Caring for an aging parent can be a daunting task, especially when they have a chronic illness. It’s bad enough to watch someone you love suffer through sickness, but adding financial struggles to the mix can be traumatizing. The reality is that 70% of us are more likely to get sick before we die, so it’s important to plan ahead and make sure that your family is well taken care of without having to worry about financial stress.
Having difficult conversations about sickness and death may not be easy, but it’s essential to ensure our parents get the best care possible. Developing communication between siblings before our parents’ health declines is key to creating a unified front when providing care. Taking steps now to discuss end-of-life plans and our priorities can help reduce stress in the future.
In this episode, Risa Morimoto talks about the best ways to care for aging parents. Taking the necessary steps to plan ahead and be proactive can help reduce stress and make the end-of-life transition smoother. She shares some tips on how to balance caring for your parents while managing your own family’s needs.
Let’s jump in!
Snapshot of the Key Points from the Episode:
[02:56] Things you can do to alleviate stress when caring for a sick parent. Why is it essential to develop lines of communication even before your parent gets sick?
[06:44] How to discuss sickness and death with your parents?
[12:22] Initiating discussions and planning your end of life.
[15:19] Self-talk and how to handle them to avoid burnout.
[18:17] Understanding and accepting people’s limitations and strengths.
