Thanksgiving: A Time to Give Thanks, and to Check on Our Aging Loved Ones and Neighbors

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It is a special time to be grateful and get together with family members and friends we do not see often.

Thanksgiving offers a unique opportunity to pay closer attention to the well-being of the older adults in our lives. I encourage you to look beyond the surface. As we sit at the table with aging parents, aunts, uncles, or neighbors, it is important to observe how they are really doing. Are they managing their daily routines? Are they engaging in conversation and seeming like themselves? Are there signs of memory issues, confusion, or physical decline? Holidays can reveal subtle changes that might otherwise go unnoticed in phone calls or brief visits.

If you notice that someone is struggling, it may be time to gently raise the idea of getting additional support, whether that involves help around the house, medical attention, or professional legal guidance to ensure their wishes are respected and their affairs are in order. You don't want to come across as bossy or critical. For example, you could ask.. “Is anything feeling harder than it used to? If you ever need help figuring it out, please know I am here, and I care about you.” You aren't offering to care for them; you're just offering to get involved and help them figure it out. Every town in Massachusetts has an Aging Service Access Point. This is a great first call to find out what resources may be available. Find the Aging Service Access Point near you,

Thanksgiving is also a good time to remember those who may not have family close by. Solo seniors, who live independently without nearby relatives or a strong support system, can face particular challenges during the holiday season. Loneliness and isolation are real concerns. If you know someone who might be spending Thanksgiving alone, consider inviting them to join you.

If you are a solo senior, Thanksgiving is a meaningful time to reflect on your own well-being and your support network. Do you have trusted individuals who can step in if you become ill or incapacitated? Have you appointed a health care proxy or a power of attorney? Are your estate planning documents up to date, and do they reflect your wishes? These are not easy questions, but they are important ones. Taking steps now to build a strong support system can bring peace of mind and protection later on.

At Senior Solutions, we believe that no one should face aging alone or unprepared. We are here to help families navigate these conversations with compassion and to assist individuals in building a foundation for their future, which not only includes legal documents but also ensures our clients have people to count on.

We are thankful for our clients. We wish you and your loved ones a peaceful, joyful, and healthy Thanksgiving.

Senior Solutions, Attorneys at Law, is an Estate Planning and Elder Law firm serving the Greater Boston, Massachusetts area since 2001. We are ready to help you with Medicaid Planning, Estate Planning, Probate, Guardianship & Conservatorships, Special Needs Trusts, and Fiduciary Services. We are here to help. Please call our office at 617-489-5900 or schedule a brief consultation (offered to new clients) by clicking the button below:

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