Do you understand your role as a Family Caregiver?
By Asha Florence Mungal
Are you ready to be a Family Caregiver for your loved one? This answer should not just be from a financial perspective, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
It started with the once-a-week check ins, then to light housekeeping on the weekend. You now provide meals for the week or stop by after work to prepare dinner. It’s not a big deal, because this is your mom. You happen to notice lots of old food in the refrigerator, whilst your mind plays tricks on you, because you are almost certain that’s the same dress mom had on since earlier in the week.
You don’t live close by, your job requires long hours, the children must be dropped and picked up from school and lessons, and weekends you are juggling getting your house cleaned, errands done and still trying to fit in assisting mom. How’s that been working out for you so far?
Your siblings live close by or maybe far away, but they are too busy to check in on mom. The ones overseas are constantly calling to find out what is happening. You don’t have an active update so you try to babble off the top of your head. You get irritated because you feel as if they are constantly grilling you for answers.
You realise that you now have more to add to your plate in providing care for mom. You can’t be in too many places at the same time, receiving little to zero support. What do you do? You can’t afford to pay for a Caregiver, you can’t afford to place mom in a senior facility, because she can still do a lot on her own and. if she did need it, who’s paying for it? What’s your next step?
This is a real-life scenario. Now is the time to understand your role and if you are prepared and equipped to handle caring for a loved one. Many of us are an only child, so in this case the responsibility is yours, whether you are ready or not.
Key questions to ask yourself:
- If something should happen to my parent, who is going to care for them?
- Am I ready to take on this role? If yes, what are my limitations?
- If I take on this responsibility, what lifestyle changes would I need to make? What are the financial obligations associated with caring for a parent? Medication, doctor appointments, Pampers, wheelchair, hospital fees, surgery, physiotherapy, doctor house calls. The list can go on depending on the level of care required.
- Start a conversation with your siblings. How would costs be split up? Who amongst the siblings would be the primary caregiver, especially if everyone lives overseas?
- Does my parent have savings? If yes, conversation about a joint account is needed.
- Do they collect a pension? If yes, how much?
- Power of Attorney if needed, How do I put a Power of Attorney in place, if needed?
- Is there a will/deed in place?
- Funeral expenses—how would the cost be covered? By whom?
- Life insurance is there a beneficiary? Or is it the estate? Who continues to pay the premiums?
- Medical insurance-who continues to pay the premiums?
- Do you have the support of your spouse/children?
- Do you have the support of your siblings?
- If your parent must live with you, do you have a spare roo Can it be easily converted to being senior ready, e.g. with wheelchair ramp, handrails etc.
- What is the cost of In-Home Caregiving Services?
- What is the monthly cost for a Senior Facility?
- Would you be able to balance work, life, caring and self?
For more information email: caregiversgrouptt@gmail.com