Caregiving Journey- Long-distance caregiving, downsizing, and moving of Dad
In this episode of The Care Table podcast, Amy Huddleston speaks with Rachel about her long-distance caregiving journey with her parents, discussing the challenges and lessons learned while navigating their illnesses. Rachel shares her experiences with hospice care, the importance of having long-term care insurance, and the emotional and logistical challenges of downsizing and transitioning her father to assisted living. The conversation emphasizes the need for open discussions about end-of-life wishes and the value of hiring professionals to assist in caregiving.
Takeaways:
Rachel's parents had long-term care insurance, which was invaluable during their illnesses.
Hospice care provided essential support and dignity at the end of life.
Having a geriatric care manager can alleviate the burden on family caregivers.
Conversations about end-of-life wishes should happen early and openly.
Downsizing can be an emotional and challenging process for families.
Dementia can complicate medical decisions and requires careful management.
It's important to know where financial assets are located and how to access them.
Transfer on death designations can simplify the inheritance process.
Life is unpredictable, and planning ahead is crucial for families.
Rachel emphasizes the importance of self-care for caregivers.
Products/Books/Resources:
Aging Care Life Association to search for geriatric care managers: https://www.aginglifecare.org/
American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance: https://www.aaltci.org
CapTel phone: https://www.captel.com
Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Caregiving Journeys 00:54 Navigating Parental Illnesses 05:53 The Importance of Hospice Care 10:47 Transitioning to Assisted Living 16:23 The Downsizing Dilemma 23:13 Managing Dementia and Medical Decisions 30:55 Finding the Right Care 37:40 Lessons Learned from Caregiving 47:09 Final Thoughts and Advice
Watch on YouTube: / @thecaretable