After relying on mom and dad for everything from extra cash to career advice, have the tables turned and do they need you as badly as you used to need them? If so, you’re not alone. Accordingto a recent survey by the AARP, approximately 44% of Americans are caring for elderly parents and that number is only expected to increase as the baby boomers enter their golden years. With this in mind, many adult children are trying to figure out how to take care of aging parents who can no longer take care of themselves.

The best thing you can do is to prepare in advance so you understand your parent’s wishes and are well-educated about community resources that can help you provide your parents with the best possible care. However, many adult children just aren’t prepared, have no idea where to start looking for help and maybe aren’t even exactly sure what kind of help they need. If you fall into that latter category, don’t worry. Take a deep breath, exhale and read on.

1.  Identify your parent’s needs. Make a checklist of essential needs such as bathing, cooking, cleaning, errands, groceries, and companionship. Writing it all down and, if possible, getting input from your parent will help you determine what is crucial and whatisn’t.

2.  Accept and enlist helpearly on. Identify community resources (many are free or operate on a sliding scale) meet with siblings and/or other family members to determine who is going to do what; ask for help from neighbors, friends and extended family members.Don’t martyr yourself and make the mistake of trying to do it all. Ask for and ACCEPT help.

3.  Important documents. Makesure your parent has an updated and valid Will, a durable power of attorney and advanced directives which include a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care.

The best thing you can do is to prepare in advance so you understand your parent’s wishes and are well-educated about community resources that can help you provide your parents with the best possible care. However, many adult children just aren’t prepared, have no idea where to start looking for help and maybe aren’t even exactly sure what kind ofhelp they need. If you fall into that latter category, don’t worry. Take a deep breath, exhale and read on.

1.  Identify your parent’s needs. Make a checklist of essential needs such as bathing, cooking, cleaning,errands, groceries, and companionship. Writing it all down and, if possible, getting input from your parent will help you determine what is crucial and whatisn’t.

2.  Accept and enlist helpearly on. Identify community resources (many are free or operate on a slidingscale) meet with siblings and/or other family members to determine who is goingto do what; ask for help from neighbors, friends and extended family members.Don’t martyr yourself and make the mistake of trying to do it all. Ask for and ACCEPT help.

3.  Important documents. Makesure your parent has an updated and valid Will, a durable power of attorney and advanced directives which include a living will and a durable power of attorneyfor health care.