Aging, Caring & You:
information you need to help you care for your aging loved one
WHY?
Be Prepared.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. This caregiving website and podcast series provides the basic information you need to get you started on your caregiving journey.
Listen on the go.
This website provides information and a podcast series that organizes relevant caregiving facts into six topics. Listen to them at your convenience, while driving in your car or taking a walk. The series starts with the “general” category, and will progress from there.
All of our parents will age…
… and at some point, many of us find ourselves facing a role we never quite prepared for: caring for the people who spent their lives caring for us.
As our parents age, everyday decisions can become complicated and overwhelming. How do we know when they need more help? How do we talk to them about driving, medications, doctors, or living arrangements? How do we manage their finances and legal affairs while respecting their independence? And how do we balance their needs with our own families, careers, and responsibilities?
There are medical decisions, housing choices, financial concerns, safety issues, insurance questions, and long-term care considerations. There may be disagreements between siblings, difficult conversations with a parent who doesn’t want help, and the emotional challenge of watching someone we love become less independent.
You don’t have to figure it all out at once. This is a guide for navigating the many decisions that come with caring for aging parents; helping you understand what to expect, what questions to ask, what resources are available, and how to make thoughtful decisions along the way.
Alleviating Your Concerns
- What happens if one of them becomes too sick for the other to help?
- Is it time to start looking for a more appropriate home?
- With so many scams against the elderly, do you worry they may become victims?
We Have The Best Resources for Caregiving Topics
The internet provides an endless amount of information regarding caregiving for your parents and family, which can take a significant amount of time to review and digest, but this website and podcast series saves you the time and trouble of doing so.
The author has personally sifted through and simplified a lot of this information down to some of the key building blocks that you will need as you start organizing your thoughts and actions regarding caregiving for your loved one.
General Care
Health
Housing
Finance
Legal
End of Life
Where are you on this journey?
Caring for aging parents isn’t one decision. It’s a series of decisions that unfold over time. Sometimes you see the changes coming. Sometimes they happen suddenly. Either way, knowing what to look for and what to do next can make an overwhelming experience feel much more manageable.
We’ve organized the most important considerations into six stages of the journey:
GENERAL → HEALTH → HOUSING → FINANCE → LEGAL → END OF LIFE
In many ways, these categories can be looked at as a more personal roadmap to this journey:
RECOGNIZE → CARE → PLAN → PROTECT → PREPARE → HONOR
It is, however, important to recognize that this is not necessarily a linear journey. Families may enter this progression at any point. A parent may suddenly have a health crisis before the family has addressed finances. Someone may need to understand legal documents before making a housing decision. A spouse may pass away and suddenly move a family from Stage 2 to Stage 5. There is no perfect order. There is only the place where your family is today.
What we’ll do is give you the resources to understand what’s important, wherever you are on the journey.
GENERAL
RECOGNIZE
What’s changing, and when should I become more involved?
Learn to recognize the physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral changes that may indicate your parents need additional support.
HEALTH
CARE
Are my parents getting the care they need?
Understand their health care needs, medications, medical appointments, and the many ways you can help them stay healthy and independent.
HOUSING
PLAN
Where and how can they live safely and comfortably?
Explore the housing choices, modifications, support services, and care options that can help your parents live in both safety and comfort.
FINANCE
PROTECT
Are their financial affairs organized and protected?
Understand their income, assets, insurance, expenses, long-term care costs, and the financial issues that can arise as they age.
LEGAL
PREPARE
Are we legally prepared for what lies ahead?
Learn about wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, trusts, and the documents every family should consider having in place.
END OF LIFE
HONOR
Do I know (and can I honor) my parents’ wishes?
Have the difficult but important conversations about end-of-life care and make sure your parents’ wishes can be understood, respected, and honored.
Who Created This Website and Podcast Series?
Meet the Author, Kirk Rutter
“My family was not prepared for the death of my father. I believe that it was at this time that the seeds for this project were planted. It never occurred to my brothers, sisters or me to ask about a power of attorney or a power of attorney for healthcare, much less advance directives for healthcare or a living will.”
Coming Soon: The Book
A practical guide for one of life’s most important responsibilities.
Caring for aging parents is a journey most of us enter without a roadmap. The questions can be overwhelming, the decisions can be difficult, and knowing where to begin isn’t always easy. This upcoming book brings together the experience, guidance, and practical information families need to navigate this important chapter with greater confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
Built around the essential steps required for a successful plan as outlined on this website, the book will help families understand what to look for, what questions to ask, what decisions need to be made, and how to prepare before a situation becomes a crisis. Whether you’re just beginning to notice changes in your parents or are already deeply involved in their care, this guide is designed to help you understand where you are, and what to do next.
The book is currently in development. Check back soon for more information and an opportunity to be among the first to get a copy.
Testimonials
~ Julie P.
~ Jane A.
~ Paul D.