Plan ahead for the personal and financial realities of caring for an aging loved one
by
- Posted on Mar 14, 2019
Sara Powers, PhD is a Research Scientist with the Center for Research and Education at Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging
It is not unusual to plan years ahead when it comes to tackling major life goals like purchasing a home, paying for a wedding or budgeting for our children’s education. We take into consideration how best to put money aside, what needs to happen in order to do so, and what the impact will be on each person in our family. However, we often do not give the same careful thought to planning for future caregiving needs. This can be to our detriment, given that over 34 million Americans provide unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older. Rather than allowing a crisis to occur before we put caregiving plans in place, there is much we can do early on to give us a greater sense of peace when these needs arise.
In the midst of such a crisis, we may find ourselves scrambling to figure out care options. This may increase family conflict, as well as emotional and physical stress for everyone involved. When planning for your future caregiving responsibilities, or preparing your loved ones to take on your own care as you age, it will benefit everyone to talk openly about finances, priorities, values and preferences.This is the best way to arrive at a caregiving plan that works.
Prepare yourself for the financial realities of caregiving.
According to a 2016 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report, on average, families can expect to pay $6,844 per month for a semi-private room in a nursing home, $7,698 per month for a private room in a nursing home, and $3,628 per month for care in a one-bedroom assisted living facility. Even with a long-term care policy in place, care can be very costly. These policies can also be confusing. Loopholes have led to elder fraud cases throughout the country, so make sure to scan any policy to ensure that you receive all promised benefits.
Because monthly long-term care costs are unaffordable for many Americans, providing at-home care is often a better option, both in terms of money and because most older adults prefer to stay at home. If that is your choice, however, make sure to consider those potential costs, as well. According to a 2016 AARP study, it was estimated that family caregivers, on average, spend around 20 percent of their annual income, or $6,954, on out-of-pocket costs related to their caregiving responsibilities. Out-of-pocket costs increased even further for long-distance caregivers, and averaged $11,923 per year. In order to adequately budget for your family’s possible caregiving needs in the years to come, keep in mind the following typical costs and scenarios:
It’s a good idea to open up conversations about how much time or money each family member would be willing to contribute, which can help put you on the road to getting a successful plan in place.
Share your values and preferences.
My first caregiving experience unexpectedly began in my mid-twenties when my 57-year-old mother was diagnosed with cancer. Up until that point, I felt very unprepared for the day when my parents might get sick or could no longer take care of themselves. It was at that moment I realized just how necessary it is to talk to your family about current and future caregiving plans.
It is crucial for everyone in the family to be involved in discussions about care preferences and personal values. This should include those who may be providing care, as well as those who may be receiving it. Because this subject can be challenging, follow these useful tips:
At the forefront of every conversation about caregiving should be your loved one’s values, priorities and preferences. It is never too early to start planning. Putting the effort in now will likely help you all to breathe easier in the future.
For further information on how to create a caregiving plan, visit the following resources: