Caring for Our Caregivers
Being a caregiver is a powerful responsibility and a great undertaking. Today, one in every five adults are caregivers, and most caregivers have another job on top of the work they do for their loved ones
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In the United States, nearly 53 million adults are family or informal caregivers, according to the latest data from AARP. That’s 1 in 5 Americans who are caring for aging family members, friends, spouses, neighbors, or other loved ones who have disabilities, chronic illnesses, or otherwise need assistance with daily living or medical tasks. Most of these caregivers are women, and most are over the age of 50.
This October, during Long-Term Care Planning Month, we encourage caregivers to consider the long-term care needs of those they are caring for and how they can plan for the future.
Long-term care planning involves putting services in place to care for a person’s medical or personal care needs when they can no longer perform these activities on their own.
These needs might include assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting. You might also need to consider medical needs such as medication management, wound care, and assistance with medical devices that may need to be taken into account.
There are several types of long-term care options available, depending on the individual’s needs and preferences. These options include:
For those who choose long-term care facilities, you should know about the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (MLTCOP). This program is a free service that advocates for residents’ rights in long-term care facilities. An ombudsman can help residents with various issues, including resolving disputes with staff, obtaining needed services, and protecting their rights. For more information and to find your local Ombudsman, visit mltcop.org.
One key step in long-term care planning is assessing needs and preferences, and the best time to start is well before you need it. Whether the services you need are for yourself or someone else, planning early will provide you with the opportunity to think through what you or your loved one needs and wants as they age.
As you assess your needs and preferences or those of your loved one, consider these factors:
Long-term care can be expensive, and the costs can quickly add up. It’s important to start planning for the financial aspects of long-term care as early as possible. Here are some things you should think about:
Your best course of action is always to work with a long-term care planner or elder law attorney to create a comprehensive plan that addresses your loved one’s financial needs and preferences as well as your own.
In addition to financial planning, there are several legal considerations to keep in mind when planning for long-term care. These include:
As a caregiver, it’s crucial to seek the guidance of an elder law attorney to ensure your loved one’s wishes are honored and their assets remain protected. A comprehensive care plan developed in conjunction with a legal expert will alleviate stress and worry in critical moments, so you can focus on being with your loved one in the moment.
Creating a long-term care plan can be daunting, but it’s essential to ensure that your loved one’s needs are met and your family is prepared for the future. The earlier you start planning, the more time you’ll have to make informed decisions and secure the supports you and your loved one need.
At The Senior Alliance, we understand the challenges that caregivers face, and we’re here to help. Our Caregiving Haven offers a wealth of resources and support to start making planning easier, including our customizable Caregiver Binder, where you can collect the documents and information to help you manage your loved one’s care, and the Senior Alliance’s Caregiver Guide with more in-depth information about where to start in your caregiving journey.
Don’t wait until a crisis strikes to start planning for long-term care. Contact The Senior Alliance today, and let us help you navigate the complexities of long-term care planning so that you can focus on what matters most – caring for your loved one.
Being a caregiver is a powerful responsibility and a great undertaking. Today, one in every five adults are caregivers, and most caregivers have another job on top of the work they do for their loved ones
The world’s population is getting older, with people living longer lives than ever before. This demographic shift, driven by longer life expectancies and declining birth rates, presents both challenges and opportunities