For those of us that know, elder care can be as consuming as child care. So many of people are struggling to balance caring for their children, responsibilities at work, and long distance care coordination for aging parents (or loved ones), or traveling to their parents in a medical emergency. Welcome to the sandwich generation!
What is the Sandwich Generation?
The "Sandwich Generation" describes an adult child managing care or assistance to both ends of the age spectrum in their family. In many cases, this could mean adult children caring for their aging parents or relatives, while at the same time meeting the needs of their children and grandchildren. Does this describe you or someone you know?
As people are now living into their nineties and beyond with more frequency and families are living across the country from each other the stress associated with caring for an aging parent is tremendous.
Many people are finding their financial plan for retirement is 10 to 15 years too short. They are well into their post-retirement years and outliving their resources. Aging also increases the likelihood of developing certain types of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, Cancer, Diabetes or Cardiac/heart disease problems. These types of situations are changing from unique to usual.
What Can Those in the Sandwich Generation Do To Cope?
What to do when you are stuck in the middle of the family arc and hundreds of miles away from your elderly parents? You have to Find Help! This help can be in the form of electronic monitoring, home care, and planning.
Another good investment is to hire a Geriatric Care Manager who can meet your elder parents (and hopefully you) to conduct an assessment and put together a care plan with referral information.
You may retain this Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) to regularly visit your aging parents or elder relatives and accompany them to doctor appointments as needed. It also helps to earn about the resources: financial, social, medical, living facilities in your parent's area, and your area as well. Planning ahead is key.
Reputable Home Health happinesslifetime.com Care Agencies have professional Care Managers and offer free consultations to adult children with elderly parents. Additionally they can provide home health aides for as little as 12 hours a week (often covered by Long Term happinesslifetime.com Care Insurance).
These home health aides will assist with any personal care, appointments, provide companionship and transportation, and assist with the shopping, laundry and cooking. For anyone in the Sandwich Generation, a little help goes a long way to assure continued independence & safety for your aging parents and relatives & prolonged sanity for you.
James Jackson specializes in providing bocahomecareservices.com home care services in South Florida to seniors and families of the elderly. Our company ensures that families remain safe and independent in their homes.
No comments:
Post a Comment