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12 Conversations: How To Talk to Almost Anyone About Long-Term Care Planning

Published: April 12, 2022, 2:51 p.m.

b'People are encouraged to plan for retirement (Save money!) and dying (Make a will!). But many of us \\u2014 maybe most of us \\u2014 forget that there can be a long (and expensive) time in between.

In this episode, host Lenore Tracey talks with author, humorist, and elder law attorney Cathy Sikorski. Cathy\\u2019s new book, 12 Conversations: How To Talk to Almost Anyone About Long-Term Care Planning gives caregivers and future care recipients \\u2014 all of us \\u2014 reasons to talk to each other about how we\\u2019ll pay for care and what types of care we want. Better yet, Cathy gives us the language to deal with these conversations, no matter who you\\u2019re talking to \\u2014 Mom, Dad, your grown-up kids, your Uncle Fred, your doctor, or your mom\\u2019s doctor.

Check out what long-term care care costs where you (or your loved one) live: https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html. Best to be sitting down when you do this! Then commit to having those important conversations with the people you love.

*Genworth Financial 2021 Cost of Care Survey

About Our Guest:

Cathy Sikorski has been a caregiver for the last 25 years for eight different family members and friends. A published author and humorist, Sikorski is also a practicing elder law attorney. Her legal expertise and sense of humor have made her a sought-after speaker where she tackles the legal issues that affect those who will one day be or need a caregiver (which is everyone).

Cathy\\u2019s most recent book, 12 Conversations: How To Talk to Almost Anyone About Long-Term Care Planning offers practical advice for discussing this difficult topic with your aging parents, your adult children, your siblings, your spouse, and other key players you will meet as a caregiver - or a care recipient. Cathy\\u2019s wicked sense of humor and commitment to straight talk will prepare you to get through these conversations successfully - maybe even gracefully!

Cathy\\u2019s first book was a memoir, Showering with Nana: Confessions of a Serial (killer) Caregiver. That was followed by Who Moved My Teeth? - a humorous and informative book with practical and legal tips for caregivers and baby boomers. Cathy maintains an active blog \\u201cYou just have to Laugh\\u2026where Caregiving is Comedy\\u2026\\u201d.'