New Care Givers - Part 2

As noted in our previous post, if you're just starting out as a family caregiver, it's hard to know where to begin. Here are two initial steps you might consider taking:

1. Start with a diagnosis.  If your loved-one is going through a noticeable personality change, has become more forgetful, or seems consistently out-of-sorts, take them to a physician.
2. Talk with your loved-one about their situation, health, financial circumstances and health-care wishes or expectations. If he or she is able to complete a Durable Power of Attorney for finances and healthcare, assist them in meeting with an elder law specialist to create these documents.

Are You a New Caregiver?

Recent statistics indicate almost one-quarter of American households provide care to relatives or friends age 50 or older.

If you're just starting out as a family caregiver, it's hard to know where to begin. Perhaps you've only recently realized that a loved one needs assistance, and is no longer as self-sufficient as he or she once was; or perhaps there has been a sudden change in a loved-one's health.

If so, it's time to consider and take certain action steps.

You might begin by taking stock of the people, services and information that will help you care for your loved one. The earlier you find support, the better.

 

We will share additional ideas for new caregivers over the next few posts.

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