Juggling finances can be challenging for seniors. It’s often difficult to know how much money you will need to live comfortably, especially when unexpected medical expenses could arise at any moment. When providing senior care to a loved one, it’s important to have a conversation about finances to ensure they feel comfortable with their situation. The conversation may not be comfortable at first, but if you approach it the right way and offer help when needed most, you can both be on the same page. These tips can help avoid significant financial burdens and surprises when caring for a loved one.

Be Transparent During Conversations About Finances

When you’re ready to have a conversation with a senior loved one about their finances, preface it by saying you just want to understand the situation and help when needed. Some seniors don’t want help with certain things because it could take away from their independent senior living goal, so be transparent with why you’re asking them financial questions. On the other side, some seniors may need help in different aspects but don’t want to ask since they assume you’re too busy to assist them. The first step in providing support is having conversations to understand the situation so you can know when the time is right to provide meaningful help.

Look For Signs Your Senior Loved One Needs Help

A quality conversation may give you all the answers you need, but your senior loved one may not tell you everything. If you suspect they need more help than they indicate, look for some signs to confirm your suspicion. Unopened mail that looks like bills lying around the house is a sign they could be avoiding them because they don’t have enough money to pay them. Bill collectors will often call and send letters, so pay attention to those when providing senior care and ask about them. When caring for a loved one, one of the most important things to do is monitor their actions and lifestyle, which can indicate they are dealing with some problems, including financial concerns.

Offer Help, While Still Allowing Independence

People striving for independent senior living often don’t want help because it takes away their independence. You may consider telling them you respect their desire for independence, but also recognize they may need some assistance. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give them money, but it could simply be they need help managing their finances, balancing a checkbook, paying bills on time, or anything else. Give them the space they need and offer as much help as they will accept.

Next Day Access is here to help you provide the highest level of senior care you can. We understand there are many different aspects of caring for a loved one, and our goal is to make the mobility aspect as simple as possible for you. If your senior loved one could benefit from a mobility product, device, or aid, contact us today, and we would be happy to discuss various options with you.