After you have assessed the basic situation, you must sort out what needs to be handled.  Make a task list.  Here are some things to consider:

• Is your parent living alone, or still with a partner?  In other words, if they fall down, is there someone there to help them get up?
• Do they need someone there?  All the time?  Just at night?  Or just for part of the day?
• Do they need meals prepared or brought in?
• Do they need grocery shopping done?
• Do they need someone to take care of paying the bills?
• Do they need someone to drive them to the doctors' or other appointments?
• Does the situation call for home aide or nursing assistance?  You’ll need one level of care if, for example, your parent is incontinent, and another more skilled level if your parent has complicated medication needs (injections, etc.).
• Do changes need to be made to their home to make it safer?  For example, do they need grab bars in the bathroom?  A seat or handrail in the shower?

In our case, Mom was Dad’s main caregiver, and we realized she needed time off – known as respite care – from the non-stop nature of her caregiving responsibilities.  She resisted, but we insisted, and she came to see the value in having a break every now and then.  Even after her recent stroke, Mom again resisted the assistance, as was her inclination, but now she truly finds it helpful.  She's making tremendous progress, but she still can't drive.

Ask your parents to sign a waiver (known as a HIPPAA waiver) so that you can share access to their personal health information.  This is one of the essential items to consider if you want to be equipped to handle whatever may come.  Click here to see Ten Essential Things To Do Now.