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.
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.