04/23/2026
April is National Stress Awareness Month, and caring for aging parents is one of the biggest stressors many families face.
In our experience, stress drops when the basics are handled before there is urgency.
Here are 5 things to consider:
➡️ Financial power of attorney, so someone can act if needed
➡️ Healthcare proxy, so medical decisions are clear and legally supported
➡️ Account access, so a trusted contact can see what is happening without scrambling
➡️ Bill pay strategy, so nothing becomes a late fee problem on top of everything else
➡️ A shared “where things live” file, documents, logins, contacts, including key professionals
These are not fun conversations, but they are often a gift to future selves and to siblings who may need to step in.
When preparations have been made, families can give more time and attention to what actually matters.
