We are in the midst of a public health crisis that no one is talking about!! As parents and relatives get older, oftentimes there is not a plan in place to get them the care that they need. This may become a strain on their families who were not financially or emotionally ready for this season.

In this episode of the Thank Me Later Show with Jini we speak with Sharise Thurman Byrd, the Program Administrator for the Atlanta Regional Commission Aging and Independence Services Department. With more than 10 years of experience working in independent, assisted, and memory care communities, Sharise has led families through the ups and downs of caring for aging relatives.

This episode is a MUST WATCH! If you apply the tips in this episode, I promise you will #thankmelater!

#thankmelatershow #thankmelatermoney #jinithornton #agingparents #eldercare #aging #sandwichgeneration
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RESOURCES:

AARP Assisted Living Checklist: https://assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_...

Look for the following in your state:
- Senior Living Association
- Healthcare Association
- Council on Aging
- Area Aging On Aging
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Connect with Thank Me Later:
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Connect with Sharise:
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TIMESTAMPS:
3:00 - Jini’s story of supporting aging relatives
5:45 - Different types of care for aging relatives and the financial cost
7:54 - Options to pay for assisted living (i.e. long term care insurance, life insurance)
12:17 - What is the “Area Agency On Aging”
13:53 - The importance of planning better for aging parents
15:37 - How inflation and annual increases makes long term care more expensive
16:53 - Negotiating with assisted living facilities
20:53 - Resources
23:33 - When it’s time to start having family meetings and engaging an elder law attorney
24:11 - Jini’s personal experience caring for an aging relative and how it impacted her family
27:08 - Why becoming a caregiver changes your life
29:54 - What no one ever told you about caring for aging relatives
31:37 - The dangers of aging relatives who outlive their money
34:03 - How to prepare for interviewing assisted living facilities
37:29 - Federal dollars that support aging relatives (i.e. Medicare and Medicaid)
37:57 - What families do wrong when they are going to assisted living facilities?
41:02 - Action Steps
42:13 - Why a living will or healthcare directive is critical