Podcast: Episode 7

When Parents Age: Handling Death, Documents, and Dragons

Louis shares his emotional and practical journey of returning to South Africa after seven years to help his aging parents organize their finances and end-of-life planning while navigating the role reversal that comes with being the adult in the room.

• Taking on the practical responsibilities of obtaining bank and general power of attorney
• Discovering that Louis's father had been more financially responsible than expected but was overwhelmed by administration
• Confronting the technology barriers aging parents face when companies move to digital systems
• Creating a comprehensive "purple file" containing all essential information for after death
• Navigating the emotional reality of becoming the parent to your parents
• Finding peace with having two homes - South Africa in heart, New Zealand as home
• Learning to just listen instead of reacting during difficult conversations

If you're facing similar challenges with aging parents, start the conversation sooner rather than later. These discussions aren't easy, but they provide clarity and peace of mind for everyone involved.