Are you in an infrequent caregiver role?

In other words, do you help a family member or friend occasionally, doing small errands or stopping by every now and again to help with something in their home? You may consider these efforts to be just another part of life – being neighborly or a “good” adult-child. A society is nothing without the altruistic fabric of helping others out in times of need.

On the other hand, some situations that start out as occasional, can slip into something more frequent and it’s helpful to be conscious of how your efforts evolve into a larger role.

You may want to formalize your role as a caregiver (which can have benefits for your own tax right-offs) or maintain a role where you’re helping out now and again. Either way, it is important that you define your role.

1 in 5 adults, age 51 and over, may find themselves in an informal caregiving role – whether it’s for a neighbor, friend, family member or spouse. Informal caregiving is an unpaid activity and can begin as a temporary series of favors but might turn into a longer, larger situation of assistance. Many people “accidentally” come into a role of caregiving, don’t recognize how much effort they are putting into the role and then end up having mixed feelings about the situation.

Additionally, as your role as a caregiver evolves, you may need outside services that offer support. These resources are often unknown or don’t exist in a way that can meet your immediate needs. It’s important to understand the ways in which your efforts can be supported or even nurtured.

Below are some very basic resources and information to get you started and help you better define how you can help an individual if asked to caregive for them.

PLEASE NOTE, THE FOLLOWING EXTERNAL LINKS & RESOURCES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE:

Medicare Part A

What Medicare Part A Covers

Administration on Aging

http://www.aoa.gov/

Americans with Disabilities Act

http://www.ada.gov/

Area Agency on Aging

https://www.agingcare.com/local/Area-Agency-on-Aging

If you have any question, Broad Street would be pleased to help.

Our home care services include Personal Assistants who can offer respite care or companionship. The Broad Street team’s larger professional network includes most high quality health service providers. We can offer a complete support option or plug in to your current network.