Dear You, Are You Ready For Your Parents’ Medical Emergency?

Because let’s face it—it’s not about if it happens, it’s about when it happens. And the question is: Will you be ready?

I’ll never forget the call. It was a Tuesday afternoon. I was in the middle of a meeting when my brother called—twice. That only happens when something is wrong.

“Dad has collapsed,” he said, voice shaking. “We’re rushing him to the hospital.”

My heart sank.

In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not work. Not errands. Not deadlines. Just one thought ran through my mind: Are we even ready for this?

The Truth We Don’t Want to Face

We love our parents. We owe them so much. But let’s be honest—most of us haven’t prepared for that phone call.

We assume they’re strong. That they’ll always be there. That maybe we’ll figure it out when the time comes. But life doesn’t send calendar invites for emergencies.

In that hospital waiting room, I looked around and saw stories just like mine—sons and daughters running around trying to sort bills, find a doctor, or locate a hospital bed. Some use their savings. Others are making urgent M-Pesa requests. And a few, just staring at a bill, helpless.

Read Also: Jubilee Health Insurance Launches Its First Center of Excellence, Agency Office; Empowering Agents To Bridge Kenya’s Healthcare Gap

Love Looks Like Preparation

Caring for our parents isn’t just about Sunday visits, shopping runs, or sending pocket money. It’s also about thinking ahead.

Can they access a doctor fast?
Would they get the right treatment without delays?
Would we afford the unexpected?

As they grow older, their needs change. The small clinic around the corner might no longer be enough. They may need more regular checkups, specialist care, or even home-based support. And these things—let’s be real—can cost money.

Let’s Talk About the Real Cost

A hospital admission for something like high blood pressure, diabetes, or even a fall can easily run into tens or hundreds of thousands.

And the emotional cost? Watching your parents in pain and not being sure how to help—it stays with you.

That’s why more of us are now rethinking how we support them. Some have started putting plans in place. Some have found affordable health coverage options made just for seniors—with benefits that genuinely matter.

I recently came across a plan called JSenior—specifically built for older parents. And what stood out to me?

• It covers pre-existing and chronic conditions, which is rare.
• The inpatient limit goes as high as 10 million, which means even the big, unexpected costs are taken care of.
• It even allows for home-based care—no extra charges, just part of the package.

That kind of peace of mind? Priceless.

It felt like someone finally thought about our parents, not just young, healthy people.
For anyone in the same boat, this is one of those things you’ll be glad you looked into early. Might be worth checking out: https://jubileeinsurance.com/ke/product/j-senior-medical-cover/

What You Can Do Today

If you’re lucky enough to still have your parents, do this:

• Have a real conversation about their health.
• Find out their regular medical needs.
• Ask yourself—if something happened today, would we manage?

Preparing doesn’t mean something bad is coming. It means you care enough to protect them from it.

Final Thoughts

No one is ever truly ready for a medical emergency. But there’s a big difference between being caught off guard and being caught unprepared.

We plan for weddings. We save for cars. We insure our phones. Let’s do better for the people who raised us.

Because one day, when that call comes in, you’ll want to say, “We’ve got this.”

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