The Love-Hate-Love Caregiving Conundrum

AARP 2015 study shows an estimated 43.5 million adults in the U.S.have provided unpaid care to an adult or a child in the prior 12 months. That's 1 in 7 households in the entire U.S.  I am almost 65 taking care of an 83 year old mom who has had 2 knees and a shoulder replaced so far due to crippling arthritis.  She doesn't cook (unless you count egg salad) and is not steady on her feet.  I love her but sometimes I hate (strong word I know) the situation.  I love her but hate that her husband did not provide for her financially.  I love her but hate that she allowed him to spend almost all of her money before he died.  I love her but hate that she just shrugs her shoulders about the situation we are in and believes that some miracle will come along and make it all OK.

Long-Term Care is real.  It is not a "concept."  We are living longer and 3 out of 5 households will have someone who needs care before they go to the great beyond.  Are you going to be that 80 year old who tries to take care of your 85 year old spouse who can't get to the bathroom on their own?

I've been showing families how to solve this caregiving conundrum for over 25 years and there are more options now than ever.  Do you want to be the caregiver or the head nurse who directs the caregiver you hire?  Stay in the "love zone" and buy long-term care insurance for yourself and your parents while you can still qualify. There is no charge for looking at options.