There are no easy answers when dealing with aging loved ones.  There are also limitless topics we could discuss.  Here, I only address one: the need for communication.  There are so many issues that are difficult to discuss as families and loved ones age.  Old patterns of communication, old rivalries, assumptions can all get in the way.

But, even though these discussions will be hard, it is so vital to try your best to have them.  If you are young (or young-ish) and there is an aging person close to you, do you know things like:  

-  who are all of their professionals (their doctors, lawyer, broker, home health aid, etc.)
-  where do they keep important things (such as wills, lists of medications, contact numbers, keys, combinations, etc)
-  who has signing authority (on checks and invoices and other financial stuff, who can sign?)
-  what are their preferences (regarding health care, end of life care, etc.)

You can't get to all of this, and other, information all at once.  It takes time.  Maybe years.  But the sooner you and other family members can have open discussions about these types of things, the easier your lives will all be down the road.

Good luck and peace!

It's hard to save money.  There are so many claims on so few resources.  It can sometimes seem like it's hopeless to even try.  Not true!  Here's an approach that, over time, can work. 

Begin by opening an account that you don't have ready and easy access to. This account can be a savings account at a bank you don't often use, or an IRA or some other type of investment account.  The main thing is that it should be an account that you don't constantly tap into (like with a debit card).  If you want a tax deduction and can leave the money be for a long time, then look into an IRA.  If the tax deduction isn't so important to you, then look into a savings account. 
 
Then, begin to make deposits or contributions to this account each and every month.  The easiest way to do this is to have your bank or employer set it up so the monthly amount is electronically transferred over to the new account.  Don't transfer a huge amount at first.  Transfer just a bit, whatever you can comfortably afford.


Now, here's the trick:  every six months, ratchet up the amount of your monthly transfer by a little bit more, depending on what you can afford.  So, if you started with a monthly transfer of just $20 or $50 or $100, then in six months, ratchet that  monthly amount up to $25 or $75 or $125.  And then let it run for another six months.

After another six months, ratchet the monthly amount up again.  And then again in another six months.  Keep doing this for three years or so.

Before long, you'll find that you are saving quite a bit of money each month.  But you won't have to have a drastic adjustment process.  Over time, you'll be able to save a lot of money each month, but you won't feel the impact upon your lifestyle and expenses in such a dramatic way.

I hope this helps for you!