July 11, 2022
Question: I’m in my early 50’s and my parents are requiring more care; I want to be there for them, but I am still working and can’t retire yet. What resources are available for situations like this?
Answer: We feel for you. Start by looking down through this checklist - What Issues Should I Consider for My Aging Parents? This may unpack some items you haven’t yet considered.
Our founder, Amy Irvine, and her husband went through this last year with Brent’s mom. She offers up the following advice: “of course it depends on the type of care your parents need, but you may want to start by hiring a care manager. They may go by many different names, such as case manager, geriatric care manager, or Aging Life Care manager™. The majority of these individuals have a background in either social work or as a registered nurse.” We would recommend searching for someone like this at Find an Expert (aginglifecare.org) or your local Office for the Aging; these folks are in the know about the services available and can make referrals based on your parent’s needs. They can also often serve as advocates, which is often one of the most frustrating parts since we don’t always know the best way to advocate.
Additionally, the services you hire will likely depend on if your parents are in need of any of the activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, using the toilet, continence, transferring, or eating), and to what degree. There are basically four types of caregivers:
Home health aide (HHA)
Nursing assistant (CNA)
Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
Registered nurse (RN)
Each of these individuals has different education requirements and may meet different needs, so you may end up with more than one caregiver.
AARP has a good tool that provides you with some estimates on the cost associated with caregiving services: Long Term Care Cost Calculator (aarp.org). These costs vary based on the area your parents live in, so searching by zip code helps narrow that information down a bit from the national averages you often see.
We know this is a stressful time for you and your family; we understand that becoming a caregiver for aging parents can be a drain emotionally and can carry financial ramifications not just for your parents, but for you as the caregiving child. If you are working with a financial planner, reach out to them, they may be able to help guide you through this part of your journey in life.
Do your friends ask you financial questions?
Pass those questions on to us at AskRPG@rootedpg.com and we will feature them in our future newsletters.