The holidays are known for being a special time for family get-togethers to reconnect with loved ones and old friends. Many family caregivers, however, struggle between the lofty notion of bygone holidays recreated and the current reality of whether this is really in the best interest of their aging parent(s) – or frankly,...
Who’s Watching Your Mom?
Written by Lauren Langevin, Co-Owner, Home Instead Senior Care, North Dartmouth, MA
Would you leave a complete stranger alone in your home when you are not there? Of course not. Yet every day, family members allow complete strangers unsupervised access into their parents’ homes to provide in-home care services...
What is a Caregiver Contract and how can it be beneficial?
A caregiver contract is an agreement that ensures that caregivers are protected and the family members who are involved in elder care fully understand all expectations and responsibilities of the caregiver. A caregiver contract may also be referred to as a personal care agreement.
Millions of Americans are currently...
The Future of Caregiving – Things to Consider
Written by Barbara Cannon, LSW, CMC, owner of Answers for Elders
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As we continue to watch the population of boomers explode over the next 10 years we are already observing the crunch of seniors finding professional as well as personal caregivers to help them through the senior years.
National Family Caregivers Month
The month of November is known as National Family Caregiver month and we want to recognize all the wonderful things that caregivers do. Family caregivers provide care of their spouses, parents and/or grandparents. They also provide love and support to these individuals. Typically, they are not trained and sometimes have full time...
AgingCare Article: Compassion Fatigue: When Caregivers Go Beyond Burnout
Most caregivers experience times when the fatigue and frustration of providing care for a loved one can border on caregiver burnout. Even though I’ve handled caring for multiple elders and their unique needs reasonably well, there have been moments when I’ve wondered how much longer I could keep it up.
The Sandwich Generation: How to manage if you find yourself here
Did you know that a staggering 47% of adults in their 40s/50s are providing care to a parent 65 + years old while also raising their own small child or helping to support their young adult child? This increasingly common group has been coined the “sandwich generation” to describe adult children who...
ElderLaw Answers Article: Caregiver Contracts: How to Pay a Family Member for Care
Although people are willing to voluntarily care for a parent or loved one without any promise of compensation, entering into a caregiver contract (also called personal service or personal care agreement) with a family member can have many benefits. It rewards the family member doing the work. It can help alleviate tension between family members by...
The Importance of Dotting Your “i”s and Crossing Your “t”s in Care Agreements
A New York appeals court case illustrates why it is very important to have properly drafted and properly implemented care contract when an elder is paying a family member for services. The Court ruled that a Medicaid applicant who transferred money to his daughter and son-in-law under a personal service agreement made...
AARP Article: 10 Tips for Caregivers During the Holidays
Feeling stressed? Reset your expectations and enjoy the little moments
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by Amy Goyer
For some family caregivers, the holidays can be a joyful time when spirits are lighter. It feels good to care for loved ones and enjoy time together, celebrating with family traditions. But for...