ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Caring for an aging or disabled loved one can mean managing medications, appointments, meals, finances and household chores – often while juggling a job and family of your own.
That’s the reality for approximately 1.52 million Michigan family caregivers who provide an estimated 1.33 billion hours of unpaid care annually, valued at more than $27 billion, as Michigan News Source reported in May.
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University of Michigan experts are now highlighting resources and practical steps that can help caregivers – including ways to keep loved ones safely in their own homes longer.
Finding Help Before You Need It
U-M’s first recommendation is knowing where to turn. Area Agencies on Aging can connect caregivers with transportation, food, in-home assistance and other services. Yet 56% of caregivers surveyed hadn’t heard of them.
Caregivers should also understand a loved one’s insurance and investigate programs such as Michigan’s MI Options, which can help families identify Medicare and home-based services. U-M also recommends getting advance directives and health care power of attorney documents completed before a crisis occurs. Caregivers should become involved in medical care, too. That can mean attending appointments, participating by phone or video, or getting authorized “proxy” access to a loved one’s patient portal.
Making Home a Place to Grow Old
Perhaps one of the most important issues is aging in place. U-M polling found 84% of adults over 65 expect to remain in their current home for the rest of their lives – but only 46% have taken steps to prepare. Grab bars in showers, railings on steps, entrance ramps and other modifications can make homes safer and potentially help people avoid or delay nursing home care. Area Agencies on Aging may help families locate home-modification programs or safety assessments that can keep loved ones at home rather than having to move into a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Don’t Forget the Caregiver
U-M’s final recommendations focus on the person providing the care. Respite care and adult day programs can provide caregivers with time away from responsibilities that often feel like a second full- time job. U-M also advises families to be careful when searching online, where trustworthy resources compete with businesses, questionable health information and scammers.
For caregivers already running on empty, finding help may be the first step toward keeping both themselves and their loved ones at home and healthy.
