finanical planning – Dealing with Dementia

Dr. Charles Parker interviewed me to learn more about my caregiving journey and why I was so passionate about other families avoid the roadblocks we faced. You can download this interview or listen on a variety of services here.

In time, my parents turned to me for help. I developed a deeper relationship and helped guide their care as well as end-of-life wishes. What I learned I use to provide classes for caregivers to help them on their journey, as well as offer all adults an understanding of why going deeper than estate, financial, and insurance plans is a necessity for anyone who wants to lead the life they choose.
~ Kay Bransford

Aging Parents: Why Kay Became Organized For Her Family

My aging parents’ health started to fail, and they were simultaneously walking into different forms of dementia [Mom = vascular; Dad = Alzheimer’s].

They didn’t recognize they needed help and would not accept it from their children. We were all worried for their safety and the safety of others. I had to learn how and when to step in to offer help; how to respect the parent-child relationship but guide them toward safer living arrangements, hide the cars as they continued to drive with revoked licenses, and manage their financials while ensuring they still felt meaning and purpose.

Noteworthy

My parents had planned well (estate, insurance, financial plans and moved into a continuing care retirement community), however, when I needed to step in as a personal and healthcare advocate, I didn’t have the knowledge or authority that I needed to help them. I created a system for myself, then others asked me for it, and I realized there was a greater need and wrote up a business plan and won an award from AARP Foundation for this idea and plan.

I changed a great deal. I had to change because my parents could not.