Can We Afford Eldercare? How Family Can Influence the Discussion ...

Posted by Pittsburgh Healthcare Report on Aug 2, 2012 in Boomers, Long-Term Care | 0 comments

By Karen Schaeffer, Eldercare Consultant with Age & Dignity Consulting, LLC

Money issues are always of paramount concern when an eldercare discussion?begins. The presumed cost of eldercare can frequently frighten a family from any?type of action?even when action is necessary for the safety and well-being of their?aging loved one. In addition, poor communication, rumor and assumptions, and a?generalized lack of eldercare knowledge frequently undermines the process?well?before an effective eldercare solution can be formulated. Add in a heavy dose of?family conflict, and solutions can be stalled, fought over, or avoided. Avoidance of?the topic can prove to be even more costly, as delays in quality care often?compromise the safety and well-being of the senior.

The topics of money and the cost of eldercare?need to be addressed?and often the discussion?starts around the parent?s kitchen table. However, a?generalized uneasiness is often present when an?adult child is forced to discuss money issues with a?parent. Children, regardless of age, are often not?privy to their parent?s financial balance sheet.?Parents frequently do not share their income or?financial portfolio with their adult children, so?assumptions are often made that may not be?accurate. Mom and Dad could have lived a modest?life and now have substantial savings and a comfortable retirement income;?whereas, a more extravagant couple could have spent every penny they earned.

Fortunately, some seniors were wise planners and consulted with a financial?professional and estate attorney to preserve and grow their assets. In anticipation of?care and need, they may have purchased long-term care insurance, life insurance,?and funded an annuity. Others, perhaps through no fault of their own, might have?lost significant savings during economic turmoil, unemployment or a health crisis.
Frequently, adult children are surprised when they take a first-time look at their?parent?s financial situation. Every personal balance sheet reveals the true ability to?pay for care?this truth can be either frightening or liberating as it reveals limitations?or advantages in care choices.

Assumptions are also made about the cost of care. A discussion about the?need for eldercare assistance can be quickly sidelined by the remark, ?It?s so?expensive?? The minute that phrase is uttered by the senior or a family member,?often the door is slammed shut on any reasonable discussion of long-term care?options such as assisted living or homecare. Often, families rely on hearsay and truly
have not investigated the actual cost of care. A lack of knowledge about financial?resources and insurance and government benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid, and?the Veteran?s Aid and Attendance Benefit, contribute to the confusion and typically?stall the discussion. An unrealistic assumption of expense and affordability often?stops a discussion?well before the family has done their homework and discovered
the true costs of care.

Discussion and decisions can be sidelined by sibling rivalry, guilt and?resentment between adult children. They often have conflicting viewpoints about?their parent?s need for care, and sometimes question the severity or urgency of a situation. Some may want to play peacemaker and table the discussion, to avoid?potential conflict with a disagreeable parent or sibling. Unfortunately, avoidance of
the issue can place an onerous burden on the primary caregiver. For example, a?daughter who lives in close proximity to the parent may provide the bulk of care and?oversight, while a far distant son may only have a cursory understanding of his?parent?s daily needs. Rarely, is the responsibility for care equally shared between?siblings and for this reason, conflict, guilt and resentment can influence the
discussion about the need for professional eldercare assistance.

Adult children might have their parent?s well-being in mind when they start to?discuss the cost of eldercare but often, their own financial concerns and needs can?influence the discussion and alter the outcome. Parents frequently want to provide a?financial legacy for their children and grandchildren and do not want to ?waste it? on?paying for care. One adult child may want that legacy preserved to improve his or?her own financial health; another may wish for the money to be spent on the well-being of the parent. Sadly, aging parents often choose to delay ?costly? care since?they feel an obligation to financially support dependent adult children and?grandchildren. The financial health?and self-interest?of the adult child can greatly?influence or stall the discussion and decision to hire eldercare assistance.

Adult children need to honestly assess the situation to determine the care?needs of their loved one, and try to overlook their own personal feelings and?motivations. Clearly, the decision to hire eldercare assistance must be based on the?needs and well-being of the senior. The cost of care is always dependent upon the?level of care needed and obviously, care needs tend to grow and change over time.
For this reason an eldercare professional, such as an eldercare consultant, can help?guide the family during this difficult and confusing time. After a professional?assessment, she can help educate the family about the true costs of care, and dispel?assumptions and rumors of hyper-inflated eldercare costs. She can provide guidance?about long-term housing and care options that are appropriate for the senior?s need.

After an informed discussion with an eldercare professional, families may be?pleasantly surprised to discover affordable care options to enhance the quality of life?of their loved one.?Professional intervention can also help mediate a difficult family situation, and?be a neutral advocate for the senior. In addition to the helpful advice of an eldercare?consultant, a meeting with the senior?s financial advisor and attorney is advisable. If?the senior does not have a financial advisor or attorney, an accredited financial?professional and an attorney with an expertise in elder law should be solicited. A
thorough review of the senior?s assets should occur, before any specific changes are recommended. Legal documentation such?as wills, advance directives (living wills and medical and durable power of attorney), and trusts, can be executed if needed. In addition, these professionals can provide an overview of state and federal programs and benefits that may provide financial assistance for care, such as the VA benefit. With appropriate eldercare, financial and legal guidance, the senior client and family are both well-informed and protected.

Karen Schaeffer, Eldercare Consultant with Age & Dignity Consulting, LLC.? 2010. This article cannot be?reproduced without permission.

Source: http://www.pittsburghhealthcarereport.com/can-we-afford-eldercare-how-family-can-influence-the-discussion-and-decision/

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