104 – Coronavirus Special: Planning to Help Aging Parents (Plus Q&A)

In This Episode:

Dr. K shares the coronavirus (COVID19) information and recommendations she presented on 3/12/20 to members of the Helping Older Parents Membership, plus answers to their questions about preparing themselves and protecting their aging parents. She covers:

• What’s most important to know about the coronavirus situation right now
• The current effort to “flatten the curve” and what that might mean in terms of how long precautions are necessary
• Issues that are likely to come for frail older adults
• How to think through care and housing options, and contingency planning
• The importance of reviewing what matters most to your older parent
• Why now is an important time to review advance care planning and preferences regarding critical care
• What to know about POLST and similar advance care planning documents
• Answers to member questions

Related episode: 

089 – Giving Yourself (And Your Family) a Gift on National Healthcare Decisions Day

Related Resources:

•  AARP Coronavirus Town Hall Transcript
• Washington Nursing Home Outbreak (Business Insider)
• CDC: COVID19 info
• Flattening the Coronavirus Curve (NY Times)
• POLST: Resources & Tips on Avoiding Pitfalls