Plan Ahead for Family Caregiving

Family caregiving often comes with no warning. A loved one may be healthy and independent one day and seriously ill or disabled the next. During any given year more than 50 million people provide care for aged, disabled or chronically ill family members or friends. Research indicates that the average family caregiver is a 46-year-old woman who also works and has children. Family caregivers assist with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing andfeeding. Other duties include running errands, shopping, preparing meals or managing a family member’s finances. Caregiving duties usually don’t end if a loved one is placed in a long-term care facility. Caregivers may make regular visits to monitor or assist with care.

Many view caregiving as a labor of love. However, the job can be stressful and lead to the neglect of a caregiver’s health and personal needs. Because caregiving may require much time and energy, it can interfere with job performance and strain family relationships. Caregiving can present financial challenges such as how to find money to pay for hired help. There may also be financial burdens due to reduced work hours on the part of the caregiver. Caring for a sick or disabled family member can be emotionally draining when a caregiver observes a steady decline in the care recipient’s mental or physical abilities.

The good news is that many of the challenges associated with family caregiving can be avoided or lessened with some careful planning. The following information and suggestions will help you get started.

Talk It Over with Family
Initiate a family discussion about what would happen if you or a loved one should need care. Discuss various options such as in-home care, assisted living or skilled nursing care. Determine how much money will be available to pay for expenses. This is also an appropriate time to discuss what should happen if you or your loved one are no longer able to make medical or financial decisions. A living will is a document that expresses one’s wishes about life support and medical treatment. A power of attorney authorizes a person or organization to act on behalf of another. These documents help eliminate stress for a caregiver who may be faced with making tough decisions when a loved one is incapacitated. You should seek proper legal advice on how to complete these documents. The N.C. Bar Association Web site at www.ncbar.org contains information to help you better understand these issues. Contact their lawyer referral service at 800-662-7660 in state or at 919-677-8574 in the Raleigh area and from out of state.

Learn About Community Resources
Get to know your community resources before you need them. Start with your local senior center or Area Agency on Aging to learn what is available in your community. These organizations have information on resources such as adult day care and respite services that allow caregivers to take a break from their responsibilities. They may be able to provide or link you to services such as in-home care, chore services and transportation. They have staff and trained volunteers who can assist you with questions about health insurance programs for older adults.

Medicare is an insurance plan that covers people age 65 and over and some disabled individuals. This program provides some limited coverage for skilled nursing care. Contact your local Social Security office to find out what Medicare will cover.

Medicaid is a state and federal program that pays for some of the health care costs for older, blind and disabled adults with limited income and resources. Your local Department of Social Services (DSS) handles applications for this program at the county level. Don’t assume that your family member will not meet the eligibility requirements. It is best to contact the DSS Adult Medicaid Unit and talk with a Medicaid worker about your family member’s needs and financial status. They will evaluate the situation to determine eligibility for assistance.

Your local Cooperative Extension center can also provide information and resources to help you. Some Extension centers offer caregiver education classes in partnership with the Area Agency on Aging. These classes are designed to teach caregivers to care for themselves while caring for others. Remember, family caregiving often catches people by surprise. Be prepared by obtaining information to help you and your loved ones before you need it.