A Caregivers Guide To Navigating Mom and Dad's Care

A Caregiver’s Guide to

NAVIGATING

MOM AND DAD’S

CARE

A Comprehensive Guide to Senior Care Solutions

By

Rebekah Middlebrooks & Irene Zeno

Copyright © 2024 Rebekah Middlebrooks & Irene Zeno.

All rights reserved.

It is not legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

A Caregiver’s Guide to Navigating Mom and Dad’s Care

A Comprehensive Guide to Senior Care Solutions

Disclaimer

This publication is intended to deliver accurate and authoritative information regarding the subject matter covered. This information contained here is up-to-date as of the date of this publication.

By accepting this material, you recognize that the publisher is not engaged in offering or providing legal, accounting or other professional services. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should feel free to and are advised to consult legal, accounting or other professional advisors. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential or other damages.

This publication is not and should not be considered an offer to sell securities, the sale of which are regulated by state and federal laws and regulations.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS GUIDE IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY!

The reproduction, translation or copying of this work or any part of this work without the permission of the copyright owner is unlawful. For more information on our services and on the conditions of use of informational content please see www.seniortransitionheroes.com

Table of Contents

Introduction: In Line With Your Vision

Part I: Navigating Aging and Caregiving

A Caregiver’s Tale

Chapter One: Aging’s Impact

What Does the Data Say?

Financially

Emotionally

Physically

Key Takeaway

Chapter Two: Caregiver Stress & Burnout

The Emotional Toll of Facing Senior Care Needs

Recognizing Signs of Caregiver Stress & Burnout

Navigating Family Roles & Dynamics

Key Takeaway

Chapter Three: Mental Health Support - Family and Senior

Keeping your Elderly Relative’s Mental Health Up to Par

Ways To Help the Elderly Stay Mentally Healthy

Key Takeaway

Chapter Four: Nutrition, Exercise, and Aging Gracefully

Caregiving and Nutrition

Nutrition and Dementia

Caregiving and Exercise

Aging Gracefully in the Home or Assisted Living

Key Takeaway

Part II: Navigating the Landscape of Senior Care

A Caregiver’s Tale

Chapter Five: Planning Ahead

Having Tough Conversations Early

Connecting with the Right Professionals

Having a Plan and Executing It

Key Takeaway

Chapter Six: Understanding the Intricacies of Medicare & Medicaid as They Relate to Long-Term Care

What’s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?

Medicaid

Does Medicare Pay for Long-term Care?

Key Takeaway

Chapter Seven: Do You Need an Elder Law Attorney?

What is an Elder Law Attorney?

What do Elder Law Attorneys Do?

How Much Do Elder Law Attorneys Cost?

Choosing the Right Elder Law Attorney

Key Takeaway

Chapter Eight: Making the Best Decision

How to Make Tough Decisions as a Caregiver

Making Tough Decisions for Estranged Relatives

Key Takeaway

Chapter Nine: In-Home Care Vs Senior Living

Understanding the Levels of Care

Determining Your Loved One’s Care Needs

Senior Living Options

Benefits and Challenges of Receiving Senior Care in the Home

Home Health Care

Key Takeaway

Part III: Navigating the Financing of Senior Care

A Caregiver’s Tale

Chapter Ten: Financial Strategies - For Long-term Care

Dedicated Savings Plan

Long-term Care Insurance

Key Takeaway

Chapter Eleven: Honor and Care

VA Aid and Attendance Benefit

What Expenses Does the VA Aid Cover?

Qualifying for VA Aid

Applying for the VA Aid

Supporting Documents

Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

Applying for the Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

Key Takeaway

Chapter Twelve: Navigating the Long-term Care Insurance Claim Process

How to Make Good Choices on Insurance

Linked-Benefit Policies

How to Navigate the Long-Term Care Insurance Claims Process

Filling a Long-term Care Insurance Claim

Key Takeaway

Chapter Thirteen: Unlocking Your Home’s Value - For Your Golden Age

Selling Your Home Yourself

Going the FSBO Route

Selling to Investors or iBuyers

Key Takeaway

Chapter Fourteen: Immediate Needs - Smart Funding

Leveraging Home Equity

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Cash Out an IRA

Key Takeaway

Final Words

About The Authors

Resources

References

Introduction: In Line With Your Vision

E

rnie and Sophia Watson had just gotten back from their honeymoon. Naturally, they were filled with excitement for their future to come. Ernie had just received a promotion at work after years of dedication and late nights. Sophia‘s business was booming and was running on autopilot. Ernie and Sophia had no other responsibilities and, for the first time in their lives, were thinking of taking it easy and just enjoying each others’ company. That is until Ernie’s mother, Candice, was rushed to the hospital after she tripped while getting into the shower.

Candice had been to their wedding and, apart from a few moments where she had turned down a dance or two, she had seemed fine. Still, her refusal to dance at the wedding seemed out of the ordinary. Ernie took a mental note of it but was soon preoccupied with other things.

A woman in her 70s, Candice had always been a very active member of the local community. Like Sophia, she ran her own local business, becoming the most successful pet grooming business in her city. She had always been full of life and was often described by friends as the life of the party. She was boisterous, energetic, and couldn’t sit still for one moment.

At the hospital, the Watsons learned that Candice needed hip replacement surgery. Their lives were about to change. From that moment, Ernie became Candice’s full-time caregiver. Candice was no longer able to go up and down the stairs of the home she had shared with her husband for four decades. Eventually, Ernie and Sophia, overwhelmed by the amount of care Candice needed, would move her into an assisted living facility. Although she was reluctant to move, fearing the loss of her independence, Candice eventually agreed to sell her home and allow the proceeds from the sale to be used to pay for her care.

With this second priority, Ernie had to learn how to juggle his career with what was essentially a second job. He loved his mother and would do whatever it took to make her happy. But making her happy was taking a toll on his career, his marriage, and his happiness. 

Candice was still grieving the death of her husband and now found it difficult to acknowledge and accept that she was indeed getting old. She wanted to see her son happy and enjoying his marriage, and so she felt guilty and almost like a burden on this young couple's marriage. Not knowing how to deal with it, she turned away from her family, causing even more unhappiness for Ernie and Sophia. It was a difficult period for the Watsons and, with very little information provided from the government, it was even more difficult navigating Candice’s care.

Being a caregiver today is a minefield. According to statistics from the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) and the Administration for Community Living and Administration on Aging (Samuels, 2023), from now until 2030, 10,000 baby boomers will reach retirement age each day. Many will seek assisted living options once they’re no longer able to care for themselves independently. By 2040, over 80 million people in the U.S. will be over 65 years old, with that number growing to nearly 95 million by 2060, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. . . .Someone turning 65 today has a seven-in-ten chance of needing some type of senior care as they age.

The responsibility for aging baby boomers rests squarely on their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other younger family members. That means that, statistically, you are very likely to become a caregiver to a senior family member. Without having cared for a senior before, these stats can be shocking. Likewise, the responsibility for caring for a senior can seem daunting at first. That’s why we have written this book.

We are Rebekah Middlebrooks and Irene Zeno, and we are both Senior Transition Specialists. We work to provide guidance to those who are seeking the assistance of senior professionals with the expertise to give advice through the transitioning process from being just the child, parent, friend, or grandchild into now becoming the  caregiver. After years of hands-on experience in senior care and the real estate market, we’ve both witnessed many families who waited too long to plan for senior care.

We get it. We all want to believe that we’ve got more time. Sure, you may have noticed signs here or there that your loved one might need more assistance on a daily basis, but if they are still going strong, why fix something that’s not broken? But, let’s keep it real. Over 70% of seniors will need care at some point. And you already know from past experiences that life is always bringing unexpected twists and turns. So why wait powerlessly for the unexpected when you can plan for it months and even years in advance? As Senior Transition Specialists, we know that making decisions when you’re in control is a