5 Essential Steps for Family Caregivers
We started this series on Family Caregivers as the value of supporting the person needing care but highlighting the importance of the family members to a plan to assist the caregiver(s). Below are suggestions on how to start the feared conversation.
- Break the Ice and Start the Conversation
- Bring Together Your Team
- Coordination of Care Make a Care Plan
- Care for Your Loved One
- Care Plan for Yourself
Step #1 Break the ice and start the conversation
There’s No better time than now.
Ideally, having a family pow-wow early when not dealing with a crisis is best. And yes, I agree it isn’t easy and requires sensitivity and diplomacy. Remember, the person needing care deserves respect, dignity, and a sense of control over their care choices and future. Approach with diplomacy and love! If you wait to have these conversations, it can be challenging to make decisions when the unexpected happens, and you are operating in a fight or flight & stress-induced response.
Ask your loved ones about their care, health, and financial wishes.
Do not wait for an accident or a crisis when decisions aren’t clearly defined, and mistakes are possible.
Plan for a positive opening.
Share an experience of a friend’s real-life story or discuss a family member’s experiences with caregiving. Or perhaps you can relate to a person, a local story, or a recent news event. Share your plans to prepare for your aging process. Be your best example. Because medical technology allows for longer and more fruitful lives, the need for a Care Plan is more significant as we age. The need for care is imminent for most of us.
Be persistent yet respectful: Keep trying.
It is hard to ask for help because we all love independence. There may be resistance once the plan goes into effect. Understand that it’s hard to give up control of one’s life. Make small offers first, and be realistic about the extent of your willingness or capability to help.
Do not avoid the dreadful question of money.
Ask whether there is a Long-Term Care insurance policy or special funds earmarked to cover the cost of care. The reality is that Health insurance and Medicare provide coverage for immediate and acute medical services but not care for Activities of Daily Living (ADL). ADL: Personal care for bathing or showering, dressing, getting in and out of bed or a chair, walking, using the toilet, and eating. This can be the biggest challenge for caregivers.
Gather a team of care and support into the conversation.
Choose interested family members and well-respected friends. Be prepared for disagreements and conflicts but listen and discuss potential pitfalls that can derail your Care Plan.
Next Week We Will Talk About Building Your Caregiving Team.
Caring for others may become a necessity, but so is also caring for yourself.
To learn more about how long-term care insurance can help prepare you or your family, contact me for a free quote Eleonore.Weber@YourLifeSecurity.com
Share these and your ideas with your neighbors, family, and friends.
All the best,
Eleonore Weber, CLTC
Founder, Author, Broker & Certified Long-Term Care Specialist:
Life Planning Solutions:
Health, Disability, Life, Long-Term Care & Medicare Insurance
Coming soon! —–> Your Family’s Essential Resource Workbook: How to Gather and Organize Valuable Documents
The workbook design has three essential sections to keep your loved ones informed when necessary- “Yourself,” Your Loved Ones,” and “Your Legacy.”
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