As the world’s population ages rapidly, caring for elderly loved ones has become an important but daunting task for families and children of older parents. Elder care, as it is known, places a heavy burden on the most vulnerable families in the country, as they are usually the ones who cannot afford to pay for outside help and must therefore take the care into their own hands. This in turn takes time off their work, schooling and other important activities, stretching families to their limits and often creating extraordinarily stressful long term situations.
This elder care burden placed upon families has been exacerbated by the fact that one of the largest generations in history, commonly known as the baby boomers, is now beginning to reach the age where they are in widespread need of elder care. This is a serious problem that many families are unprepared for and causes unnecessary stress in their family situation. There are ways in which the burden can be eased however, through various legal means and assistance options. It is strongly advised for families that find themselves in need of relief in caring for their elderly parents to consult with an experienced elder law attorney to explore what options are available for assistance.
Effect on Michigan Families
The effects of the burden of elder care on Michigan families is especially pronounced when compared to the rest of the country. In fact, according to AARP Michigan, nearly 1.3 million Michiganders serve as uncompensated caregivers for their relatives and loved ones – which accounts for over ten percent of the entire state’s population. This situation is not expected to improve, as those 75 years of age or older will increase from their current standing of 7.5 percent of the population to 13.3 percent in 2030. At the same time, the number of caregivers is expected to decline, creating a shortage of caregivers and a potential elder care crisis. According to Bridge Michigan, this shortage of caregivers is not projected to improve.
“Michigan already suffers from a gap of paid home care workers, with an estimated shortage of 34,000 direct care workers out of a current workforce of 120,000. The shortage could stretch to more than 200,000 workers by 2026 as more workers leave the field…”
There are various ways in which this burden can be alleviated. One of the best ways to handle this burden is to prepare ahead of time for the inevitable end of life care that an individual will need, through proper estate planning and establishment of medical directives. This will not only set up the structure for ensuring elder care is properly administered, but it will also structure the estate to ensure the most efficient funding possible for external caregivers. Depending on the particular circumstances surrounding the estate planning process, a legal guardian or conservator may be appointed to make decisions for the estate. This can help to ensure it is properly managed and is able to provide the most effective financial support possible for long term elder care.
There are various ways in which this burden can be alleviated. One of the best ways to handle this burden is to prepare ahead of time for the inevitable end of life care that an individual will need, through proper estate planning and establishment of medical directives. This will not only set up the structure for ensuring elder care is properly administered, but it will also structure the estate to ensure the most efficient funding possible for external caregivers. Depending on the particular circumstances surrounding the estate planning process, a legal guardian or conservator may be appointed to make decisions for the estate, which can help to ensure it is properly managed and is able to provide the most effective financial support possible for long term elder care.
Another way in which the burden of elder care can be eased is through the use of both public and private programs that provide assistance to caregivers. Respite care is one of these programs that is available through nonprofit, government and private organizations that is available for in-home care and drop-off care at adult day centers. This can be covered by Medicaid but families that do not qualify for Medicaid are required to pay for respite care themselves. In addition to all of this, community support groups exist that can be an outlet for emotional support for caregivers, especially those who deal with the emotionally challenging conditions of dementia and Alzheimer’s.