Educated Aging

The "sandwich generation" are people who are caring for both their aging parents and their own children.  They are "sandwiched" between the needs and demands of two generations.  It can be significantly stressful and expensive to juggle the responsibilities between work, family, and elder care. 

Who they are:

The sandwich generation is typically middle-aged adults, usually in their 40s and 50s, who are actively raising children while also providing care for elderly parents. 

Challenges they face:

Balancing the demands of childcare, educational expenses of children, eldercare, and maintaining their own career often leads to financial strain, time constraints, and emotional stress.  The demands of responsibilities can feel like being squeezed between two different sets of needs from both their children and parents.

How To Manage:

First and foremost, take care of you.  Secondly, get educated on how to make this a manageable and successful time while making sure that you, the Caregiver, is okay.

There are going to be many situations involved in caregiving, caring for an aging parent from independent living to Hospice care, what services may be available to both caregiver and the person needing care and what happens after a loved one dies.  The good news is that there is help available for this to be a much less stressful time and to hopefully become a memorable and successful end of life experience.

I will provide much more information through continual publications.

First Things to Know:

What are the Advance Directives?

Advance directives are legal documents that provide instructions for health care providers if you are unable to communicate or make decisions for yourself.  

Advance Directives generally include: 

Living will

A document that outlines your preferences for end-of-life care, including which treatments you want and which you want to avoid 

Medical Power of Attorney

A document that names a person to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to.  This person is also known as a health care proxy, agent, surrogate, or representative.

(This is different from a Durable Power of Attorney for Person or Finances.) 

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order

An order that prevents CPR from being administered in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

(This document is generally written or ordered when there is a terminal illness and/or no hope for recovery.  It is generally requested when a person does not want to be placed on life support.) 

Any person eighteen (18) years and older should have Advance Directives.

(More to be covered on Advance Directives in future issues of A View.)

Social Security and Basic Financial Status 

Know the Social Security status of your parents or the person that has named you as 

Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.  For example, know where the Social Security information is located, what bank is receiving Social Security payments and how to notify Social Security at time of death.  

Financial arrangements are hopefully made in advance by the designation of a Durable Power of Attorney (POA) for finances in the event that a person is unable to carry out their financial duties such as bill paying.  

Find out what attorney is involved in your parent’s legal documents.

Parents and Older Adults, inform your designated POA in advance regarding what bills and financial obligations need to be taken care of when you cannot do so.

Loved One’s Health Insurance Plan

Know the name of the insurance plan and the location of insurance cards.

Communicate with all Healthcare Providers involved in Treatment

Be an advocate.  Be the eyes, ears and voice for the person that is depending on you to make sure they are receiving appropriate care and treatment.  

Local Area Agency on Aging & Disability

The local Area Agency on Aging & Disability is an excellent resource and help for caregivers.

https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/About/Aging_Network/AAA.aspx

or call:  1-800-677-1116

The Moral of The Story:

Talk about it in Advance.

Please send questions through this website on the Home page.

Consultations are Available