Caring For Aging Parents

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Thanks to healthier lifestyles and advances in modern medicine, the worldwide population over age 65 is growing. In the past decade, the population of Americans aged 65 and older has grown 35%, and is expected to reach 94.7 million in 2060. As our nation ages, many Americans are turning their attention to caring for aging parents.1

For many people, one of the most difficult conversations to have involves talking with an aging parent about extended medical care. The shifting of roles can be challenging, and emotions often prevent important information from being exchanged and critical decisions from being made.

When talking to a parent about future care, it’s best to have a strategy for structuring the conversation. Here are some key concepts to consider.

COVER THE BASICS

Knowing ahead of time what information you need to find out may help keep the conversation on track. Here is a checklist that can be a good starting point:

Primary physician Specialists Medications and supplements Allergies to medication

It is also important to know the location of medical and estate management paperwork, including:2

Medicare card Insurance information Durable power of attorney for healthcare Will, living will, trusts and other documents BE THOROUGH

Remember that if you can collect all the critical information, you may be able to save your family time and avoid future emotional discussions. While checklists and scripts may help prepare you, remember that this conversation could signal a major change in your parent’s life. The transition from provider to dependent can be difficult for any parent and has the potential to unearth old issues. Be prepared for emotions and the unexpected. Be kind, but do your best to get all the information you need.

KEEP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN

This conversation is probably not the only one you will have with your parent about their future healthcare needs. It may be the beginning of an ongoing dialogue. Consider involving other siblings in the discussions. Often one sibling takes a lead role when caring for parents, but all family members should be honest about their feelings, situations, and needs.

DON’T PROCRASTINATE

The earlier you begin to communicate about important issues, the more likely you will be to have all the information you need when a crisis arises. How will you know when a parent needs your help? Look for indicators like fluctuations in weight, failure to take medication, new health concerns, and diminished social interaction. These can all be warning signs that additional care may soon become necessary. Don’t avoid the topic of care just because you are uncomfortable. Chances are that waiting will only make you more so.

Remember, whatever your relationship with your parent has been, this new phase of life will present challenges for both parties. By treating your parent with love and respect—and taking the necessary steps toward open communication—you will be able to provide the help needed during this new phase of life.

1. ACL.gov, 2020
2. Note: Power of attorney laws can vary from state to state. An estate strategy that includes trusts may involve a complex web of tax rules and regulations. Consider working with a knowledgeable estate management professional before implementing such strategies.

Weekly Market Insights – 1/24/22

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Stocks extended their January retreat as worries over inflation and rising bond yields continued to exert downward pressure on prices.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 4.58%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 sank 5.68%. The Nasdaq Composite index dropped 7.55% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slipped 0.61%.1,2,3

Another Turbulent Week
After the holiday weekend, stocks found little respite from this month’s selling pressures. The week began with the 10-year Treasury yield hitting a two-year high that triggered a broad retreat in stocks, with technology and other high-growth companies bearing the brunt of the losses.

The Nasdaq Composite officially entered correction territory and closed below its 200-day moving average for the first time since April 2020.4

Stocks struggled throughout the week, rallying in early trading on both Wednesday and Thursday on solid corporate earnings and stabilizing bond yields, only to end lower on late-day selling. While last year may have been distinguished by “buying on the dip,” this week reflected a different mindset, “selling on the rebound.” Stocks extended their losses in the final hours of the Friday trading session to conclude a difficult week.

Rate Hike Expectations Rise
Recent market volatility has stemmed predominantly from inflation concerns and how aggressive the Fed will be in fighting it. This reaction reflects the market’s pricing of rate hike probabilities, and their estimation of the Fed’s reaction.

Last week’s interest rate futures suggested that investors expect four or five rate hikes this year, up from three to four the previous week. Markets are pricing a 32% probability of 4-5 rate hikes by December and a nearly 28% probability of 5-6 rate hikes by year-end. Of course, the Fed will act independently of the market, but it provides insight into the recent run-up in yields and continuing pressure on high-growth stock valuations.5,6
1. The Wall Street Journal, January 21, 2022
2. The Wall Street Journal, January 21, 2022
3. The Wall Street Journal, January 21, 2022
4. CNBC, January 17, 2022
5. The Wall Street Journal, January 18, 2022
6. CME, January 19, 2022

Federal Judge Blocks Biden’s Vaccine Mandate for Federal Workers

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A federal judge in Texas blocked the Biden administration from enforcing its coronavirus vaccine mandate for federal workers on Friday, citing the outcome of last week’s Supreme Court ruling that nullified the administration’s vaccine-or-test requirement for large employers.

Why it matters: It’s a blow to President Biden’s efforts to increase the U.S.’ vaccination rates, though much of the federal workforce has already been vaccinated against the virus.

The latest: The DOJ formally appealed Judge Jeffrey Brown’s ruling shortly after it was released.

By the numbers: White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a press briefing Friday that around 98% of federal workers have been vaccinated against the virus.

“I would point to the Department of Justice on any next steps as this news, it sounds like just broke. But obviously we are confident in our legal authority here,” Psaki added.

The big picture: Brown wrote in a 20-page injunction that the executive order, which was issued in September, “amounts to a presidential mandate that all federal employees consent to vaccination against COVID-19 or lose their jobs.”

“Because the President’s authority is not that broad, the court will enjoin the second order’s enforcement.” Though Brown cited the Supreme Court’s decision for the purpose of the order, the high court also ruled last week that the administration has the authority to issue a vaccine mandate for health care workers at facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid funds.

Citation: AXIOS 1/21/22

WEEKLEY MARKET INSIGHTS – 1/13/2022

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MARKET INSIGHTS JANUARY 12, 2022

A jump in yields sparked by a more aggressive sounding Federal Reserve sent the market lower to start the new year.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.29%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined 1.87%. The Nasdaq Composite index was hardest hit, dropping 4.53% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slipped 0.55%.1,2,3

The Tech Wreck

The perception of a more hawkish Fed put a hard stop to the year’s positive start and pushed bond yields higher and stocks into a broad retreat.

Technology and other high-valuation shares were particularly hard hit by rising yields. Even the larger-capitalization technology companies with strong cash flows and profits were damaged. As yields trend higher, investors are questioning if these companies can lead the market in 2022. Fueling this decline was a four-day sell-off of technology companies by hedge funds that, in dollar terms, represented the highest level in more than ten years. Stocks continued to struggle into the final trading day, unsettled by a renewed climb in yields and an ambiguous employment report.4

The Fed’s Surprise

Minutes of December’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting were released last week, and it revealed a more hawkish Fed than investors had been expecting. One surprise was that the first hike in interest rates could occur as early as March. Another, and perhaps more consequential, surprise was the idea of beginning a “balance sheet run-off” by the Fed following the first hike in the federal funds rate.5

A balance sheet run-off means that maturing bonds won’t be replaced with new bonds, the result of which is a smaller Fed balance sheet. Many investors view this step as removing liquidity from the system, a departure from market expectations that the balance sheet would remain flat during the Fed’s pivot to monetary normalization.

1. The Wall Street Journal, January 7, 2022
2. The Wall Street Journal, January 7, 2022
3. The Wall Street Journal, January 7, 2022
4. CNBC, January 6, 2022
5. The Wall Street Journal, January 5, 2022

OUTLOOK FOR 2022

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By any measure, 2021 was a strong year for investors. But what’s in store for 2022? From my perspective, I expect that many of the same forces that influenced markets last year will play a role again in the year ahead.

COVID-19 remains tragic and unpredictable. The pandemic was one of the primary drivers of financial market activity in 2021. I hope that the worst is behind us, but I would not be surprised to see COVID-related events influence markets in the New Year.

The Federal Reserve will continue to get its share of headlines. From Fed Chair’s Powell’s nomination hearings to potential changes in interest rates, expect investors’ attention to shift to the Fed from time to time in 2022.

Tax law changes are always possible, but many of the anticipated federal tax law changes in 2021 were linked to President Biden’s Build Back Better plan, which ended the year in debate with Congress. So stay tuned here.

Here’s to a prosperous new year!