Aging Unbound: A Multi-Part Caregiver Resource Guide
With advancing technology and ever-evolving science, it is no secret that we are living longer. As our elderly loved ones continue to get older, we want to be sure we are helping them through the aging process as smoothly and as painlessly as possible – not only for their sake, but for ourselves as caregivers.
Being a caregiver to an elder is a job many people in the world will have to undertake at some point in their lives. Unlike a typical career, there is often no mentor guiding you through the steps of your new profession and no handbook given to you the moment you assume the position.
We understand the need for a comprehensive caregiver guide in order for you to best assist your elderly loved one and to take care of yourself along the way. In a multi-part blog series, we hope to provide resources to caregivers offering the services and information needed to ease the often overwhelming pressure associated with the caregiver role.
May 2023 marks the 60th Anniversary of Older Americans Month and this year's designated theme is Aging Unbound, which offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences. Watch for blog posts in the coming weeks connected to this caregiver resource guide series. Topics include:
- Finding home – choosing the best type of housing assistance or senior care facility for your elderly loved one;
- Community support through care services for aging adults and their families;
- COVID-era convenience – the at-home services that make elderly lives easier and other available legal services to assist you in the caregiver role.
In “Finding home – choosing the best type of housing assistance or senior care facility for your elderly loved one,” we analyze the differences between facility types (e.g., nursing homes, adult foster care homes, homes for the aged, assisted living facilities, elder communities, hospice centers, and in-home care) and discuss the benefits of housing assistance or senior centers. We hope to provide the necessary materials to help caregivers and elders make the best decision for their needs, safety, and comfort when choosing a new home setting.
In “Community support through care services for aging adults and their families,” we explore the various care services available for seniors and their caregivers. Educational, recreational, financial, and supportive services are available to build a community for your elderly loved one and assist in finding resources for those in the caregiver role.
Though COVID-19 did not create at-home delivery services, the pandemic reinvigorated the need for seniors to stay safe and healthy, while also having access to their basic needs. In “COVID-era convenience – the at-home services that make elderly lives easier,” we offer information related to food delivery services (paid and government-sponsored), medication delivery services, and transportation programs. We also discuss the benefits of at-home health aides if the senior in your life can independently live at home but needs an extra hand with daily activities. We hope this resource continues to keep the elderly well and attended to. These services can provide a helping hand for elders as they age in any circumstance.
In this installment in the series, we will also discuss “available legal services to assist you in the caregiver role” which outlines the services we provide at Foster Swift that can give you and your elderly loved one an inclusive plan. From tax preparation services to estate-planning, this blog post details the need for comprehensive end-of-life documentation.
We look forward to offering you a caregiver resource guide for you and the senior you care for. If you have concerns about an aging family member’s well-being and feel it may require intervention, contact a Foster Swift elder law attorney for advice.
Categories: Dementia & Alzheimer's, Elder Law, Financing Long-term Care, Long-Term Care
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Survivor's Checklist
Due to the shock of the death of a spouse or a loved one, the steps of what needs to be done first can be an overwhelming process for the survivor(s). To aid in the breakdown and to act as a tool amidst the emotional days ahead, estate planning Jonathan "Jay" David has assembled a "Survivor's Checklist" of some of the important things that need to be addressed when a spouse or loved one dies.
Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone: A Comprehensive Guide (2024)
Below is a comprehensive guide of resources for older adults living alone, empowering them to thrive independently and access essential services. This guide was created and provided with permission by the National Council on Aging (NCOA).
Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone: A Comprehensive Guide (2024) (ncoa.org)
COVID-19 Checklist & Elder Organizer Tool
For adult children responsible for their elderly parents and other senior caretakers concerned about protecting loved ones as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, below is a free downloadable checklist of steps to follow to prepare for any possible COVID-19-related illnesses among the most-vulnerable.
Foster Swift has created a free ‘Elder Organizer’ digital notebook to provide seniors and their caretakers with a toolkit that helps organize doctors’ appointments, medications, and more that can be shared online. The tools below are also available on the Elder Law Resources page.
*For those trying to access these links by smartphone, it is best practice to copy/open the link in a separate tab and download the free Google Sheets app from Google Play or the Apple Store.
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E-book Covers Estate Planning Essentials
Engaging in estate planning, while essential, is often emotional and generates many questions. How do I protect my spouse and my children if something happens to me? What happens if I become disabled before I pass on? Who will take care of my pet after I'm gone? How do I pass my business on to my children? These questions and more are addressed in Jonathan David’s recently updated e-book, “Estate Planning: You Have to Start in Order to Finish.”
Need Help Planning?
For more tools, visit our Elder Law Resource page for additional content. Click here to view/download the Foster Swift estate planning brochure to see what our experienced team of attorneys can do for you.