Article by Liisa Ogburn.
The Most Pressing Money Questions When Caring for your Parents
This month, because its tax season and money is on everyone’s mind, I am going to tackle the most pressing questions my clients ask me, as well as those they don’t know to ask.
At a potluck recently, a woman leaned over the table when she found out I was an elder consultant to say, “We pay over $14,000/month for my husband’s parents’ care. She’s in Enhanced Assisted Living and he’s in Memory. Can you believe it?”
I wish I could have said, “No!” Instead, I wondered where they were living. The price was high, but it could have been even more.
Price tags in the elder care world sometimes feels like one has stepped into this alternate reality. It’s like Disney World or Great Wolf Lodge, where a hotel room starts at $400/night and a soda can cost $12, except unlike those fantasy lands which you can choose or not to choose how to spend your saved pennies, many times, during the last period of life, you have no choice.
To read the entire article, visit: https://www.wral.com/the-most-pressing-money-questions-when-caring-for-your-parents/17465700/
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About the Author:
Liisa Ogburn is at the heart of Aging Advisors NC, bringing a rich blend of personal experience and global perspective to elder care. Raised in North Carolina with deep roots in Finland, Liisa has a unique appreciation for diverse approaches to aging, shaped by her life across different cultures including Finland, Estonia, Germany, England, Japan, and Costa Rica.
Her path into elder care consulting was deeply personal. While juggling her role as a Duke University educator and caring for her father-in-law and three young children, Liisa started sharing her family’s journey through articles for The New York Times and later, over 300 posts for WRAL Raleigh on everything from handling loss to choosing the right elder care options.
A teacher at heart, Liisa thrives on empowering others with knowledge. She offers her expertise in presentations to various groups—from churches to professional firms—and writes extensively, reaching audiences far and wide. Her credentials include certifications in geriatric care and a special certification from Brown University to teach Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, reinforcing her belief that calm minds make sound decisions.
