Juliana’s Story: How One Woman’s Planning Protected Three Generations
Carroll Golden - Retirement Strategist
Juliana had always been the glue in her family.
A mother of two teenagers, a small business owner, and the only daughter of aging parents, she was used to managing a lot. But when her father was diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson’s—and her mother began showing signs of memory loss—she found herself staring down a reality that no spreadsheet had prepared her for.
It wasn’t just emotional. It was logistical. It was financial.
And it was happening now.
She Could Have Delayed. Instead, She Took Action.
Juliana sat down with her advisor and had the conversation many avoid:
“What happens if I have to manage all of this—my business, my kids, and my parents?”
That meeting wasn’t just about money. It was about creating space—space to plan, to breathe, to prepare. Together, they reviewed her parents’ Medicare coverage, estimated care costs, and set up a dedicated long-term care fund.
They also mapped out scenarios:
What if home care were needed 5 days a week?
What if her mom’s condition progressed faster than expected?
Who else in the family could help, and what were their limits?
Juliana brought her parents and her children into the conversation. It wasn’t easy—but it brought clarity. Her parents shared their wishes. Her kids understood their roles. And Juliana felt something she hadn’t felt in weeks:
Relief.
Because She Faced the Challenge Early, It’s Working Now
Six months later, her dad began needing more support.
Because they had a plan, Juliana didn’t have to step away from her business.
Because her parents’ wishes were documented, there were no difficult decisions to guess at.
Because the financial strategy was in place, there was no need to tap into college savings—or her own retirement plan.
And because her kids had been included from the beginning, they stepped up in small but meaningful ways—without resentment.
Juliana wasn’t doing it all alone.
She had a team, a plan, and, most importantly, a sense of control.
Planning Made the Difference
Juliana’s story isn’t rare.
What’s rare is that she faced it before it became a crisis.
This is what long-term care planning can do. Not just for the one receiving care—but for the whole family. It doesn’t eliminate the stress, but it softens the landing.
Because when life happens—and it will—the best gift you can give your loved ones isn’t just your time or your money.
It’s your preparation.
📘 This blog builds on themes from my book, Leading in a New Retirement Era: How to Lead, Adapt, and Win in an AI-Driven World. It’s not about creating a one-size-fits-all retirement—it’s about understanding your influences, your finances, and your future so your plan is truly yours.
Disclaimer: This material does not constitute tax, legal, investment, or accounting advice and is not intended for use by a taxpayer for the purposes of avoiding any IRS penalty. Comments on taxation are based on tax law current as of the time this article was produced.
