Eldercare Planning

I have recently had several clients ask me to consult with them around planning for the future of their parents or spouse. Generally, they have not been in crisis, but are stressed, and can see that the need to act will come sooner rather than later.

One common factor for all of them has been that they have not included planning for themselves. They have not looked at how they will handle the stress, and how they will decide when they have reached their limits. They have not thought about what they will be willing to do, and where they will say they cannot do more.

We often hear about the need for "Care for the Caregiver." This often comes up when people's stress levels begin to rise. Before you get to that stage, where you need "care for the caregiver," do some planning about yourself.

It is essential that people start to think about this. It is like the other side of eldercare planning, but equally important. Part of the problem is that people don't think about what will be called for. Sometimes it is that they don't want to know what's coming, and sometimes they know, but don't want to think about it, because of the pain and grief this entails.

Here is why you need to think about it: It will help you be a better caregiver, and help spur you to find the resources you need to keep on doing this so that you do not burn out.