Caring for an Elderly Parent: How to Protect Your Retirement

​Many baby boomers worry about supporting their adult children. However, it may not be their children who need help. It could be their parents. According to a study from A Place for Mom, 28 percent of Americans are either already caring for their elderly parents or will need to at some point in the future. The same study found that 86 percent of Americans are worried they won’t have the financial stability to do so.1
 
Americans’ life spans are extending longer than ever, but that longevity can bring big challenges. While living longer is generally viewed as a positive development, it can also lead to an increased need for care and support later in life.

As your parents age, their health may decline. And they may need your support with basic living activities such as getting dressed, eating or even mobility. The role of care provider can be challenging. You may feel an obligation to take care of your parent. However, you also may not have the time, energy or financial resources to do so.
 
If you’ve found yourself in the role of parental caregiver, you may feel overwhelmed. You also may be worried about how caregiving could impact your future. Below are three tips to help you take care of your parent but also protect yourself and your financial stability:

Don’t be afraid to accept help.
Some caregivers feel it’s their duty to manage every aspect of their parent’s care. They may feel protective of their parent, or they may feel guilt for leaving the responsibility to someone else.
 
Providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or some other serious issue is often a round-the-clock job. It’s natural and understandable that one person may not be able to handle it all. If you take on too much responsibility, you could threaten your career, your health or your relationships with your family.
 
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support. Ask other relatives how they can contribute. Look into community services like adult day care or volunteer caregivers. Some churches and community groups offer programs for elders.
 
Your parent may also qualify for additional benefits through the government, former employers or insurance policies. For example, veterans are often entitled to increased benefit payouts if they need care either in the home or in a facility. Be sure to explore all options.

Remember, your health is important, too.
Your parent is already suffering a serious medical issue. The last thing you or they need is for you to suffer health problems, too. If you suffer health problems, you may not be able to care for your parent, and they may be forced to turn to alternatives. You could also face your own medical bills, which could threaten your financial stability.
 
Take advantage of opportunities to relax and recover. Work exercise into your schedule when you can. Don’t abandon relationships with friends and other family members. Schedule time for fun activities so you can get a mental break and relieve stress. Your health is perhaps the most important asset you have as you care for your parent.

Don’t ignore your financial future.
In caregiving situations, there’s often a tendency to focus only on the challenge at hand without regard for the future. While that tendency is understandable, it’s important that you keep your future and financial stability in mind as you help your parent make decisions.
 
For example, you may be faced with a choice between putting your parent in a facility or providing care yourself, but at the expense of your career. Providing care could limit your ability to save and may strain your budget.
 
There’s no right answer in these situations. However, be sure to include your future needs in your decision-making. After all, if you sacrifice your financial stability today to care for your parent, you could become dependent on your children in the future. You likely don’t want them to face the same challenges you currently face.
 
Ready to develop a plan for your new role as caregiver? Let’s talk about it. Contact us at Carstens Financial Group. We can help you develop a strategy to protect yourself and your retirement. Let’s connect soon and start the conversation.
 

1http://www.huffingtonpost.com/buck-wargo/baby-boomers-face-problems-caring-for-elderly-parents_b_7795906.html
 
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