, drivers over the age of 75 must take a road test each time they renew their driver’s license. Also, the license must be renewed every two years between 81 and 86 and every year after someone turns 87. If your family member is under these ages, consider contacting an elder law attorney for guidance on how you can keep him, and others, safe on the roads.
If your loved ones are aging, it is important to plan ahead. The best thing to do is have open conversations about aging early and often. Knowing if you need help from a senior law attorney, having an open conversation to make sure everyone is on the same page, and knowing when it’s time to take the keys away can help keep your older parent or grandparent well cared for like him. or she gets old.