For elderly care providers, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This can be applied to caregiving when preparing instead of waiting for a medical crisis. Sadly, this is typical for so many working families with aging loved ones. Barriers present themselves in time, procrastination, and lack of knowledge which can all lead to an early and unnecessary leave from the workforce.
Preparing for Caregiving as Elderly Care Providers
As so many of us plan for retirement and vacations, it should be logical that we plan for caregiving. If we keep putting it off, the lack of preparation has a large impact on our lives and can interrupt mental and physical health, reduce income, reduce social connections, and more. When we don’t plan, we experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression, irritability, strained relations, and chronic disease ourselves. Researchers prove that caregivers over the age of 50 leaving the workforce to become a family caregiver lose an average of $304,000 in wages and benefits over their lifetime and increase their own risk of poverty in their old age.
What to do to prepare for caregiving
Planning ahead, whether through developing a savings account or budget to set aside money for such an occasion is wisely advised. Unfortunately, EAPs (Employment Assistance Programs) in the workplace focus on the employee in crisis mode. Learning when to step in, have the hard conversation, and seeking out resources in the community are vital to planning.
With a large generation of baby boomers growing older, it is important to consider staying ahead versus being left behind with a heavy burden to bear. Planning is never an issue people regret. Your loved one deserves the best, and so do you!
