The six steps to settling an estate in Nebraska

The six steps to settling an estate in Nebraska

The six steps to settling an estate in Nebraska

The six steps to settling an estate in NebraskaSettling an estate of a deceased loved one is a timely process that takes several months — or sometimes years — to complete, depending on the circumstances. Even so, it’s a necessary headache that must be dealt with. To help simplify things, we’ve put together the following steps to make this complicated process a little easier for you.

Nebraska estate law administers inheritance tax through county courts rather than at the state level. The tax rate is not fixed, rather it’s basically a certain percentage of the market value of the assets subject to taxation decided based on the relation of the inheritor(s) to the deceased.

Like we mention above, settling an estate is a time consuming and complicated (no matter what state you’re in), so seek out the help of an estate lawyer to further guide you through the process.

Step 1: Make an inventory of documents and assets

Before meeting with an attorney or anything else for that matter, make a comprehensive catalogue of the decedent’s documents and assets, including (if applicable):

  • Last Will and Testament
  • Burial/memorial instructions
  • Revocable Living Trust
  • Life insurance policies
  • Bank statements
  • Brokerage statements
  • Stock and bond certificates
  • Corporate records
  • Car/boat titles
  • Deeds
  • Last three years of decedent’s income tax returns

Step 2: Open a probate estate

This requires meeting with an estate lawyer to officially open a probate estate with the local probate court. (Probate is the legal process that administers a decedent’s estate.)

Step 3: Establish value of assets

Establish the values of all the decedent’s assets as of the date of death. This can get messy, so make sure all of the following is taken care of:

  • Contact all financial institutions that house decedent’s assets and obtain date of death values.
  • Have a professional appraise all assets, including real state, jewelry, artwork, collectibles, businesses, etc.
  • If the estate is eligible for federal taxes and/or state taxes, then values for non-probate assets will need to be established as well.

Step 4: Pay final bills and other expenses

After comprehensive estate values have been established, the decedent’s final bills need to be paid. To do this, the personal representative should:
  • Establish what legitimate bills were owed at the time of death and pay them.
  • Pay for any ongoing expenses of administering the estate, such as legal fees, accounting fees, mortgage payments, utilities, etc (these usually come out of the estate).

Step 5: Pay income and estate taxes

Once the final bills are taken care of, the personal representative should focus on paying necessary income and estate taxes. An estate lawyer can take you through this process to make sure the following is properly prepared and filed:

  • Final federal and Nebraska income tax returns
  • Final federal and Nebraska estate income tax returns
  • Final Nebraska estate income tax returns if‚ estate earns income during course of settlement
  • Final federal and Nebraska inheritance tax returns

Step 6: Distribute the balance to estate beneficiaries

Once all bills and taxes are paid and the remaining assets are assigned a value, the county probate court will review everything and legally administer the distribution of assets properly as deemed in the Last Will.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/“

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Senior Care: Recognizing signs of diabetes

Senior Care: Recognizing signs of diabetes

One-out-of-five Americans over the age of 65 suffers from some form of diabetes. While the affects of diabetes can be effectively managed, it becomes increasingly difficult to administer the proper care as someone ages. This is not only due to the natural slowing down of a person in their golden years, but also the increased risk of other complications arising, such as the onset of dementia and other cognitive and physical conditions.

As a family caregiver, keeping up to speed with all the daily treatments an elderly loved one with diabetes requires can be an overwhelming task. Many people in this situation turn to the services of an elder care provider, such Physicians Choice Private Duty. If you require services in Omaha and surrounding areas, contact us today.

Signs of and symptoms of diabetes

Whether it’s Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the signs are similar, namely too much glucose in the blood and not enough glucose in body cells. This is due to a lack of insulin producing cells, which have either been destroyed (Type 1) or the body’s cells are resistant to the production of insulin (Type 2).

Common signs of diabetes include:

  • Tingling/numbness in hands and/or feet
  • Frequent trips to the bathroom
  • Excessive thirst
  • Unusual loss of weight
  • Weakness/fatigue
  • Vision problems
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dry/itchy skin
  • Cuts, infections and/or bruises that take long to heal

Related: Which Is Worse: Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes? (via DiabetesDaily.com)

If your elderly loved one is exhibiting one or more of the above symptoms, call your doctor and schedule an appointment. More serious symptoms, like heavy breathing paired with a sweet smelling breath, requires immediate medial treatment as it could be a potentially deadly situation.

Related: Diabetic Attack Warning Signs (via LiveStrong.com)

With the proper diligence to ensure proper treatment and care, diabetes is a manageable condition for elderly patients. That’s why, as a caregiver, it’s so important to be familiar with and be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of diabetes, as well as be know what to do in the case of a diabetic episode.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com.”

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Senior Care: How to detect elder abuse

Senior Care: How to detect elder abuse

Statistics show that, with an increasing population of elderly as a result of the Baby Boom generation, elder abuse is more prevalent than ever. One study recognized that for every case of elder abuse reported to agencies nearly 25 go unreported.

While you may suspect that a relative is abusing your elderly love one is some way, it’s also important to watch out for elder abuse that comes from care facilities.

Elder abuse can come in several forms: physical, emotional and financial and neglect.

Photo by Ron Anson via Flickr

Signs of physical abuse

  • Bruises, black eyes
  • Marks on body like welts, cuts and open wounds
  • Sprains, dislocations (like a shoulder) or broken bones
  • Injuries that are healing but were never treated
  • Rope marks or burns on hands and feet (could mean an elder has been tied up or restrained)
  • Broken eyeglasses or frames
  • Sudden change in behavior
  • Not wanting to be alone with caregiver
  • Caregiver not letting anyone visit the elder alone
  • Running out of prescription medicine too quickly or having prescription medicine that looks like it is not being taken like it should be (bottle too full)
  • The elder tells you he or she is being physically hurt

Signs of emotional abuse

  • Being in an upset or agitated state
  • Becoming withdrawn and not wanting to talk or interact with anyone
  • Unusual behavior like rocking, biting or sucking (usually thought to be symptoms of dementia)
  • The elder person tells you he or she is being mistreated

Signs of neglect

  • Poor hygiene, dehydration, malnutrition, bed sores that aren’t being treated (if bedridden)
  • Health problems that aren’t being treated
  • Unsafe living conditions (no heat, electricity or water, faulty wiring)
  • Poor living conditions (dirt, fleas, soiled bedding, clothes and bedding smelling like urine/feces, improper clothing, lice on the elder)
  • The elder person tells you he or she is being neglected

Financial abuse

  • The disappearance of valuable objects.
  • Withdrawals of large amounts of money, checks made out to cash, or low bank balances.
  • A new “best friend” and isolation from other friends and family.
  • Large credit card transactions.
  • Signatures on checks look different.
  • A name added to a bank account or joint accounts that are newly formed.
  • Indications of fear of caregivers.

Preventing elder abuse

Older adults can take these steps to prevent abuse:

  • Be socially active and avoid spending too much time alone. Being cut off from other people can put you at a higher risk of abuse. Keep in touch with family and friends.
  • If you are not happy with the care you are getting in your home, speak up. You have a right to change. This applies to all caregivers — even family.
  • If you live in a long-term care facility and are not happy with your care, speak up. If you do not have family members who can help, contact your state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The ombudsman’s purpose is to be your advocate and to help you.
  • Plan for your own financial future with a trusted person or persons. Make sure that your finances are in order. It’s also important to tell family, caregivers, and doctors your health care wishes. For more information on financial and other future planning, see Planning your future.

Seeking help For elder abuse

If you suspect that your elderly loved one is a victim of elder abuse there are ways to help. The National Center on Elder Abuse offers many resources, including a help hotline. Locally in Nebraska there are a wealth helpful resources for protecting the elderly as well.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/“

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Senior Care: Keeping an elderly parent with dementia active

Senior Care: Keeping an elderly parent with dementia active

paying for parents to stay at homeIt’s important to keep an elderly parent with dementia active to benefit their overall health and well-being. This being the case, it’s the duty of the caregivers to put in the effort to find activities that are stimulating. Perhaps the biggest challenge is finding things to do that are fun for both you and your parent with dementia.

AgingCare.com shares some general guidelines on how to best approach this:

Creating meaningful activities

  • Design activities that safely involve your parent’s interests. For example, if they enjoy games, have a regular game night. The severity of the dementia can make the difficultly and length of these activities vary.
  • If your parent lacks the physical or cognitive capability, make the necessary adjustments to allow them to participate in their favorite activities. Maybe taking them out to bingo is no longer an option, but playing bingo or other games in the home is.
  • Make activities meaningful is important — this contributes to your parent’s overall health, even if they don’t necessarily remember every moment of the experience.

Keeping up with old routines

  • People are creatures of habit — and routines are important for people with dementia as it gives them a sense of purpose. Activities that make your parent feel needed and useful can add greatly to their overall happiness. Allowing them to keep up with old routines like cooking and cleaning — even to a small degree — helps them hold on to their sense of independence.

Exercise

  • Taking your parent with dementia on daily walks or other forms of light activity, as AgingCare.com states, can reduce agitation and wandering, which can be triggered by lack of exercise.

Social interaction

  • Just the same as people are creatures of habit, so to are they pack animals. This is why social interaction fills a basic need within us all. Sadly, dementia leads far too many people to lives of isolation. Involving your parent in everyday tasks, like going to the store, will be something they enjoy and appreciate time and again.

Physicians Choice Private Duty can help

Physicians Choice Private Duty — currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the options available for those with dementia and related conditions like Alzheimer’s.

All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts.

Contact us today with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/.“

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Elderly care: Planning ahead for longterm care

Elderly care: Planning ahead for longterm care

home-care-service-aged-care-family-health-careEven if your parents are still in good health in their latter years, it’s still wise to plan for their future longterm care needs. By planning now, you, your siblings and your parents will know exactly what to do and what is expected of each person individually when health complications do arise.

When to plan

Occasions when all or most of the family gathers is a prime time to start planning for your parents’ longterm care. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday or summer vacation, the more family involved in the process from the beginning, the less complicated things will be when care needs become greater.

How to plan

When everyone is in one place, assign roles. This is especially important for siblings or other family that live far away from the parents. Family who live close by with regular contact will be able to better recognize sudden and subtle changes in the health of elderly loved ones and can keep the entire family updated on day-to-day happenings.

Assigning roles also helps avoid potential conflicts between siblings and other family members. For example, instead of becoming embittered by possible inheritance sibling rivalry, one sibling can be in charge of financial and legal matters while another is in charge of the more hands-on day-to-day help.

Related: The importance of long-term care planning (via Creighton Law Offices)

Recognize that longterm care can be expensive

Planning ahead for longterm care can also be very expensive, so being prepared financially is crucial. Here’re some tips from longtermcare.gov on what should to be addressed:

  • Services available from your family and in your community
  • Special conditions (such as age or income) that may apply for receiving services
  • Costs of services
  • Public or private payment options available to you

Physicians Choice Private Duty can help

Physicians Choice Private Duty ”currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa” provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the options available for those needing longterm care, whether in-home or in a nursing facility. When it’s needed, our professional staff can help properly implement the necessary lifestyle changes that will ensure the best quality of life for your aging loved ones.

All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts.

Contact us today.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..”

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Elderly care: Medicare not always the solution

Elderly care: Medicare not always the solution

Elderly care: Medicare not always the solution

Elderly care: Medicare not always the solutionMedicare = Mediocre

Medicare, like most entitlement programs, only provides minimal services. Other government-sponsored programs, like Food Stamps and Social Security, provide basic support without the intent of covering the entire solution. There are no government entitlement programs that provide all serves that are needed. They were created to provide basic needs to vulnerable populations.

Because of this basic premise, Medicare dictates what a participant receives in many areas. For example, Medicare decides how long a person can stay in the hospital after a particular health event and whether or not additional rehabilitation is warranted. If additional rehabilitation is needed, Medicare dictates where the rehab takes place — at home or in a facility, what type of therapy is indicated and how long a person can participate in therapy. Again, providing the basic amount of services — not what may be in the best interest of the particular patient.

Oftentimes, seniors believe that the services covered by Medicare are all they need, but in reality it is all that is authorized by the funding source. Many people benefit greatly from additional therapy and help in the home as they recuperate from surgery or other health crisis. Most of the time, this additional assistance is paid for privately and increases the chances of the patient becoming stronger and more independent over time.

Medicare is a very important part of any senior’s health care, but shouldn’t be viewed as the only solution.

By continuing in-home assistance (i.e. bath aides, home health care and physical therapy) privately, the patient is able to grow stronger and is often able to regain function and maintain it more effectively than those who stop receiving these services once Medicare decides to stop paying for them.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living has a staff dedicated to maintaining a person’s independence and enabling them to stay in their home for as long as they are safe. By providing in-home services, they are able to create a safe environment and assist them in remaining in their home.

Medicare is a very important part of any senior’s health care, but shouldn’t be viewed as the only solution. By looking at all the options and continuing therapy and in-home care until independence is reached should remain the ultimate goal. It is vital that, with your help, your aging parent takes charge of their own health and designs their own plan.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living is just a phone call away – 402-331-2273. We want to work with you to regain your strength and independence.

“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit http://www.private-duty.pchhc.com.“

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How can I help my elderly parent with COPD

How can I help my elderly parent with COPD?

How can I help my elderly parent with COPD?

How can I help my elderly parent with COPDMillions of elderly people suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is characterized by persistent, limited airflow, apt to inflammatory reactions to noxious particles and gases present in the airways and lungs. Sadly, COPD is a progressive disease with no cure, one that can only be slowed down by treatments and changes in lifestyle.

What causes COPD?

The most common cause of COPD is inhaled cigarette smoke. Still, other noxious particles like “smoke from biomass fuels and occupational dusts and chemicals can also contribute to the chronic inflammation encountered with COPD,” according to Aging Well Magazine. The chronic inflammatory response can cause emphysema due to damage done to parenchymal tissue. Eventually, normal repair and defense mechanisms are compromised, resulting in small airway fibrosis, according to Aging Well. Eventually, pathological changes occur, making it harder to take air in as well as get it out.

What are the symptoms of COPD?

As mentioned before, inhaling smoke or other noxious particles can cause COPD. Here’s a list of common symptoms from the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute:

  • Constant coughing/”smoker’s cough”
  • Excess sputum (mucus from coughing) production
  • Feeling unable to breathe
  • Unable to take a deep breath
  • Wheezing

In severe cases of COPD, shortness of breath and the other above symptoms can make the simplest of tasks — walking, bathing, dressing and even eating — extremely difficult.

How is COPD treated?

While COPD can’t be cured, the aim of treatment is relieving symptoms, slowing the progress of the disease as well as preventing and treating complications and improving overall health (this includes staying as active as possible).

Lifestyle changes go hand-in-hand with treating COPD, including the following:

  • Quitting smoking
  • Avoiding secondhand smoke
  • Keeping home as dust free as possible
  • Avoiding the use of products with strong chemical odors
  • Avoiding the use of fragrant sprays and lotions
  • Using a humidifier (especially if living in a dry climate)
  • Keeping necessities nearby, especially those with less mobility due to COPD

Related: The COPD Caregiver Guide (via Caring Today)

If the correct changes are made, a person can live a relatively normal life for several years to come. Still, other diseases and illnesses — from flu to pneumonia to cancer — can greatly enhance the risk of death poised from COPD.

Physicians Choice Private Duty can help

Physicians Choice Private Duty ”currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa” provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the options available for those with COPD. Our professional staff can help properly implement the necessary lifestyle changes that will ensure the best quality of life for your aging loved one.

All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts.

Contact us today.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..“

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End of life care: When is hospice needed?

End of life care: When is hospice needed?

End of life care: When is hospice needed?

End of life care: When is hospice needed?When an elderly parent or loved one nears the end of his or her life, hospice care may be a viable option. A person is eligible for hospice care when the doctor determines life expectancy to be six months or less. Also, hospice may be an option if it’s determined that further tests and treatments are no longer effective, and will instead add to or cause suffering.

What is hospice?

The Hospice Foundation of America defines hospice as “a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments.” Hospice care is provided by professionals with specialized knowledge of medical care — including pain management (palliative care) — and doesn’t prolong or hasten death, according to the HFA. Rather, the main goal of hospice is to offer a person suffering from chronic or terminal illness comfort and dignity. Emotional, social and spiritual support is also available for the patient and his or her family during this sensitive time.

A person’s hospice care likely takes place in a care facility, but can occur at home if circumstances allow it.

Related: HFA’s Understanding Hospice Fact Sheet

Home hospice

When home hospice care is provided, nurses are either on hand or on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These hospice care professionals can perform most of the procedures provided by a hospital or care facility, including administering medicine, set up IVs, do blood work, etc. Hospice professionals also keep family members informed on the progress of their loved one’s condition.

Related: Hospice: Conquering common misconceptions (via Chicago Tribune)

Physicians Choice Private Duty can help

Physicians Choice Private Duty — currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa — provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the options available for those in need of hospice care and related end of life conditions.

All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com“

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What to do if an elderly parent won’t take medication

What to do if an elderly parent won’t take medication

What to do if an elderly parent won’t take medication

What to do if an elderly parent won’t take medicationMary’s mother had been stubborn her entire life — with money and opinions (right or wrong), with driving routes and restaurants to eat at (a rare treat for a frugal woman like Mary’s mom). Now since dad was gone, Mary’s mother was living alone.

One thing Mary’s mother was never stubborn about was listening to the doctor. So on a recent visit, Mary found it odd that her mother was no longer taking her medication for her high blood pressure.

“Is something wrong?” Mary asked.

Her mother, usually stubborn as the cabinets bolted to the kitchen wall, seemed confused and shook off the fact that she’d forgotten to take her medication.

Mary was concerned, wondering how long this had been going on for. Her mother couldn’t give her a solid answer, so Mary took action. She went down to the pharmacist and asked for a printout of the medications her mother purchcased and if they were refilled on schedule. The results weren’t good.

It had been months since Mary’s elderly mother had taken her high blood pressure medication, which without it put her at far greater risk for heart attack and stroke. Her mother’s increased confusion was raising an alarm as well.

So what did Mary do?

After a doctor’s visit, it was discovered that Mary’s mother was showing the early signs of Alzheimer’s. Since Mary had a full time job and children of her own to take care of, she couldn’t make sure her mother was taking her medication on time and properly taking care of herself. After many stressful days of balancing far too many things at once than a healthy adult should, Mary was forced to consider taking her mother to a nursing home. Luckily, she found relief by seeking the advice and services of an in-home senior care provider.

An elder care manager provided great support, helping to set up doctor appointments and scheduling regular in-home visits from experienced registered nurses to make sure medications were taken on time, ensuring the overall care of Mary’s mother. As difficult as it was for Mary and the rest of her family to see their stubborn matriarch slowing down, there was great peace-of-mind knowing she was in the good hands of an elder care provider, and would be able to enjoy her final years happy, and in her own home.

Physicians Choice Private Duty can help

Physicians Choice Private Duty, currently serving Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa, provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the options available for people like Mary’s mother.

All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com“

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How to take care of yourself while caring for an elderly parent

How to take care of yourself while caring for an elderly parent

How to take care of yourself while caring for an elderly parent

How to take care of yourself while caring for an elderly parentCaring for an elderly parent can be an overwhelming experience. For one, there’s the stress related to seeing the health of someone close to you deteriorate. Two, the role reversal of caring for the person who cared for you so much of your life can be emotionally unsettling, to say the least. Not to mention the time it takes to give your elderly parent proper care — balancing work, family and friends all along the way.

That’s why in order to give the best care you need to first take care of yourself.

Help is always available from the knowledgable and experienced staff of senior care providers, such as Physicians Choice Private Duty.

An article in the Huffington Post by author John Shore offers “15 Ways to Stay Sane While Caring For an Elderly Parent.” Below, we’ve summarized the key points of the article for you.

  • Don’t neglect yourself. Make the time to go for a walk, watch your favorite shows, eat healthy and spend quality time having fun away from caregiving. This will help rejuvenate you and likewise will make you a better caregiver.
  • Take things slow. It’s new territory for both you and your elderly parent. Shore suggests you both let the process reveal itself and unfold organically.
  • Accept change. The role reversal of who’s-caring-for-whom can be very difficult to adjust to. Shore advises to “write a whole new script,” where old methodologies, emotions and roles may not apply.
  • Don’t expect any emotional revelations. While it would certainly be wonderful if your parent suddenly opened up to your emotionally and spiritually, don’t expect any sort of thing to happen. Rather, go in with no expectations and be surprised.
  • Show them respect. Even if you’re calling most of the shots, by offering your elderly parent as much autonomy as possible — giving options versus ordered — it’s a sign that they still have control over their own life. Likewise, don’t be surprised if they act angry or upset, give them the same respect they’ve earned from you your entire life. Also, asking their advice on various things shows you still trust, love and respect them.
  • Shore: “Love your health care providers.” The expert advice and support provide by the healthcare professionals also taking are of your elderly parent is priceless at such a sensitive time in both you and your parent’s life. Remember to treat well all who are helping — nurses, doctors, social workers, physical therapists, etc.
  • Look to your spouse for support. Oftentimes, according to Shore, your parent may be more comfortable relating to your spouse than you. This is likely because your parent has never been a dominant force in your spouse’s life, making them peers in a way. Let this relationship work the best it can for all parties involved.
  • Expect insane siblings. Aside from the emotional roller coaster associated with dying parents, there’s all that come along with it: your parent’s will, their possessions, their house, money and assets, etc. Shore is right on to suggest you stay away from participating in the madness, so long as you protect yourself.
  • Don’t let your parent get under your skin. Your parent is a master of driving you crazy, as they know exactly what your triggers are. Protect yourself from petty emotions episodes. Shore suggests using the Seinfeld-esque motto, “No buttons for you!”
  • Find outlets to let go of the stress. Things such as talking regularly with a friend and praying/meditating can go a long way in helping you not only deal with the stress of caregiving, but also helps your emotional health. Remember, no one really knows what happens when we die — there are bigger things out there.

Are there any tips for staying sane that Shore missed? Let us know in the comments.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/“

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