ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

Results tagged “caregiving” from ShAARP Session

Nov '09 3

Correy Robertson | 11:16 AM | 6 Comments

Check out this editorial in Politico from Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President at AARP. She talks about the "sobering" realities that senior citizens face when it comes to health care, and where AARP stands on the issues at hand with health care reform. She discusses the need to close that "doughnut hole" in Medicare prescription drug coverage, and that discrimination by insurance companies must end. LeaMond says:


"AARP has been fighting for years to abolish age rating for the same reasons that we want to end private insurance discrimination based on a person's gender or medical history: because fairness is a fundamental American value, and arbitrary discrimination in any form runs counter to who we are. This year we have an opportunity to make great progress toward ending discrimination and ensuring that those who need affordable, high-quality health care can find it."


In other News of Note...
Here is an article worth checking out from the Wall Street Journal. It talks about an interesting dilemma: how caring for your aging parents can cause problems in your career - especially when it comes to relocation for that career. The story highlights the stories of three executives who had to do just that - and how each of them tackled the problem and found a solution in different ways.

Oct '09 24

ShaarpWriter | 6:53 PM | 0 Comments

From Patti Shea

The dos and don'ts of caregiving are tricky to maneuver, said Virginia Morris, author of "How to Care for Aging Parents," but if done right it can be rewarding to all involved. Planning ahead is key, Morris told an audience of AARP members -- most of whom, by a show of hands, were or have been caregivers.

Morris advised open communication with aging parents, and counseled against addressing them as if they're children. After all, she said, "they're still your parents."

Instead, she said, "be direct," she said, and ask a lot of questions about their past and future worries. Ask them for advice and get them talking about how they cared for their own parents. And be forewarned: "You won't settle this in one conversation." But hang in therre, she said, and "don't be discouraged. You've planted the seed. This will be an on-going conversation."

Above all, Morris suggested, take care of yourself by setting limits, asking for help, spending time with friends, and exercising and eating well. "You have to learn to say 'no,'" Morris said. "And dump the guilt, especially you women."

Oct '09 21

Correy Robertson | 1:41 PM | 1 Comments


There is an interesting story on WSJ.com today called "Getting Paid to Take Care of Mom and Dad." It talks all about an alternative to the feuds that can arise when it comes to unequal inheritances - that is, leaving more to children who have taken on significant caregiving duties. Sounds kind of ugly, right?


How about this: entering into a formal "caregiving contract" with your child is a way to "reward" family members who take on the responsibility of caregiving. The article cites a study from AARP and the National Alliance of Caregiving that says that on average, caregivers provide more than 20 hours of care a week; and the average length of time spent providing care is 4.3 years. Multiply that by the estimated quarter of the adult population in the U.S. providing care to an elderly loved one...and those hours really add up! It might make sense for those individuals to open such a "caregiving contract" and make a modest salary for the time and dedication they put into caring for their loved one.


Could still be an uncomfortable situation...for both the parent paying the child, the child accepting money from the parent, and/or the sibling who isn't able or willing to take on the caregiving responsibilities. What do you think?

Jul '09 24

Tammy Gordon | 12:57 PM | 0 Comments

When a tragedy occurs, people often come together to grieve and support one another. When the Murray family of Chevy Chase, MD lost both a daughter and mother on June 26, due to an accident caused by a tree branch falling on their minivan, the community responded with acts of full-fledged warmth and sustenance.

After consoling, Sara Knoll, friend of the family's, along with others, set up an online "support system" where more than 400 people have enlisted to offer aid to father, Sean Murray and his five daughters.

The response to the site has been so great that it has ensured that the family's home needs will be met through December 23. The website, Lotsa Helping Hands, makes it simple to reach out to locals in need by creating an online community with a calendar and announcements for organizing.

If you want more ideas on how to help in your community, visit Create the Good's site to find "do it yourself" organizer toolkits to jump-start your plans.

Got a great "do it yourself" way to make a difference in your community? Tell us about it here.

May '09 6

David Goldstein | 9:01 AM | 0 Comments

care give.jpg

Across the country, longer life-spans are leading to more and more adult-children caring for their parents. Family caregiving can be a demanding and stressful component of life, but it is increasingly becoming the norm. Despite the pressures of having to balance caregiving with work and other family concerns, there may be an underlying benefit in looking after loved ones. A new study contradicts previous research that said that caregiving reduced lifespan. This new information seems to show that people who look after family actually live longer than those who don't. Just one more good reason to look after family when you're needed.

Nov '08 21

David Goldstein | 10:26 AM | 1 Comments

Trying to save a little money on housing? Have parents or kids that can't afford to be on their own? Join the club. The Census Bureau reported that over 3.6 million parents lived with their adult children in 2007, up 67% from 2000. There are a lot of benefits to inter-generational living: shared housing costs, dividing the chores, and extra help watching the kids. There can be some strain though, so keeping the lines of communication and understanding open is crucial. Does this sound like your living situation? Tell us about your living experience in the comments.

Nov '08 20

David Goldstein | 10:21 AM | 0 Comments

The cost of unpaid caregiving in the country was $375 billion last year according to a new AARP study. This was more than the government's expenditure for Medicaid and a $25 billion increase from 2006. With 34 million Americans providing unpaid care to family and friends for an average of 21 hours per week, it is easy to see how caregiving has such an enormous cost. Aside from monetary value, caregiving places a huge strain on caregivers who often have to take time off of work and face additional stresses. Tell us your caregiving stories in the comments.

Nov '08 11

Alejandra Owens | 1:10 PM | 0 Comments

Gail Ulerie, mother of Shurvon Phillip, a paraplegic after his Humvee hit an IED:

(You can read more about Shurvon's story from the New York Times Magazine.

Nov '08 11

Alejandra Owens | 10:58 AM | 0 Comments

Earlier this year, we featured an article in our magazine on the challenges of parents now caring for their sons and daughters wounded in the Iraq War.
Maryland Public Television recently aired our half-hour special featuring interviews with parents who have put their lives on hold. Throughout the day we'll be posting short excerpts of interviews with parents who are now taking care of their kids, wounded veterans.

For more on this topic, and other interviews and information on caregiving visit our website.