When I started Paper Moon Moves fourteen years ago, I was fortunate enough to find a few really great networking groups here in New York City that were filled with professionals who specialize in helping older New Yorkers. I remember going to meetings and soaking up all the information I could about all the services available.
And as we’ve continued to grow our senior moves business, we have been fortunate to meet many people who are doing excellent work helping seniors in New York City – helping them age in place, stay healthy, stay on top of their finances, and much more. It’s truly an honor to add to our contact list so many supportive and creative professionals.
But one thing always bothers me. It has not gotten easier for the seniors themselves, or their families, to meet these professionals. And there’s no easy way to even find out what kinds of services are available. There is, simply, no What to expect when you’re 80.
So, I’m going to use this space to start to introduce some of the helpful professional services that you or someone you love may need one day. This blog will cover a few key services and then I’ll cover more services in future blogs. If there are any particular professionals that you’d like to learn about, please note them in the comments section.
Trust & Estate Attorneys
Every adult should have certain documents in place. Having these documents will ensure your loved ones can avoid major bureaucratic headaches in the event they need to step in to handle your affairs. Additionally, these documents will help spell out your wishes and possibly prevent fights and stress among your loved ones.
A will: a will outlines how you want your assets to be distributed after your passing. Additionally, it enables you to designate guardians for minor children if necessary.
A trust: this allows you to transfer assets during your lifetime while maintaining control over them.
Advanced healthcare directive and healthcare proxy: these documents are for while you’re still alive. If you become incapacitated, these documents outline how you want to be cared for and, most importantly, who will be your proxy – the person who will have the power to make healthcare decisions for you if you no longer can.
Power of attorney: this is a legal document that designates someone to manage your financial affairs while you are alive if you become incapacitated.
A good Trust & Estate attorney will prepare all of the above for you. There is a cost involved, but these are costs that will make your life and your families’ life much easier one day. We have had many clients die without the above and I wouldn’t wish that kind of chaos and uncertainty on anyone.
Geriatric Care Managers (GCMs)
Also known as aging life care consultants, GCMs can play a critical role when you or someone you love are facing ongoing health challenges and uncertainty about how to maintain independence when health situations are becoming more complex, or if simply managing daily life becomes overwhelming.
GCMs are typically social workers. They sometimes work for themselves but, more commonly now, they form teams of GCMs who can adapt flexibly to the level of care their clients’ need. We work with a number of good GCMs and I can attest to how helpful they can be. They can coordinate care for someone with multiple medical issues, they can help seniors or their families understand options for home healthcare or for senior residences. And much more. The Aging Lifecare Association website is full of useful information and also has a directory for finding care managers all over the country.
Daily Money Managers
Often one of the first signs that someone may have dementia or is having a hard time managing their own affairs is that bills go unpaid.
A daily money manager will work with you to streamline your bills. They will read each bill as it comes in and, if you give them the authority, pay it on your behalf. If they see something amiss, they will work to correct any errors. They will even go through complicated medical bills and insurance bills, helping you figure out what to pay and when. The American Association of Daily Money Managers website has information about the industry and a useful directory for finding a daily money manager in your area.
In future blogs, I’ll cover home healthcare agencies, placements agencies, medical fields that offer home visits, and more. Let me know if there are any areas in particular that you’d like to learn more about.
