elder care: taking care of yourself while caring for your elders
TRANSCRIPT
Elder Care: Taking Care of Yourself while Caring for Your Elders
Overview:
Being pulled in so many directionsKey aspects of senior life issuesPlanning ahead with your parents: communication, communication, communicationMaking realistic assessment of the care needs Elder Care – a family & community affair Take care of each other
Pulled in so many directions
Sandwich generationBetween ages of 35 and 60Needs of your own childrenNeeds of your parentsOwn financial future and financial needs of parents
Pulled in so many directions
WorkingRaising your own childrenCaring for an older adultCan cause you to feel:
ExhaustedOverloadedGuiltyWorrying that you have neglected someone
Key Aspects of Senior Life Issues-Medicare
Covers medical expenses for individuals over age 65Part A: hospital insurance and skilled nursingPart B: basic medical services-md office visits Part D: PrescriptionWhere to obtain information.
Key Aspects of Senior Life Issues - Medicare
Many care needs not coveredPrescription drugsRoutine physicalsEye glassesHearing aidsMost dental servicesRoutine foot care
Key Aspects of Senior Life Issues - Medigap
To fill the difference left by MedicarePurchase Medigap policies
Private insurance Two forms
• One fills the gaps in Medicare benefits• One assigns coverage for medical care through an
HMO or other managed care plans
Key Aspects of Senior Life Issues - Prescriptions:
Explore medigap plans for prescription coverageUse mail order for chronic medicationsTalk with MD about alternative medications or genericsShop around to different pharmaciesExplore low income programs through the pharmaceutical companies
Key Aspects of Senior Life issues - Living environments
Independent LivingContinuing Care Retirement CommunitiesAssisted Living CentersBoard and Care HomesSkilled Nursing HomesDementia/Alzheimer Units
Key aspects of Senior Life Issues - Living environments
Identify the options available in your areaReview these optionsSelect a few facilities for a site visitDo your homeworkMaking a decisionConsult with the EAP for assistance in this process
Key aspects of Senior Life issues - Health Care Directives
Durable power of attorney Allows you to appoint someone to see that doctors give you the type of care you want
Advanced directives When you are unable to direct your own medical care, this document allows the person appointed to direct your medical care
Key Aspects of Senior Life Issues – Long-Term Care Insurance
Insurance that provides for long-term care in a skilled nursing facilities, assisted living or home care.Cheaper when purchased earlier
Planning Ahead with Your Parents – communication, communication, communication!
Start planning before a crisis occursNever an easy conversationNeed to overcome your natural fear about “meddling in their affairs”.
Planning Ahead with Your Parents – communication, communication, communication
Conversation with your parents about the following topics:
Medical careFinancial affairsHousing plansAnd other arrangements
Planning Ahead with Your Parents – communication, communication, communication
Be sensitive, genuine, but direct Be supportive and not judgmentalAsk open ended questionsBe prepared to accept and respect your parents’ decisions and points of view Do not overwhelm them with lots of probing questions
Realistic Assessment of Care Needs
Number of issues need to be clarifiedDo your parents want to remain in their home as long as possible?Do they have long-term care insurance?In the event of a crisis, is there a family member available who can provide care for several months? How do you and your parents feel about their moving into your home?
Realistic Assessment of Care Needs
Do your parents live in a remote area or are there services available in the area?Do your parents have an updated will?How do they want to have health decisions made?Have they signed a health care directive?
Elder Care – a family and community affair
Care most often provided by women in the familyTry to find ways to share care giving tasks
Spouse assists with children or the aging parentOther relatives who can assistExplore FMLA as an optionExplore community resources that can be helpful
Elder Care – a family and community affair
Adult Protective Services (APS)IHSSSenior CentersMeals on WheelsVisiting Nurses AssociationEAP
Take care of each other
Emotional experiences of care giving
Role reversalSense of loss & gainPressure to provide all care needs Guilt about making decisions on placement
Take care of each other
Emotional experiences of care receiving
Roles ReversalSense of loss and gainFear of total dependencyAnxiety about placement
Take care of Each Other
Nurture your relationship Not the time to fix old wounds
Time to share memoriesFocus on the positives of the momentRealistic expectations
Take care of each other
Create opportunities for your parents to
care for you while you care for them
Resources
IBHcorp.com: WorkLifeAarp.org/families/caregivingMayoclinic.com/printSsa.gov: Social security AdministrationLocal resources: County Department of Social Services, Office on Aging, Senior Centers…EAP services