I care for Mom, but who will care for me?

Older Woman Thinking

Here’s a five-question quiz to take and share with friends. 1. What percentage of baby boomers think they will need long-term care (help with daily activities) as they age, and what percentage actually will need long-term care? 2. What percentage of long term care is provided by family or friends? 3. If there are seven potential (unpaid) family caregivers (age 45 to 64) for every person over 80 today, how many will there be in 30 years? 4. What percentage of baby boomers have no idea of the cost of home care or nursing care? 5. What percentage of baby boomers have enough funds saved to pay for their own long term care? Answers: 1. 36 percent and 70 percent 2. 80 percent 3. Three 4. 80 percent 5. 10 percent Based on two recently released studies, one by AARP and the second by Bankers Life and Casualty Company’s Center for a Secure Retirement, most boomers won’t have enough money to pay for their own care and will be far less able to rely on family and friends for help. ...

Making connections that can help

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Last year, five of the women on my block were caring for a surviving parent. The conversation at our neighborhood Halloween party and the chitchat while walking the dogs held a mix of frustration, concern and fear. “We are on month six of waiting for my mother-in-law’s Medicaid application to be approved.” “My dad in New York fell again and is in the hospital. I am heading back East tomorrow to get some things in place before he returns home.” “Mom’s doctor is now suggesting hospice.” Often in the midst of dealing with our parents’ set of issues, we lose sight of the fact that there are others having similar experiences. That’s what seemed so special about our neighborhood talks. In some way we were our own little support group, sharing situations and solutions, giving each other words of encouragement and a shoulder to cry on. All of us were in the same boat and somehow it was helpful to talk with someone going through similar circumstances. While some support groups can be...
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