Are You Prepared for the Inevitable & the Unexpected?

By Andrea Krohn, CVOP™, Founder and CEO, Certified Virtual Organizing Professional,

LA Move Consultants

The sandwich generation—Adults caring for both aging parents and their own children—faces unprecedented challenges in today's world. With longer lifespans and delayed childbearing, more adults find themselves squeezed between competing caregiving responsibilities while managing their own careers and financial obligations. 

The Reality of Caregiving Demands 

Caregiving is far more complex and time-consuming than most people anticipate. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, family caregivers spend an average of 24 hours per week providing care, with many dedicating 40+ hours weekly to these responsibilities. The emotional, physical, and financial toll can be overwhelming, especially when caregiving needs arise suddenly due to medical emergencies, accidents, or rapid cognitive decline. The challenge intensifies when adult children realize they lack critical information about their parents' lives, finances, and wishes. What seems like basic knowledge often becomes a frantic treasure hunt during crisis moments when time is precious and stress levels are peak. 

You Don't Know What You Don't Know

The phrase "you don't know what you don't know until you need to know it" perfectly captures the caregiving dilemma. When a parent suffers a stroke, develops dementia, or faces a medical emergency, adult children suddenly need immediate access to information they never thought to collect. Information becomes critical overnight. Which medications does your parent take, and at what dosages? Who are their primary care physicians, specialists, and preferred hospital? What allergies do they have? What's their medical history? Without this information, medical professionals cannot provide optimal care, and family members cannot make informed decisions.  Technology and access present modern challenges. What are their phone, email, and banking passwords? How do they access their medical portals? Which devices do they use for communication? In our digital age, being locked out of accounts can mean being locked out of essential services and information.  Financial and legal networks require immediate identification during crises. Who is their financial advisor, banker, accountant, and attorney? Where are important documents stored? What insurance policies exist—health, long-term care, life, disability? Do they have a will, trust, or advance directives? Who has power of attorney for healthcare and financial decisions?

Preparation is Imperative

Smart planning involves creating comprehensive information systems before they're needed. This isn't about being morbid—it's about being practical and loving. 

Document Everything: Create detailed lists of medications, doctors, and medical conditions. Maintain updated contact information for all professional service providers. Document insurance policies, account numbers, and important passwords in secure, accessible locations.

Legal Preparedness: Ensure wills, trusts, and advance directives are current and properly executed. Establish power of attorney documents for both healthcare and financial decisions. Consider long-term care insurance while parents are still healthy and eligible. 

Communication is Key  

Have honest conversations about preferences, fears, and expectations. Discuss end-of-life wishes, preferred living arrangements, and financial priorities. These conversations are never easy, but they're infinitely more difficult during crisis situations.

Technology Solutions: Consider password managers, shared digital folders, and emergency contact systems. Ensure multiple family members have access to critical information.

Invest in Peace of Mind

Preparation requires time, energy, and sometimes financial investment upfront, but the alternative—scrambling during emergencies—is far more costly in every sense. The sandwich generation already faces enormous pressures; removing the uncertainty and chaos that comes with inadequate preparation can significantly reduce stress and improve outcomes for everyone involved.

Professional guidance from financial planners, elder law attorneys, and healthcare advocates can streamline this process and ensure nothing critical is overlooked. The investment in proper planning pays dividends in reduced stress, better care outcomes, and preserved family relationships during challenging times.

The inevitable reality is that most of us will either need care ourselves or provide care for loved ones. The unexpected can happen at any moment. The question isn't whether you'll face these challenges—it's whether you'll be prepared when they arrive.   

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About the Author:

Andrea Krohn is the Founder and CEO of LA Move Consultants, a Certified Virtual Organizing Professional (CVOP™), and the immediate Past President of NAPO-LA. With over 10 years as a member of NAPO and NASMM, she is certified in Life Transitions, Staging, and Move Management. Andrea has been listed on bestofexpertise.com for three consecutive years and provides professional organizing and move management services throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

References: 

• National Alliance for Caregiving: https://www.caregiving.org/ 

• Long-term Care Insurance Information: https://www.longtermcare.gov/ 

• National Association of Professional Organizers: https://www.napo.net/ 

• National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers: ttps://www.nasmm.org/Bottom of Form