Sandwiched Generation

Posted on | December 15, 2011

I know of a family who is raising a young teenage girl while taking care of two sets of parents.  This couple waited until their careers were established before she became pregnant so, consequently their daughter will graduate high school when they are in their late fifties.

One set of Grandparents are in good health – physically, but Grandma is in moderate stage Alzheimer’s and her husband (8 years her senior) is experiencing dementia due to advanced age.  These folks were hard-working, cautious, savers whose annual incomes were average.   The need to provide round the clock care for Grandma made it necessary to sell their home in 2007 and they moved into an Assisted Living community.  His “home health care” is far less costly than hers but their monthly room & board with escalating care levels is currently $5775.00.   This, without a major physical health challenge for either of them- thankfully.

The other set of Grandparents are younger, earned above average incomes during their working lives and are accustomed to “the finer things.” Despite retiring 17 years ago, and with fixed incomes and conservative portfolios, Grandma overspends.  Grandpa indulges his wife of 49 years, seeming to look the other way without dealing with the problem. The “kids” have had to step in to help them obtain debt consolidation loans yet Grandma continues to purchase unneeded large ticket items and their home, like so many, has decreased in value.  Neither Grandma nor Grandpa seems willing to address the retail therapy she is engaged in.

The fifty-something kids are struggling to save for their daughter’s college, help their folks’ with assisted living expenses and get the other folks out of their occasional financial jams.  Retirement savings – something they were so smart about in the early days has seen little activity in recent years.   This Baby Boomer couple is trying to keep their spirits up while simultaneously worrying about the all their parents’ welfare, and the future while trying to keep their teenage daughter from the reality of this trying situation.

Do you have experiences to share, or insight to provide other readers who are living through a similar  “sandwiched” experience?  Silver Census welcomes your comments!

About the Author:

Terry Lynne Hale has over 30 years of sales, marketing, writing, research and training experience in a variety of industries. Terry thrives on sharing information and credits many authors with being instrumental in developing the person she is today.  Passions include family, the Internet, pets, the planet, the Internet, writing, the Internet, publishing, the Internet, marketing, and the Internet.  Her never-ending quest for learning led her to explore WWW after buying her first computer in 1995.  Naturally, she wanted to share her enthusiasm for the internet with others.  Her training and writing background fueled the passion that led her to write and publish her first eBook, Ageless Internet -Internet BASICS for Boomers and Seniors.  It’s a simplified guide to the World Wide Web and is available for immediate download through Amazon or in all formats on Ageless Internet.

Terry’s experience sourcing and locating independent and assisted living for her parents was the beginning of her exploration into care giving and elder care issues.  Subsequent assistance finding housing for loved ones of friends and family has cemented her interest in Boomer and Senior care.  Terryis committed to getting the word out that it is possible – even preferable, to begin a search for this kind of housing via the Internet, thus her new position as Boomer Care Adviser for SilverCensus.  With an invaluable resource like SilverCensus offering  Free Placement Assistance for Home Careand Assisted Living, your efforts are streamlined, and you save time and money.

SilverCensus is an unbiased senior living and health services resource where consumers are educated on options, facilities & rights. Our services are completely free for seniors and their caregivers as well as Hospital Case Managers & Social Workers who are committed to proper discharge. Clients includeassisted living residences, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing homes, home health care agencies, HUD senior housing & independent living communities. We also provide  VA Aid & Attendance assistance for qualified Veterans and their spouses.  Our Care Managers are available at                                    888-776-1311                   or through the web at: http://www.SilverCensus.com.

Paying for Long Term Care Doesn’t Need to Be Problem

Posted on | November 10, 2011

The time to seriously consider your long-term care needs has come. On Oct. 14, 2011, the U.S. Government abandoned the CLASS Act (Community Living Assistance Services and Supports), a public option for long-term care coverage championed by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Explaining why the government was unable to financially sustain the CLASS Act, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius wrote on the Huffington Post that by 2020, an estimated 15 million Americans will need some kind of long-term care.

“And at $75,000 a year for a nursing home and $18,000 a year for home health care, most families cannot afford to pay out of pocket,” Sebelius wrote.

The need is still there – one in seven Americans will need long-term care – but the government support is not. If, like many Americans, you’re assuming Medicare will cover your long-term care needs, it offers limited protection at best.

Where the public sector failed, the private sector can help. If you would like more information or education regarding your long term needs or receive a free long term care insurance guide please call 888-233-7963!

LTC Financial Partners, LLC is one of the nation’s most experienced Long Term Care agencies. Our passion is to provide our clients with the best long term care insurance options to meet their needs. We do this by offering clients an array of products from leading insurance carriers. Each producing agent earns the same commission no matter which insurance company is chosen. This way our clients know that our agent has objectively selected the company that meets their needs. We are domiciled in Washington.

Healthy Aging Starts with Eating Right

Posted on | November 9, 2011

Did you know that eating healthy makes you healthier? How many of us wake up at 6:00am to get to work on time or get the kids off to school and make that nice big cup of coffee and think that’s going to hold you over until lunch time six hours later? Eating a healthy breakfast of more whole grains has been shown to lower your bad cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and prevent heart disease. I think the best advice I can give you for changing your diet is to try to eat foods that have been processed as little as possible. This is true with grains or cereals. For instance, if you are going to have cereal for breakfast, the more basic the cereal is the better. Oatmeal and shredded wheat are better than Cheerios, which are better than corn flakes. All of these are better than Frosted Flakes or Fruit Loops.  Whole wheat pasta is another easy change to make, and you’ll find that it gives a whole new flavor to your pasta dishes.

Choosing a weekly meal plan before doing you do your grocery shopping will save you money and help you control your health and diet. You should not eat any large meals after 7:00 pm since the food does not get digested before you go to sleep. Fresh ingredients make for healthier meals. Whenever you can, use the highest quality ingredients for your recipes. The flavor will always come through in your finished dish. Eat heather and enjoy a happy life.

About the Author:

Chef Trev is a gourmet chef providing healthy meals for seniors who wish to live at home in South Florida. Working with Nightingale Private Care in Hobe Sound, Florida, Chef Trev along with the Nightingale Private Care staff provide quality in-home care services allowing seniors to age in place. Serving residents of Martin, Palm Beach, Indian River and Palm Beach Counties, Nightingale offers affordable in-home senior care.  Call today to see how Nightgale Private Home Care can help you or a loved one 1-877-391-2548.

Family Caregivers – National Caregivers Month

Posted on | November 9, 2011

Debbie turned the ringing alarm off. It was 6:00AM and time to get herself ready for the day. Her son would be there soon to help her shower and dress her husband Jim. Her son came every day before work to help because Debbie, at 75 years old and suffering with arthritis, could not lift Jim out of bed or help him to the shower. This has been the daily routine since Jim’s stroke a year ago. When her son leaves for work, Debbie spends the day caring for Jim’s needs.

President Barack Obama, in his Presidential Proclamation of National Family Caregivers Month -2011 states:

“Across our country, millions of family members, neighbors, and friends provide care and support for their loved ones during times of need. With profound compassion and selflessness, these caregivers sustain American men, women, and children at their most vulnerable moments, and through their devoted acts, they exemplify the best of the American spirit.”

Statistics from the Administration On Aging show that the population 65 and older is expected to grow from its current 13% to 19% of the total population by 2030. With the older population increasing, the need for elder caregiving will continue to increase. Family caregivers play a vital role in filling these caregiving needs. Who better than family can understand the needs and ensure the best care of their loved ones.

Caregiving can be very stressful and demanding. In the case of a healthy spouse or a child living with the disabled person at home, caregiving can be a 24 hour, 7 day a week commitment. But even for the caregiver not living in the home, looking after a loved one or friend can consume all of the caregiver’s free time.

Surveys and studies consistently show that depression is a major problem with full-time informal caregivers. This is typically brought on by stress and fatigue as well as social isolation from family and friends. If allowed to go on too long, the caregiver can sometimes break down and may end up needing long term care as well.

A typical pattern may unfold as follows:

1 to 18 months–the caregiver is confident, has everything under control and is coping well. Other friends and family are lending support.

20 to 36 months–the caregiver is taking medication to sleep and control mood swings. Outside help dwindles away and except for trips to the store or doctor, the caregiver has severed most social contacts. The caregiver feels alone and helpless.

38 to 50 months–Besides needing tranquilizers or antidepressants, the caregiver’s physical health is beginning to deteriorate.  Lack of focus and sheer fatigue cloud judgment and the caregiver is often unable to make rational decisions or ask for help.  It is often at this stage that family or friends intercede and find other solutions for care.  This may include respite care, hiring home health aides or putting the disabled care recipient in a facility.  Without intervention, the family caregiver may become a candidate for long term care as well.

Since most family members go into informal caregiving without training or counseling, they often aren’t aware of the possible outcome described above. It is therefore extremely important to seek counseling and to formulate a plan of action prior to making a caregiving commitment.

According to the National Care Planning Council:

” In 1965, Congress passed the Older Americans Act which provides guidance and funding to the States to give help to caregivers. All states offer programs at no cost or very low cost which might include: counseling, caregiver training, respite care, adult day care, meals, support groups and much, much more. It is vital for the health and longevity of all caregivers to make use of these services.” (www.longtermcarelink.net)

In 1994 President Clinton proclaimed a week in November as National Family Caregivers week to be observed with appropriate programs and activities.  It has since been changed to the whole month of November with each President giving a yearly proclamation for its observance.

Government assistance is available all over the country.  Area Agencies on Aging and local senior centers give aid and support to family caregivers.  Numerous religious and community organizations also lend their support.

This month of November 2011, as individuals, we can take note of those around us, in our families and community, who are family caregivers.  A note of acknowledgement of their service, a gift of thanks or even an offering of our time to give them a needed break would let them know their service is recognized and appreciated.

LTC Financial Partners, LLC is one of the nation’s most experienced Long Term Care agencies. Our passion is to provide our clients with the best long term care insurance options to meet their needs. We do this by offering clients an array of products from leading insurance carriers. Each producing agent earns the same commission no matter which insurance company is chosen. This way our clients know that our agent has objectively selected the company that meets their needs. We are domiciled in Washington.