Americans spend around $158 billion each year on in-home and nursing care for older adults. Still, this amount is only half of what it costs Americans to take care of elderly parents at home.
But, for most people, taking care of elderly parents isn’t just a line item on the household budget. The comfort of knowing a loved one is properly cared for outweighs the added expense.
If you have aging parents, take a look at these 5 tips on how to prepare for their care.
1. Don’t Quit Your Job
Unless you’re close to retirement or independently wealthy, quitting your job isn’t the best option when you’re taking in an aging parent. Though you might want to give your parents your full attention, it could mean sacrificing the financial resources you need to take care of them.
Consider whether your career will be waiting for you down the road if you decide to work again. Are opportunities limited or abundant for work in your field?
Is there an opportunity to work remotely instead of quitting cold turkey? These questions will help you make a decision that works best for both the short term and long term.
2. Create a Caregiving Budget
It’s difficult to put a price tag on the care of a loved one. But to avoid being stretched too far financially, create a caregiving budget that includes the expenses you’re taking on to care for your loved one.
Include any financial resources they are bringing to the table as income. This will give you a realistic look at whether you can afford to take care of your parents or need additional support from other places like siblings or public assistance.
3. Ask About Medicare
Healthcare programs like Medicare can help provide the support you need to keep your parents in top health as they age. But it’s important to understand what costs are your responsibility and which are covered by their Medicare plan.
Taking care of elderly parents at home means knowing where to get help when you need it and how much it will cost.
4. Include Your Parent in Decision Making
Even if you’re covering all the costs it’s a great idea to include your parents in any decisions made about their future. This is especially important if your parents are independent and haven’t expressed interest in having you take on responsibility for their wellbeing.
The conversation will likely be uncomfortable, but necessary since you can’t force them to make choices they don’t want to make.
5. Get Help
There are times when you’ll need to accept professional help when taking care of elderly parents. If your work or family schedule gets hectic or a parent falls ill, you need backup resources to make sure your loved ones are taken care of.
Choosing the right care program is easy when you plan ahead and know exactly how much help you can afford to get.
Taking Care of Elderly Loved Ones
Taking care of elderly loved ones means making major lifestyle changes. Be flexible and make sure your spouse is on board with the changes.
You don’t want to put a strain on your family by not discussing the details of how the new arrangement will impact your household. For more information and family tips, check our blog for updates.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
[…] short, people are aging, and the process is not easy or pain-free. Therefore, your elderly parents, and loved ones must be given the attention and care they require to have a comfortable […]