By not planning for the future we guarantee that we will leave our children with a tremendous burden. Just about the time they are preparing for their own retirement and their children's college education, adult children often are overwhelmed with decision-making for their aging parents.
As a long term care administrator I heard it daily, "I don't want to be a burden to my children." But unintentionally most of us make it even harder for our children by not clearly defining our wishes or preferences. We can help them out by asserting control over our future health care, residential choices, and even how we will die. There are specific and discrete steps we can take to shape our own destiny. Many of these tasks only take a few moments of your time, some take a little research and others may require professional assistance. None of them are extremely costly or difficult.
So why don't more of us do this type of planning? Seniors are concerned about losing control of their life and being a burden to their grown children but many just don't know what to do. For instance, the majority of people want to die at home, but very few do. Become familiar with your options and make your preferences known while thinking clearly, while free from pain and prior to an emergency or crisis.
The loss of a parent is difficult enough for an adult child. We can save them additional grief by doing the following,
You can avoid becoming a burden to your children by taking control of your end of life with as much care, intent and forethought as you have lived the rest of your life.
About The Author
Linda LaPointe, MRA is an ElderLife Matters coach and author of several products to assist families experiencing aging including the pamphlet, Don't Be a Burden: 100 Tips. Get free articles and information at www.sospueblo.com.
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one... Read More
Many families do not want to believe their child is... Read More
"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More
Have you ever watched your teenager make a mistake (that... Read More
I don't know how people raise daughters because I have... Read More
Some years ago when touring the Scottish Highlands, a man... Read More
You may think once your child has gone off to... Read More
On one of her quarterly visits to see her grandson,... Read More
O.K. So now you have taken the step of having... Read More
So you have just returned home from your third meeting... Read More
"Family Matters" was the headline that caught my attention in... Read More
Is Homework Really That Important?Dear Friends,I no longer teach in... Read More
No matter what you say or do, your kids will... Read More
Family decision-making is an intriguing phenomenon. Many factors become part... Read More
When choosing the perfect jogging stroller, a very important question... Read More
Now I know that is not how the song goes,... Read More
Children are moral and make moral determinations... at least until... Read More
Along with eating healthier we need to be more active.... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Any parent whose baby has suffered from colic can tell... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
As a parent you will be asked to assist with... Read More
Dads, please let me encourage you to change some things... Read More
As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More
Imagine yourself lying flat on your back, totally strapped down... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..Successful families don't just happen. They take time, talent and... Read More
Here is something that you might want to keep if... Read More
An apology is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sometimes... Read More
Julia Roberts recently gave birth to twins: Hazel and Phinnaeus.... Read More
What a dreamer I am when thinking about parenthood. Most... Read More
There are so many learning labels floating around these days... Read More
You know that children can get into trouble. The older... Read More
The main thing we noticed since having a baby is... Read More
I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More
Assuming there are no serious motor problems present, what can... Read More
When your child shows signs of potty training readiness, it's... Read More
Dining in a restaurant with kids can be very enervating... Read More
Teri was 5. As younger siblings do, she looked up... Read More
1. They are leaders as well as parents. They don't... Read More
For any parent, learning that a convicted sex offender lives... Read More
Strattera came out around January of 2003, and is becoming... Read More
When you're a parent it's a difficult decision to know... Read More
An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More
MYTH: All teens have to rebel, and the teen years... Read More
Every children in the world whishes to have toys and... Read More
Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More
Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More
Home-schooling removes children from public school. That alone makes home-schooling... Read More
Lead is one of the most dangerous toxins a person... Read More
There are many parenting styles. Yours may be very different... Read More
Parenting |