Lessons in Caring
December 30, 2013 by NAIC
Singer Amy Grant to baby boomers
Singer-songwriter Amy Grant knows firsthand the complex and emotional decisions facing today’s baby boomers. In 2011, Grant moved her ailing mother into her home to surround her with family during her final days battling dementia. Today, Grant and her sisters are caring for their dad as he suffers from the same debilitating disease.
These experiences prompted Grant to join the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to help consumers get smart about insurance so they can have peace of mind while navigating life’s inevitable twists.
When both Grant’s parents were diagnosed with dementia, the family struggled to find guidance or a road map for the journey ahead. Now, Grant shares what she’s learned about educating yourself and planning ahead for life’s unexpected turns:
- Create a plan: Instead of living in fear, frustration and regret, face the situation proactively. Establish a plan that gives your loved one the care he or she needs, and allows you to actually enjoy the time you have together.
- Solicit support: Seek to distribute responsibilities between the broadest community of individuals around your loved one. Caring for a parent while working a full-time job and raising kids is draining, emotionally and physically. Surround yourself with people who care and be willing to ask for help.
- Talk about finances: Long before you think you need to, review your parents’ insurance information to assure you understand their wishes and to make changes together. If your parent is considering purchasing an annuity, additional life insurance or long-term care insurance, be sure to do the research. Take the Insure U long-term care quiz.