Parent’s Death Left Family Unable to Access Vital Online Accounts
Dear Carol: I rarely see this problem addressed. My dad, a widower, was in excellent health for someone in their 70s. He was fully able to handle his financial and medical affairs. Still, he understood the importance of the necessary legal work to include the family’s ability to care for him and take over after his death. What happened is that a massive heart attack took his life. Since he had no heart risk other than age, the suddenness was devastating. Even so, we felt we could manage the after-death legal work until we realized there was no record of the logins and passwords for his online accounts that we could find. Getting this mess settled took time, money, and emotional energy. We’re on the other side now, but please tell older adults that they must share their online logins, passwords, and methods of two-party verification with someone they trust. – BD
Dear BD: I’m so sorry about your sudden loss. It’s extremely kind of you to take time during your grief to help others. The obvious solution is for older adults to keep at least one other person in the loop with account logins, passwords, and other online information. This has become trickier since…
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Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. An inspiring read for caregivers! Minding Our Elders is a series of stories about caregiving. But it is much more than that. It’s a book that helps us view aging and community through the lens of someone well versed in eldercare. Author Carol Bradley Bursack has been a caregiver for a neighbor and six elderly members of her family. These experiences made her the perfect person to interview and share the stories of friends and acquaintances. Through crisp writing and a sharp focus, we enter the lives of those struggling to care for loved ones with dementia and other age-related illnesses. As I read Minding Our Elders, I felt myself filling up with both appreciation and admiration for those who adopt the caregiving role. In addition, I was struck with the inherent value Carol sees in our elders. This is a well-written book that will stir your heart! …Ann Campanella
