Have you ever been in a position where you had to care for someone, or someone had to care for you? Was it a medical issue or recovering from an accident? Long-term or short-term? Was it a person, or was it a pet? Whatever, whoever, and whenever it was, the experience made you…you!
Many people must deal with caregiver situations, and most of the time, it is short-term by just helping someone recover from a medical procedure or temporary illness like hip replacement, knee replacement, or a broken bone that needs to heal.
Other caregiving occasions are for permanent illnesses that develop. This can be a much more taxing process, both physically and mentally. Dealing with oxygen machines, tracheotomy, IVs, COPD equipment, and other medical devices can be a daunting daily task. I speak from personal experience when, last year, my sweetie was in the hospital, and I had to take a leave of absence from the office to take care of her.
Slow chronic illnesses can be the most heartbreaking. ALS or Lou Gehrig disease, Alzheimer's/Dementia, Cancer, Crohn's Disease, and Cystic Fibrosis, to mention a few.
The caregiver often needs support because if the 'wheels come off your bus', the entire situation can crash. So, remember to take care of yourself too! Don't be bashful about asking for help. There are support groups for just about every illness you can think of. One good search engine to visit is https://myhealthteam.com, which lists over 50 communities providing help, mentoring, and support for patients and their caregivers.
Whatever caregiving situation you find yourself in, remember that you're not alone and that these life events make you...you!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's story about caring for his sweetie really hits home for me. Most people are surprised when they learn that nearly 54 million Americans are providing unpaid care to family members or friends, and about 61% of those caregivers are over age 50. If you're on Medicare and caring for someone, it's worth knowing that Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment like oxygen concentrators and hospital beds when prescribed by a doctor. Many people ask me, "Does Medicare cover home health aide services?" The answer is yes, but only if it's part-time skilled nursing care ordered by a physician.
Here's something else to think about: if you're caring for a spouse or parent while managing your own retirement, you might qualify for Social Security caregiver credits or be able to access your 401k funds early without the 10% penalty under certain hardship provisions. The Family and Medical Leave Act also protects your job if you need to take time off, though the leave is typically unpaid.
The key is planning ahead and knowing what resources are available. A little preparation today can make a big difference when life throws you that curveball tomorrow.