The Eldercare Locator, a nationwide service funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging that links older consumers and their families to local aging services, produced  "Home for the Holidays, Face the Facts: Topics to Discuss With Your Aging Parents", a guide to help families "face the facts" about these important topics.  The following information addresses key areas of concern, suggested questions to ask, and ways in which families might initiate conversations about these often difficult to discuss topics with their aging parents and relatives.

Key Considerations
1. Find out what financial benefits are provided by your parents' Social Security and pension.  Determine if they are eligible for other financial programs.

2. Be certain each family member has a living will. Know where all your loved ones' insurance policies, wills, trust documents, tax returns, investment and banking records are located.

3. Understand that Medicare generally does not cover long term care (e.g. nursing home or extended home care), and Medicaid pays only for low-income individuals.

4. Investigate what type of long term care insurance coverage may be best for your loved one or for yourself!  Generally, premiums are lower when policies are purchased at younger ages.

5. Identify what community services are available that can help your loved one maintain independence in the home for as long as possible - such as home modification programs that can install assistive devices (i.e., bathroom rails and entry ramps), and home health and chore assistance.  Learn whether housing options are available to meet their changing needs.  In Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties contact the Area Agency on Aging 1-B at 1-800-852-7795 to obtain this information.

Conversation Checklist
Families may avoid potential problems and be in a good position to deal with later life needs by understanding and being prepared to face the following issues:

Financial Organization
There are many financial resources that your loved one might already be receiving or be eligible for.  Social Security is the federal program that provides retirees a regular income based on work history, and benefits to disabled workers.  Long-time workers usually have pensions that are retirement compensation plans either fully managed by their employer, or involve employee contributions, such as Tax-Deferred Annuities (TDAs) or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).  Some people have "lost" a pension they earned, while others forget about retirement accounts set up many years prior.  Low income and disabled individuals age 65 or older could also be eligible for monthly cash benefits through Supplemental Security income (SSI).    

Ask...

• What type of retirement income do you receive?
• Are pension savings from all jobs over the years being collected?
• Is there a need to apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits?
• Who can access your important financial information in case of emergency?
• Where do you keep these important documents?

Legal Preparation
Wills and power of attorney may not be topics your relatives want to discuss.  However, these issues need to be addressed before it's too late to make sure that their assets are properly taken care of and that their medical treatment preferences are known.  A will directs how a person wants property to be distributed after death and appoints a trusted person to be the executor; and a durable power of attorney provides written authorization for a person you name to act on your behalf for whatever financial or health care purpose you spell out.  An advance directive is a legal document that provides directions for your health care if you are unable to speak for yourself. 

Ask...

• Do you have a will?
• Have you executed a durable power of attorney or considered who you might want to handle your finances or health care decisions in the event that you are unable to do so?
• Are important legal documents up to date?
• Where are these important documents kept?
• What other legal matters are you concerned about?

Health Insurance
Health care is a high-cost necessity, so it is crucial to know what is available to meet your family member's needs, and what they are eligible to receive.  Most adults over age 65 are covered by Medicare, the federal health insurance program that helps pay medical expenses for older Americans and younger people with disabilities.  But Medicare does not cover all needs, and Supplemental Insurance (also called Medigap insurance) might be necessary to cover additional health costs. Medicaid, on the other hand, is the federal and state insurance program that helps pay the health care costs of low-income individuals of any age.  Long term care insurance is available through the private market to assist individuals to cover the cost of long term care services such as home health and nursing home care.  These policies are often expensive, however, premiums are usually lower if the policies are purchased at a younger age.  Having a long term care insurance policy ensures that your loved one can make their own choices about what long term care services they receive and where they receive them.

Ask...

• As your health status changes, are you prepared to meet your long term health care needs?
• Do you have proper health insurance coverage (not too much or too little)?
• Are you comfortably able to pay for prescription drugs and other out-of-pocket health care costs?
• Who are your doctors and how can they be contacted?
• Where do you keep your insurance card, Medicare information, and other important health care documents?

Community Services
One of the most useful forms of help that adult children can provide for their parents is information about community resources that are available to enhance their independence.  Services like home modification are available to help reduce the risk of accidents and make daily household activities more comfortable to perform.  Emergency Response Systems not only summon emergency help quickly, but can also increase the feeling of security within the home.  Transportation services may be available to assist older adults who need help getting to appointments with their doctor.  There are many community resources to help older  persons by providing information or a needed service.  Find out about these and other services available through your state, local area agencies on aging, and services providers by contacting the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116, www.eldercare.gov or contact the Area Agency on Aging 1-B, serving Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties, directly at 1-800-852-7795 or www.aaa1b.com.
SIDEBAR ARTICLE

Conversation Approaches

• Prepare yourself to be open, honest and not argumentative.
• Be ready to listen and hear what is being said to you.
• Have some knowledge about the topic you are talking about.

Direct
If the care recipient is a 'no-nonsense, get-to-the-point' personality, openly express your concerns and ask questions to secure the information you need to address specific situations that might arise.

Educational
For the relative who might need a delicate push, you might begin by sharing an experience of another caregiver you know about and their personal situation, and explain how it made you realize the importance of discussing issues now that will help you be of better assistance to them in the future.

Expert
For the relative who refuses to talk about personal issues or tends to accuse their children of trying to take control of their life, seek to make them the expert by asking for their advice about a particular issue - for example, "what type of long term care plan should I look into," or "can you recommend someone to help me prepare my will?"  this strategy is non-threatening and could lead to them sharing personal detail, or at least letting you know where they stand on the subject.