Being a caregiver is one of the most important and personally rewarding roles a person will play in their lifetime. As we see families grow and adapt to outside influences, we see many children taking up the task of caring for their family members. In fact...
Most families will have one or more members who will need care in their lifetime - and it is usually assumed another family member will take up the mantle as caregiver. Typically, we become caregivers via 2 routes:
1. Phone call route due to a sudden emergency or issue
2. Slow decline route as family member succumbs to dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or another physical or mental decline
There are wonderful things that can come out of caregiving, but it's important to recognize that it can be one of the most stressful transitions in our lives. Many times, we're in survival mode and it's difficult to identify what we need help with - even with people offer. The above tool - The Caregiving Task Planner - was designed to assist you in better managing the practical implications of caregiving so that you can take better care of yourself.
For most of us, dealing with a caregiving situation can be an overwhelming experience. It is not only fraught with emotion; it can be confusing and complex when it comes to making decisions. What kind of care does my loved one need? Where can that care be provided? And by whom?
Well-meaning professionals often use jargon that is unfamiliar and terminology can differ, depending on where you live.
Spectrum of Care Tool
This tool provides a list of the types of care offered, along with a simple explanation of what the care entails. It also outlines the options available as to where the care can be provided and by whom. Multiple types of care can be provided in a variety of settings.
People may need to:
The above may impact:
The following charts show different costs for care:
You need to take care of every single stage in your life and adequately plan for each transition.
People forget to build a cost of care into their plan because:
Whether you have parents who may need care at one point, or you yourself want to ensure your plans for care are planned out beforehand, our team is ready to help with an extended team of professionals ready to answer all of your questions! Putting a care plan in place for the future can be a difficult discussion with family members, but the better prepared you are now, the less stress other will feel when the time for caregiving comes.