How do I make sure my mother's personal information travels with her?

It's important that you and her other caregivers know where copies of your mother's important personal documents are located -- in both states. This includes her durable power of attorney and her healthcare directive.

The challenge for "snowbirds" is to make sure that these documents are valid in both jurisdictions. Some states have different execution requirements, like requiring that documents be notarized, for example. So it's important to make sure that the attorney drafting the documents knows that the papers need to comply with the rules for both Michigan and Arizona.

As far as your mother's medical paperwork, it depends which health insurance she uses. If she's enrolled in Medicare, that's a federal program, so the rules won't vary from state to state. However, she can only enroll in Medicaid in her state of residence -- so if she's using Medicaid services, she'll need to pick one state and stay there, because Medicaid won't go back and forth with her.

Online banking services and websites can help automate monthly financial chores like bill paying. However, many elderly people aren't comfortable making online payments. If your mother is willing, you can help her set up her account and show her how simple it is to use.

You might also want to look into local bill paying programs for senior citizens. These services will help make sure that your mother's bills are paid on time and forwarded to the right address. Check with her local senior center or her healthcare provider to see whether this kind of service is available where she lives.