Oftentimes, due to old age, progressive conditions, or sudden accidents, adults can find themselves in need of a little extra help. Oftentimes, out of necessity, the responsibility of providing this help and becoming a caregiver falls on those closest to them.
Nationally, nearly one out of four households are involved in caregiving, and more than eighty-five percent of long-term care is provided by unpaid family caregivers. In New Hampshire alone, over 170,000 citizens provide informal care to another person – that’s more than one in eight people.
Conversations about needing care and giving care can be difficult to have. Much like estate planning in general, it is not something anyone enjoys thinking about and admitting that we need help is sometimes the hardest thing for people to do.
This holiday season, take the time to talk with your elder loved ones about their care needs. There are certainly challenges to having this discussion, both generally and especially during this time of year. The holiday season can leave some people feeling isolated, especially when reminiscing about loved ones who may no longer be with us. This may cause them to withdraw or shrug off offers to help. Take note of their well-being and their attitude, and do your best to exercise empathy. Remember – they have been in the role of caregiver, provider, and problem-solver for most of their lives, and giving up that frame of thinking, recognizing and admitting that they need help, and being willing to accept that help can be a very difficult thing to do.
Because of this, your loved ones may need a little encouragement and a little time to talk seriously about what their needs might be. Encourage them to talk with not only you but their other family and friends about their wishes and their well-being so that everyone is on the same page. This can help to minimize stress when it is time to make caregiving decisions.
How can powers of attorney help? An important element in any caregiver plan is the utilization of powers of attorney. Having effective healthcare and financial powers of attorney in place allows for a person’s loved ones to make important care decisions for them without having to go to court to obtain a guardianship, a process which not only is extremely stressful, but also takes considerable time and resources. A discussion with an elder law or estate planning attorney can help to bring additional clarity to what steps you can take to make sure your loved ones are taken care of.
Holidays can be a difficult time for caregivers. As a reminder to caregivers who may feel stressed or who feel as though they are alone taking on this physically and emotionally demanding role: You are not alone. Take one step at a time and know that the Curtin Law Office is here for you and your family, to help answer questions and identify what works best for your situation. In addition, there are resources available to caregivers in need.
The National Family Caregiver Support Program, through New Hampshire’s Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services and the New Hampshire ServiceLink Resource Center, provides the following services and resources for all caregivers over the age of 18:
- Assistance in assessing individual caregiving needs;
- Help in identifying options;
- Help to access local providers;
- Individual counseling and support groups;
- Online and in-person education, guides, and training for caregiving skills;
- Respite services;
- Supplemental chore services, equipment, home modifications, and transportation services; and
- Other information about local community programs and resources.
These state resources can be found at the New Hampshire ServiceLink website. Further support can also be found by calling the National Caregiver Support Line (toll free) at 1(855)260-3274.