Don't Wait for the ER to Get Your Plans in Order

Overindulgence, flu, unexpected falls, and heart risks can turn festive gatherings into unexpected ER trips. In this issue, we share essential tips on preparing for and navigating ER visits, so you can keep your holidays joyful and safe.

Plan Ahead for Peace of Mind: The Power of Proactive Elderly Care

When it comes to caring for aging loved ones, some families find themselves prepared for the journey, while others navigate challenges as they come. Taking a proactive approach to elder care can create smoother transitions and help ensure that our loved ones’ wishes are respected.

A Tale of Two Approaches

Every family’s path in caring for elderly parents is unique, and there’s no “right” or “wrong” approach. Here are the experiences of two families with different levels of preparation, each providing insights into the importance of planning.

The Benefits of Early Planning

Early on, one couple made sure to set up essential documents like a living will, a medical power of attorney (POA), and a financial POA. These preparations provided clarity around their wishes and designated decision-makers for medical and financial matters. But even with these safeguards, unexpected health events—like falls leading to hospitalizations—caught the family off guard. Looking back, gradually easing into care could have made a difference. Having a caregiver visit even once a week might have provided extra support during transitions and allowed the family to adjust naturally to higher levels of care as their needs grew, rather than responding in moments of crisis.

Navigating Challenges as They Came

In contrast with another family, preparations for elderly care hadn’t been made early on, leaving some critical details to be handled in the final stages. When the mother entered hospice care, she found herself needing to share key financial information, account details, and passwords with family members—tasks that added stress during a deeply emotional time. She explained how to manage their bills, shared access information, and tried to ensure that her husband would be able to take over financial responsibilities, with which he had little prior experience. Without an advance healthcare directive in place, the family also had to make healthcare decisions under pressure, all while dealing with the emotional weight of her rapidly declining health. This experience underscored the emotional toll that a lack of early planning can have on everyone involved, especially during moments that might otherwise be spent focusing on comfort and connection.

How Proactive Care Can Support Your Loved Ones’ Journey

Proactive elder care doesn’t prevent every challenge, but it does help create a stable foundation and reduce stress during transitions. Early steps and consistent support allow families to focus on quality time and make decisions with greater ease and confidence. Here are key steps to consider as part of a proactive care plan:

Steps to Proactive Elder Care

Create Essential Legal Documents

• Living Will: Outlines preferences for medical treatments and end-of-life care.
• Medical Power of Attorney (POA): Appoints someone to make healthcare decisions if your loved one is unable to do so.
• Financial Power of Attorney (POA): Designates a trusted person to manage financial affairs.

Organize Financial and Legal Information

• Compile lists of accounts, bills, and passwords to securely share with trusted family members, including essential contacts for accounts with two-step authentication to ensure access to critical information when needed.

Establish Regular Check-Ins

• Consider starting with light assistance, like a caregiver visiting once a week, to create familiarity and build trust, supporting well-being over time.

Create Health and Wellness Plans

• Discuss and document preferences for healthcare providers, medications, and lifestyle choices. Encouraging regular exercise, nutrition, and social activities can support overall well-being.

Prepare for Emergencies

• Have a list of emergency contacts and make home modifications to improve safety and accessibility.

Encourage Social Engagement

• Connecting with community programs, support groups, and activities can provide valuable support and maintain mental engagement.

Regularly Review and Update Plans

• Aging is dynamic, and plans may need adjusting. Keep everyone informed about changes in health, preferences, or legal details to ensure everyone remains aligned.

Embrace the Power of Proactive Care

Proactive planning gives you and your loved ones the opportunity to face the future with clarity and confidence. Whether it’s setting up essential documents or establishing a regular care-giving routine, these steps can make all the difference in ensuring wishes are honored and transitions happen with less stress and greater peace of mind.

What to Expect at an ER Visit for Your Elderly Loved One

An ER visit can be challenging, especially with an elderly loved one. Here’s how to prepare for a smoother experience.

• Initial Assessment and Waiting: Upon arrival, your loved one will undergo a triage assessment to determine the urgency of their condition. Be prepared for a potentially long wait, as patients are seen based on medical priority.
• Essential Documents (Digital or Paper): Bring identification, insurance information, a list of medications and allergies, and important documents like the healthcare proxy and advanced directives. These documents can be securely stored online using tools like Alula, or you can bring physical copies. Having them easily accessible can speed up care decisions and ensure your loved one’s wishes are respected.
• Timely Medication Management: If your loved one has time-sensitive medication needs for conditions such as Parkinson’s or diabetes, notify the ER staff as soon as possible. Personal medications from home cannot be used in the ER, so advance notice allows the team to prepare and administer necessary medications on time.
• Snacks, Water, and Medications for Yourself and Family Members: ER visits can be unpredictable, so it’s helpful to bring water, snacks, and any regular medications you or family members may need while waiting. However, remember that your loved one, as the patient, must wait for doctor approval before eating or drinking, as this could interfere with tests or treatments.
• Adding a Personal Touch: Sharing a unique detail about your loved one, like a favorite hobby or life story, can help staff connect with them as an individual, bringing a sense of comfort and familiarity to the experience.
• Post-Visit Follow-Up: Take notes on any new medications or follow-up instructions to ensure a smooth transition home. This also helps keep other family members or caregivers informed and coordinated.

By having essential documents ready, advocating for timely medication, and staying prepared for a potentially lengthy visit, you’ll be ready to support your loved one effectively while making the ER experience less stressful for everyone involved.