You can find special community and online support groups. There are many ... situation of your loved one, some services,
From the authors of the award-winning book,
The Healthcare Survival Guide™
Helping
You
Help a Loved One
What you need to know about caregiving Martin B. Rosen and Abbie Leibowitz, M.D. Cofounders of Health Advocate™, Inc.
Helping
You
Help a Loved One What you need to know about caregiving As a caregiver of a loved one, you are not alone. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, over 65 million people in the U.S. provide care for a friend or family member who is chronically ill, disabled or elderly. Those in need of care are people who suffer from a wide variety of conditions, from Alzheimer’s disease to Parkinson’s disease to multiple sclerosis.
You Are Not Alone
Most caregivers are middle-aged women (about 67%), although men are increasingly joining the ranks of caregivers. As a condition progresses, ordinary tasks like meal preparation, bathing and feeding can become even more stressful and burdensome, and the responsibility can often result in “caregiver burnout.” However, there is help. What follows are 16 tips to help you give your loved one the best care possible while protecting your own health.
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Here’s what You need to know... Make the Most of Available Resources
Understand the diagnosis. The first step is talking with your loved one’s doctor to help you fully understand the severity of the condition, and what you can expect to happen over the coming days, months and years. Know what to expect and what you can do to provide a safe, comfortable environment for yourself, your family and your loved one. Make a plan. Your plan should include a list of things you have to do and the resources you will need to make them happen. This can include items like reviewing your insurance coverage, getting legal help, building a daily care schedule, reaching out to family members and making special arrangements with your employer for ways to help you handle your caregiving responsibilities. Find a support group. There is great strength in knowing you are not alone. You can find special community and online support groups. There are many resources to help you in your search. For example, caregiver.com has a “Regional Resource” tool that can locate support groups in your county. Consider consulting a social worker or therapist. It’s important to have someone listen to your struggles and help you with coping strategies. Ask your local hospital or doctor to refer you to an appropriate professional. Get organized. Create a calendar that notes special dates such as doctor visits or day care. Keep handy all important phone numbers and medical records in case of an emergency. Talk to your insurance company. Depending on the age and situation of your loved one, some services, such as adult day care, may not be covered by your loved one’s insurance plan.
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Helping You Help a Loved One — What you need to know about caregiving
Check out Medicare and Medicaid coverage. Contact your county’s Department of Aging, as well as the Social Security Administration to learn more: ssa.gov. Also, be sure to ask your state Medicaid office about their “waiver” programs. Waiver programs may provide coverage for at-home care, adult day care, and other care services. Medicare may also help you pay for home healthcare and/or durable medical equipment. To find out about the coverage available to you, visit medicare. gov/coverage.
Seek legal advice. As soon as your loved one is diagnosed, it is important to consult with an elder law attorney. The attorney will help you and your loved one protect assets, plan future care, determine end-of-life wishes, assist in the will resolution and assign power of attorney. The sooner you contact an attorney, the more likely your loved one will have their wishes heard and documented. To find an elder law attorney, visit the Eldercare Locator at eldercare.gov. Or, visit the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys at naela.org
Build a support team. You can’t do it alone, so take some time to build a support team. This should include your loved one’s doctor, family members, friends, religious or community organizations, and anyone else you can turn to in a time of stress. Don’t be afraid to meet with your family to ask them to share in the day-to-day responsibilities and/or the cost of care.
Enlist support services. Many community, religious and medical organizations offer ongoing support services to help with daily chores, including help with meals. Services also include transportation to and from activities and appointments.
Talk to your employer. Many employers now offer caregivers solutions such as access to a personal health advocate, flexible work schedules, telecommuting options, subsidies for care and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). If your employer does not specifically offer these services, ask about intermittent FMLA support which will allow you to take time off from work, but still protect your job.
Consider adult day care. Having your loved one participate in a day care program, even for a few hours a day, can be stimulating for them and give you a much needed break. In your search for day care, consider the age and condition of your loved one, and whether you would prefer care from an organization or an in-home aide.
Talk to your children. Watching a loved one suffer can be especially difficult for children. Talk to them about what your loved one is experiencing and what to expect. Consider attending family therapy sessions to help address the elevated emotions and associated stress. Take time for you. As you experience the difficult and often painful journey of caregiving, it’s vitally important that you take time to care for yourself. Make sure that you eat nutritiously, get proper exercise, set aside time to do something you enjoy, or take a long-awaited vacation. Know your limits. Every caregiver’s situation is different. Only you will know when you can no longer provide the level of care needed by your loved one. Therefore, only you will know when it’s time to seek a nursing home or other continuous care. Follow your instincts and know that you can always choose to bring your loved one home. Enlist respite care for “time-off”. Respite care can be provided free by friends, family, volunteers, or by hiring a home health agency. You can also look for a facility such as a nursing home, assisted living residence or a board-and-care home that accepts short-term residents.
Helping You Help a Loved One — What you need to know about caregiving
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Caregiving Resources The following resources include the leading national and regional organizations, as well as Health Advocate services and publications that can help support caregivers, older adults and other consumers as they navigate healthcare issues.
National
Regional
National Family Caregivers Association
Caregiver Media Group
thefamilycaregiver.org | 800.896.3650
caregiver.com/regionalresources | 800.829.2734
Social Security Administration ssa.gov | 800.772.1213
Meals on Wheels Association of America mowaa.org | 703.548.5558 The Meals on Wheels Association of America is the oldest and largest national organization composed of and representing local, community-based Senior Nutrition Programs in all 50 U.S. states, as well as the U.S. territories. There are Meals on Wheels chapters nationwide that can deliver meals to seniors confined to their homes. To find a chapter near you, visit them on the internet.
Eldercare Locator eldercare.gov | 800.677.1116 A nationwide service available toll-free or on the Web which helps older adults and their caregivers find local services for seniors.
Health Advocate™, Inc. HealthAdvocate.com | 866.939.3435 Health Advocate, Inc., the nation’s leading independent healthcare advocacy and assistance company, serves more than 25+ million Americans, through our more than 8,200 clients, helping their employees and members personally navigate healthcare and insurance-related issues. Our Personal Health Advocates help locate providers and services, address senior issues such as eldercare and Medicare, resolve billing and claims issues and more. The company also offers a direct-to-consumer service, called Health Proponent®, to individuals who are not part of groups.
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Caregiver Media Group provides information for caregivers, about caregivers and by caregivers. The website requires no registration. Use the “Local Resources” section of the site to find support groups, financial aid, and other resources close to you.
Publications Caregiving: The Impact on the Workplace and Caregiving: Workplace Support Checklist HealthAdvocate.com/caregiving.aspx Download a FREE Caregiving white paper and checklist, as well as other caregiving information.
The Healthcare Survival Guide™ HealthcareSurvivalGuide.com The Healthcare Survival Guide, Cost-Saving Options for the Suddenly Unemployed, offers easy-to-read, quick access to a spectrum of affordable government, private and charitable insurance options; free or minimal-charge clinics; sources for discounted drugs; tips to save on hospital bills; steps to dispute a bill and practical measures to stay healthy to reduce doctor visits.
Helping You Help a Loved One — What you need to know about caregiving
About the Authors Martin B. Rosen is cofounder, Chief Marketing Officer, and Executive Vice President of Health Advocate, Inc., and an accomplished marketing executive with broad-based experience in brand building. Previously, he served as the Head of Communications for Aetna U.S. Healthcare and earlier, served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for NYLCare Health Plans.
Abbie Leibowitz, M.D., is cofounder, Chief Medical Officer, and Executive Vice President of Health Advocate, Inc., and a nationally recognized authority on managed care, clinical management, quality assurance, and medical data and information systems. He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He formerly served as Chief Medical Officer at Aetna U.S. Healthcare.
Rosen and Leibowitz are coauthors of The Healthcare Survival Guide™, winner of the 2010 Benjamin Franklin Award for Best First Book (Non-Fiction) and the 2010 APEX Grand Award for a One-of-a-Kind Publication.
Health Advocate, Inc., the nation’s leading independent healthcare advocacy and assistance company, serves 25+ million Americans through more than 8,200 client relationships. Our Core Health Advocacy service personally helps members navigate healthcare and insurance-related issues. We also offer a broad spectrum of add-on, complementary employee- and employerbased solutions designed to lower healthcare costs, increase productivity and improve outcomes. For more information, go to HealthAdvocate.com. Independent. Confidential. Convenient. Health Advocate is not affiliated with any insurance or third party provider. Health Advocate does not replace health insurance coverage, provide medical care or recommend treatment. TOLL FREE 866.385.8033 |
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