Have a GREAT retirement

Here at Gilbert Guide, we are constantly urging family caregivers to seek respite so that when they are on-duty, they can give out the best adult care to their loved one. One of the most difficult kind of work that one can ever think of is taking care of an aging loved one, which is why each of our Guides has sections on Caregiver Support, Counseling and Support Groups and Crisis Lines. But as one of our readers recently pointed out, what resources are available for the professional caregiver, especially those who provide live-in care and assume a huge amount of responsibility?

The reader also asked if there was forum in which to discuss wages and other issues in regard to providing professional home health care. Her comments brought up a point recently discussed on Medical News Today that reports that wages for caregivers are some of lowest in the country. And how this fact coupled with the aging population of baby boomers could spell trouble for the industry if it is unable to keep up the supply with the demand.In my honest opinion, we were unsure as to how to really help her out, so we would like you to weigh-in, please let us know which organizations, including anything from advocacy with home care to support groups, you have found useful.

Do you have any luck with contacting the National Organization for Homecare and Hospice to find out what they recommend?

With critical care insurance, you are paid a lump sum after you have been diagnosed with a critical illness. The idea is that auxiliary expenses tend to pile up when diagnosis occurs, even if a person is insured. With the help of a critical care insurance plan, the beneficiary can decide where his/her benefits will do the most good;whether it goes toward skilled nursing care in the home, or lost wages for family caregivers, or other expenses of daily living that are difficult to meet when one is financially disabled.

Which direction were you pointed in, and most importantly, do you feel like your opinions are being heard? P.S. Thanks to Nurse Heather for bringing up this important long term care issue.