Home Again for the Holidays. Pay Attention to Aging this Holiday Season

"Home for the Holidays" will be about normal for 2023. There is a good chance you may see loved ones you may not have seen in a while. Take time to notice any aging or health changes in older family members before a crisis occurs. Then, think about your longevity plans.

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Home Again for the Holidays. Pay Attention to Aging this Holiday Season
7 Min Read October 29th, 2017 Updated:November 20th, 2023

As the calendar pages flip, a familiar festive buzz begins to fill the air across the nation. The holiday season is unfolding its magic, with Christmas spirit twinkling in every corner. Advertisements, glittering with holiday cheer, remind us that the 2023 holiday season is here, ready or not. This year's celebrations promise a return to near-normalcy, a joyful departure from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic that marked recent years.

 

Families are eagerly sketching out plans for reunions, eager to make up for lost time. While COVID-19 might seem like a distant memory for many, a dash of caution with vaccinations or negative tests can still be the secret ingredient to ensure this holiday season is both merry and safe.

 

The 2023 holiday season is shaping up to be busy for airports and hotels, with nearly half of Americans planning to travel. According to the 2023 Deloitte holiday survey, there is a notable decrease in concerns about health and finances deterring travel compared to 2022. Although some worries about flight delays and cancellations remain, they are less of a deterrent this year.

The United States Department of Transportation says more people travel for Thanksgiving than they do for Christmas and New Year's. But travel for all fall holidays is bringing American families back together.

Travel to a destination 50 miles or more away increases by 54% over Thanksgiving weekend and 23% during Christmas and New Year's. If you are traveling or the family is coming to you, paying attention to older family members you may not have seen in a while is very important. 

The holiday season often brings families closer together, creating a time for joyous reunions and cherished moments. During these gatherings, many families are spending more quality time with each other, a change from the hustle of everyday life and something that was more scarce during the COVID-19 years. 

However, these reunions can also bring an unexpected realization: the noticeable aging of loved ones. For some, seeing how much a grandparent, parent, or distant relative has changed since their last meeting can be a shock. This stark recognition of the passage of time can turn holiday cheer into a moment of reflection, reminding us all of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the time we have with our family members.

The holidays are an excellent time to think about the consequences of aging since the holidays are all about family. It is perhaps the reason why November was chosen as Long-Term Care Awareness Month, but the concern continues throughout the holidays and throughout the year. 

Holidays Can Bring Depression

However, holidays can cause times of sadness, possibly leading to depression. It is not the holiday itself that can lead to depression. What makes people sad are memories of how people were when they were younger. The shock of aging can be much bigger if you have not seen loved ones recently in person.

Pay Attention 

But this may be the first time we have seen some older family members in a while. Be sure to take proper COVID-19 precautions but watch for those older loved ones. Pay close attention to help avoid a future family crisis. Look for health changes, mobility problems, and memory issues you may notice as you interact with your family. Stay on top of these problems before they become a family crisis.

There are several reasons to pay special attention to older family members when you see them this holiday season. Notice if they are unable to participate in celebrations as they once did. Are they having mobility or balance problems? What about confusion or memory problems?

Declining health could be impacting their ability to do normal living activities, endangering them and affecting their independence. Do they seem forgetful? 

If you see this decline with older loved ones, be sure they get the attention and care they need. Watch them interact in their environment and see if they have started to lose their independence. Often they will deny having any problems but let your eyes be your judge. 

If you have older family members who appear to need help, a family discussion can lead to some care plan that will maintain their health and safety and preserve their independence for as long as possible.

Things to Look For

Many experts say it's not unusual to spot personality or behavior changes that go unnoticed by those who see your loved one regularly. It is essential to speak up about these issues with other family members.

Some of the items to look for include:

  • Forgetfulness
  • Confusion
  • Neglect of physical appearance or basic hygiene
  • Neglect of regular medical needs
  • Trouble performing routine household tasks and activities
  • Personality changes
  • Wobbliness, clumsiness, or history of falls
  • Lack of or delayed response to sudden sounds or loud noises
  • Wearing inappropriate clothing
  • Difficulty answering simple questions
  • Repeating the same story over and over again

If you observe these issues in a loved one, the family should determine how advanced the problem may be. Decide if the problem impacts their health and well-being and whether any financial issues are being appropriately addressed.

Your estate or elder law attorney will help prepare key documents such as powers of attorneys and healthcare directives. A good estate lawyer can also help the family feel confident that they are making the best possible decisions for future financial security and peace of mind during an otherwise challenging time.

Kristina R. Hess, a San Diego estate planning attorney.

Family members should see if the loved one has Long-Term Care Insurance, a will and power-of-attorney, and other documents which will protect them and the family.

If they own a Long-Term Care Insurance policy, get free - no-obligation help with making a claim. LTC NEWS has combined efforts with Amada Senior Care, a leading in-home health care agency with locations throughout the country, to help you process a claim from any LTC Insurance policy.

 

There is no cost or obligation for this service - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim

 

Even if they do not own a policy, help with a proper plan of care and finding quality caregivers and facilities are available.

 

Finding quality care can make all the difference in maintaining a better quality of life. The LTC NEWS Caregiver Directory is an excellent resource where you can find the most comprehensive directory of all types of long-term care services no matter where your loved one lives - Long-Term Care Services Directory | Find Care Near You

 

Because of longevity, it is more vital than ever for families to address critical issues, including long-term care planning. Long-Term Care Insurance has become an essential part of retirement planning. Over 13.25 billion dollars in Long-Term Care Insurance benefits were paid in 2022 alone. Jesse Slome of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance says that millions of people have LTC Insurance in force, but family members and friends often have no clue.

 

I often refer to it as the 'silent purchase' because few aging parents tell their adult child they have this protection in place.

Declining health and aging are significant reasons why the purchase of Long-Term Care Insurance. It may be too late for an older family member to purchase a Long-Term Care Insurance policy. Pre-existing health conditions and age may prevent them from obtaining coverage. However, people generally get coverage in their 40s and 50s when premiums are much lower and health is usually better, although if you have fairly good health, you can find options in your 60s and beyond. 

Matt McCann, a leading specialist in long-term care planning, says LTC Insurance has become a vital part of an overall retirement plan.

People today understand the physical, emotional, and financial burdens that long-term health care can have on a family. Most of the people I speak with are ages 45 to 60 and have lived through an extended care event of a parent, grandparent, friend, neighbor even a co-worker. Since so many people have personal experience, they know they must address the issue before retiring.

There are several resources for consumers to help them educate themselves on Long-Term Care planning.

This website, www.ltcnews.com, has numerous resources and articles. 

The US Department of Health and Human Services has a website devoted to this issue: www.longtermcare.acl.gov. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has an entire section on its website dedicated to long-term care:www.naic.org.

Plus, the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance has informative information on its website - www.aaltci.org.

U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A., says the issue of aging is a critical public issue.

All of us are aging no matter what age we are at, to be clear.

Murthy, M.D., M.B.A., said he talked with his parents about aging and their future needs.

The conversations we have had is how they can stay healthy and independent as they get older recognizing they want to be part of their children's lives but they don't want to be dependent on their kids for everything.

Don't forget those older family members who may live in a long-term care facility. While they may not be able to join the rest of the family at holiday celebrations, you should visit them if the facility allows it and you have been vaccinated. 

Family visits during the holidays can improve life for older adults in care facilities. Barbara Dunn Swanson, a human sciences specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, suggests planning ahead to make the most of these visits. 

Read her hints here: Plan for Holiday Visits with Older Adults.

Does Your Retirement Plan Consider Long-Term Health Care?

Pause for a moment to think about your plans for the later years of your life. Aging is a gradual process that often sneaks up on us, bringing along chronic health issues and other challenges associated with getting older. These changes can affect our health, body, and mind, potentially leading to the need for assistance with daily living activities or supervision due to conditions like dementia.

To prepare for the potential costs and challenges of aging, consider including an affordable Long-Term Care Insurance policy in your retirement planning. This can ensure you have access to quality care in your preferred setting, help protect your savings from the escalating costs of care services, and relieve your loved ones from the role of being your primary caregiver.

Aging will inevitably affect you and your family. A well-thought-out retirement plan that includes Long-Term Care Insurance can protect your future retirement income and assets, and reduce the stress on your family in the future.

Use this holiday season as an opportunity to discuss and plan for these important issues. Avoid waiting until a crisis arises. It's important to remember that caregiving is a demanding task for family members, and professional care is costly and only increases in expense due to higher demand and labor costs.

The holiday period is an ideal time to begin your online research about future aging and long-term care needs. By planning ahead, you can alleviate the pressure and burden on your family regarding your future care.

Enjoy your holiday celebrations while also laying the groundwork for a successful and healthy future.

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About the Author

An LTC News author focusing on long-term care and aging.

LTC News Contributor James Kelly

James Kelly

Contributor since August 21st, 2017

Editor's Note

Aging happens, and the consequences can dramatically change a caregiver's everyday life. Now, do you want to place this responsibility on your children decades from now? Most every survey suggests most people do not want to be a burden on their family. However, have you done anything to avoid that from happening?

You deserve quality care, and your family deserves the time to be family instead of becoming your future caregiver. The solution is affordable Long-Term Care Insurance.

You might think it is too expensive. The truth is most people find it very affordable, but most insurance agents and financial advisors are not skilled at finding and designing appropriate coverage. Premiums vary dramatically between insurance companies, and policies are custom designed.

In many ways, LTC Insurance is 401(k) insurance, but it is much more than that. Long-Term Care Insurance shields your loved ones and finances against the expenses and hassles of aging and failing health. Your loved ones can remain family and not become caregivers.

Most people obtain coverage in their 50s when premiums are much lower, and their health gives them more options. An LTC Insurance specialist will work with all the top companies and understands underwriting, policy design, and claims - Work With a Specialist.

 Tools and Resources Available on LTC NEWS

There are a variety of tools and resources that LTC NEWS offers that can help you in your research:

  • The Ultimate Long-Term Care Insurance Guide - If you like details, you will enjoy this comprehensive guide to LTC Insurance. 
  • Long-Term Care Guides  - LTC NEWS has several other guides that can help you plan or find quality care.
  • Cost of Care Calculator - Find Your Location - You can find the current and future cost of long-term health care services where you live.
  • Frequently Asked Questions - Get the answers to the most often asked questions about long-term health care planning and LTC Insurance.
  • Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim - Does a loved one - like your Mom or Dad - have a Long-Term Care Insurance policy and need to file a claim to get benefits? LTC NEWS will help. If they don't have a policy, but you need help in getting a plan of care and finding caregivers, LTC NEWS can also assist.
  • Reverse Mortgages - Learn about reverse mortgages and ask questions about how they work and if you or a loved one would benefit from one.

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