‘Tis the season to be jolly and to pay extra attention to your senior relatives and neighbors! Celebrations are great and family get-togethers can be meaningful but New Year’s reunions offer poignant opportunities for getting senior housing and senior long-term care solutions in order. When spending prolonged quality time with their parents and other relatives over winter holidays, many adult children are surprised by the declining abilities they see in their loved ones.

Children and their siblings often become alarmed. The wrong thing to do is overreact but the correct way to proceed is with a family discussion about how to improve parental health, safety, and quality of life. This is a great time to have meaningful discussions about short-term and long-term care and financial decisions. We’ve got 5 reasons to set time aside for a serious family discussion over this New Year’s holiday.

1. Togetherness – From Thanksgiving through Christmas, most US families spend quality time celebrating together. This is the perfect time to make observations about your parent’s quality of life and identify their physical, psychological and emotional challenges. Don’t be surprised if there is more confusion than at this time last year. Ask yourself: Should your loved one be driving? Can they manage their medications? Might they leave a burner on? Do they need immediate in-home care? Do they have the financial resources for competent and comfortable long-term care? Do their children have the knowledge to help fine-tune a long-term care strategy? Has a family member met with the physician or financial advisor of the senior to get started?

When the family assembles over the holidays, there are opportunities to talk candidly about options, including long-term care options. This is the perfect time because you are very likely to see the best and worst of your parent’s abilities during this period.

2. Change is in the Air – With President-Elect Trump, many seniors are concerned about their future and the new president’s impact on healthcare and Medicare. Mr Trump has said Medicare benefits should not be changed but with the country deep in debt, is his campaign promise realistic? Even if your parents do not discuss this with you, the chances are good that they are thinking about their future and their ability to pay for long-term care in a Trump administration.

Are you aware of the ways to fund health for seniors, from Medicare, Medicaid and other options, such as Life Care Funding? The New Year holiday is a fabulous time to put heads together and see what you know and what more you need to know. The experts at Life Care Funding are here to help.

1. New Year’s Resolutions – While discussing the conditions of your senior relatives, take the time to make specific long-term care planning one of your family’s top priorities. Build a team and make sure every family member is on board. There is something for every family member to do in the new year. And don’t forget to appoint a leading caregiver/coordinator. This can make for a much healthier, much happier and safer environment for your parents! Next year you can take an inventory but this is the time and place to begin.

1. Procrastination Ends Here – After the holidays, we are likely to get back into the swing of our daily grind. It has happened before and it will happen again unless we make a conscious effort to take care of senior relatives. Dedicate next year to perfecting your parents’ long-term care and, if necessary implementing living and lifestyle changes. Take the time to investigate all your housing, care and financial options in 2017’s changing environment. There is no more time for procrastination and Life Care Funding can help.

1. Make Time For Homework – Over the holidays, you will be busy with family and friends. If you can find time to work together, you can each declare and accept responsibilities that can lessen the effort that it will take to improve your parent’s well-being and future.

Have a terrific New Year’s holiday season. Let the experts at Life Care Funding help you answer questions and make financial decisions for the future of your senior loved ones!