The holidays are a great time for families to get together, even though many may be far-flung for reasons of recreational travel, military service, business or education.

These days, many aging baby boomers are not only responsible for raising their own children and even (sometimes) grandchildren, but also for taking care of their parents. As time goes by, these 50- or 60-something adults are providing more and more care for their parents. Tied to this increased responsibility is the increasing need to assist parents with their financial matters.

Helping one or both aging parents with financial matters can be a difficult task for baby boomers. Many families have a challenge talking about a wide range of topics, and money or finances are often at the top of the list of taboo subjects. When to offer to assist or when to stay out of their business (literally) can be tough for both seniors and their adult children. Knowing what to do and when to do it with a father’s finances can be a high-tech science approaching an art form.

At Northeast CONTACT, we have advocated in many of our columns over the years for consumers to keep an eye on the well-being of senior citizens who may be losing the ability to manage their own finances. They say charity begins at home, so assisting members of one’s own family first is certainly in keeping with that ancient homily. Here are a few helpful tips that may make it easier for family caregivers to help.

. Visit often and watch closely. Ask for permission to review their financial records, checkbooks, bills, canceled checks and credit card bills. Are the bills a second notice, are the records organized? Have duplicate checks been written for the same bill? Have large expenditures been paid to sweepstakes contests, lottery tickets, or charitable organizations? Are there utility disconnect notices? Are there dunning collection company notices? If you can answer yes to one or more of these, then perhaps adult child intervention is necessary.

. If your parents’ expenses far exceed their income, seek assistance from governmental programs designed to assist older Americans with limited resources. If the parent is a homeowner, this might be a financial resource that could be tapped through a sale and move to more modest and manageable accommodations. Reverse mortgages are another potential way for a senior to be able to continue to live in the family homestead.

. If, as the adult child of senior parents, you feel financial help is necessary for them, locate a financial planner who is reputable and can assist you through the myriad of financial records, taxes and strategies that maximize their resources.

. Get key legal documents in place. Durable power of attorney will allow a trusted family member to manage the finances of his parent. A will and a living will are also important. Remember, plans to put these life-altering documents in place are best done early, long before a real need becomes apparent, with all aspects talked out thoughtfully and deliberately, before a crisis arises and snap judgments are made willy-nilly, or worse yet, helpful avenues of legal action become unavailable because the parent is too incapacitated to execute these documents. Remember, too, that adult child intervention may only be needed on a temporary basis as a parent recovers from illness or disability.

. Be persistent and be easy on yourself. Rome wasn’t built in a day and your parents’ finances won’t be rewired in a similar length of time. Seek support from other siblings or family members whenever possible. In many circumstances, the outcome or results will not match your expectations. Parents will revolt or the topic may become a source of family conflict. Your motives may be held suspect by your mother or your older sister. Take your time in this process and try to find opportunities where this often stressful, anxiety-provoking subject can be addressed. If the discussion goes badly one day, wait for a better opportunity another day.

. Seek additional outside resources. Your attorney can be a solid benefit in your quest to ensure your parents’ financial independence. Also, there are many elder care organizations that can offer assistance in these money matters. This is their bread and butter and they offer a wealth of experience and ideas to assist.

Assuring that parents maintain their dignity and independence as long as possible is a paramount goal in these activities. As the holiday season descends upon us, let’s hope that families can provide assistance with their aging parents’ need for financial management and keep peace in the family at the same time.