Financial Focus - Caring for An Aging Parent

Kelly Griggs • September 29, 2024

Caring for aging parents can be complex and emotionally challenging. Based on our experience, we encourage you to have these hard but important conversations anyway… before  your parent has a life-changing event and it becomes too late. Below are some questions that hopefully can get you started. 


How Do I Have Difficult Conversations with My Parents About Their Future?

Start by selecting an appropriate time and place. Be considerate. Let’s face it. Who really wants to think about aging, much less the idea that one may not be able to care for themselves in their later years. Privacy matters. So, we suggest not broaching the subject in a public environment such as a restaurant. Instead, choose a familiar and private setting, such as their home or yours. Be upfront and say that while it might be an uncomfortable conversation, you love and care for them enough to have it anyway.  \


One idea is to start with open-ended questions. For example, “How do you feel about your current living situation?” or “What are your thoughts on the kind of care you might want in the future?” This can facilitate dialogue rather than a one-sided lecture. Next, focus on your loved one’s well-being, emphasizing their safety, comfort, and happiness are your primary concern. Use phrases that focus on solutions rather than problems, i.e. making home modifications and finding in-home care vs. discussing declining health and hospital costs.  


What are the Available Options and Costs for Planning? 

 A reliable resource we utilize is  Genworth. You can enter different zip codes to get estimates of the cost of care for your area. This is the same site insurance companies use to price out their policies. It even allows you to fast forward 10-30+ years so you can get estimates on how much the cost of care will increase. You’ll want to learn about the different types of long-term care first – in-home care, assisted living, and nursing homes – to determine what might be suitable for your loved one. 


 We will continue to explore this important topic in the future and will address legal and financial considerations along with why thinking about future healthcare costs     now      is a good idea.       If you have specific questions, we can help. Call Boyce Wealth & Associates at 512-522-4838 or email me at kelly@boycewealth.com.

Logo for Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting with
By Eric Boyce February 2, 2026
This week, CEO Eric Boyce, CFA discusses: 1. Economic growth estimates for the 4th quarter lower, but numbers still expected to be good. 2. Leading indicators, port container volume down; factory orders slightly higher; retail sales slight uptick 3. comments on housing supply, significant shifts in the rental market, prices likely to continue to show slower growth 4. productivity higher likely due to AI; still risks of inflation, though, due to prices paid by producers 5. dollar remains weak, metals sell-off Friday in part due to new Fed chair nominee; money market inflows still robust despite interest rate decreases 6. quarterly earnings surprises lower; description of what to expect when earnings and economic growth are both positive 7. credit issuance going to be high, followed by refinancing of 1/3rd of all Treasury paper outstanding this coming year.
Family figures under a red umbrella, with text:
By Kelly Griggs February 1, 2026
Naming beneficiaries helps assets bypass probate, speeds payouts, reduces family conflict, and can override your will. Review designations regularly and list primary and contingent beneficiaries to protect your legacy.
Logo for Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting. Text:
By Eric Boyce February 1, 2026
Growth stays resilient as labor cools and core inflation hovers near ~2.8%. Fed likely pauses after 2025 cuts while leadership broadens beyond megacap tech; watch tariffs, geopolitics, and an “AI bubble” reset.
Logo for Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting. Text reads
By Eric Boyce January 26, 2026
This week, CEO Eric Boyce, CFA discusses: 1. Decision dilemma with FOMC rate meeting coming up - sticky inflation offset by weaker labor market 2. discussion of inflation components and influences 3. discussion of wages and income 4. residential housing, rental market, home improvement spending 5. exports, gold market and gold versus treasury holdings at foreign central banks 6. institutional and individual sentiment remains strong for risk assets 7. important market rotation underway - favoring value, equal weight, small cap and lower quality 8. balance of earnings growth shifting away from the Mag 7
Family on a couch; text
By Boyce & Associates January 23, 2026
Learn how you can take charge of your family finances, manage your budget, and build resilience for uncertain economic times.
Logo for Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting. Text reads
By Eric Boyce January 20, 2026
This week, CEO Eric Boyce, CFA discusses: 1. inflation trends heading into 2026 are favorable, pending risks from policy shocks or politicized Fed. Money supply growth also bears watching 2. Producer prices remain elevated; potential supply chain issues on the margin 3. recession probability falling, strong 4th quarter economic growth expected. First half 2026 visibility much better than the end of 2026 visibility 4. retail sales, NY/Philly Fed survey's positive; capital spending trending higher 5. labor market slowing; increased joblessness amongst younger worker and those with degrees 6. update on residential housing; oil production 7. Investor sentiment remains high, volatility low in both equity and fixed income; increased breadth in the equity markets - all sectors above moving averages 8. Lower 2 year rates steepening the yield curve; meanwhile, credit spreads remain very low - implying low risk of recession
Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting logo and
By Eric Boyce January 12, 2026
This week, CEO Eric Boyce, CFA discusses: 1. no significant predictive investment trends from geopolitical events, especially over the medium to long erm. 2. bank lending recovering, defaults higher but not yet a problem; new business applications on the rise 3. Housing - confidence and affordability still main drivers; average monthly payments and mortgage interest rates remain sticky 4. Job market remains sluggish; job sentiment weak 5. manufacturing remains weak; service economy remains in expansion 6. Big divergence still exists for hard versus soft data; soft data is weak, while much of the observable data is more positive. 7. Atlanta Fed predicting 5% annualized GDP growth for the 4th quarter of 2025 8. Equity market concentrations and valuation bear watching; fixed income poised for better performance
Glass jar with coins and a plant on wooden background with text
By Boyce & Associates January 9, 2026
Considering alternative assets? Learn the key questions to ask, risks to understand, and how alternatives fit into a long-term investment strategy.
Logo for Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting with
By Eric Boyce January 5, 2026
This week, CEO Eric Boyce, CFA discusses: 1. breakdown of drivers behind the 3rd quarter economic growth data and what to possibly expect in 2026, including possible impact from lingering tariffs and the OBBBA 2. inflation and wage trends heading into the new year. 3. the impact of income levels on spending, consumer confidence and expectations, as well as impact of tariffs and OBBBA on consumers by income level. 4. home prices up, but rate of growth decelerating; median home price to income ratios increasing. 5. Manufacturing activity remains sluggish in the Dallas and Richmond Fed districts, but future order growth looks promising. 6. Net federal interest rate expense will become a significant conversation during the 2030's. 7. breakdown of 2025 equity market drivers, including by sector and by factor. What to expect at least for the first part of 2026. 8. discussion of concentration risk, valuation and volatility heading into the new year. 9. more normal treasury yield curve at beginning of year; discussion of potential for rate cuts. 10.breakdown of commodity performance in 2025 and implications for potential commodity supercycle based on potential weaker dollar expectations 11.state of alternative assets in portfolios, weak crypto markets at end of year, implications of declining Chinese fertility.
Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting logo and text:
By Eric Boyce January 1, 2026
Consensus sees 14–15% S&P 500 EPS growth, AI capex and broader leadership, ~2% GDP, limited Fed cuts, and 10-yr 3.75–4.5%. Stay diversified with quality bonds and select alternatives amid tech and inflation risks.
Show More