Blog Archives

Please vote in the upcoming elections

10/27/2014

Please do yourself and all the other caregivers a favor and seek out candidates and propositions that impact senior Americans and their caregivers and go out and vote on November 4th. It is important that our voices are heard and that our elected officials know that we care about those we care for. So regardless of your political affiliation, please vote for candidates and causes that effect you.

Please read this great article from Health Affairs Blog about the importance of forging a political force.

Take care and stay healthy,
Debbie Carroll
Founder, The Senior Sage

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Guest post from Fawne Hanson

10/15/2014

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Todays post comes from Fawne Hansen, a wellness coach who specializes in chronic stress. Caregiving can be a very rewarding job, but unfortunately stress among caregivers is extremely common. Ignoring the symptoms of stress can eventually affect physical and mental health, but following some simple stress management tips can make a big difference. This article was originally posted on Fawne's website here.

Please remember as you're taking care of your loved one(s), it is important to take care of yourself.

Take care and stay healthy!
Debbie Carroll
Founder, The Senior Sage

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Can I get paid to be a family caregiver?

10/7/2014

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This article has some conversation starters that you can use in your family before an aging parent needs care. One option not discussed is moving your aging parent into your home and charging them room and board. Please talk to an elder law attorney who can draft a rental agreement, as well as help with changes to trusts or powers of attorney.

According to the Caregiver Action Network; Each year more Americans are caring for a loved one with a chronic condition, disability, or the frailties of old age. There are as many as 90 million family caregivers in the U.S. today. Two out of every 5 adults are family caregivers. 39% of all adult Americans are caring for a loved one who is sick or disabled – up from 30% in 2010. Family caregivers are the backbone of the Nation’s long-term care system. According to a 2011 AARP study, family caregivers provide $450 billion worth of unpaid care each year. That’s more than total Medicaid funding, and twice as much as homecare and nursing home services combined.

The economic impact of being a family caregiver hit home with me several years ago when I stopped working to care for my mother. Not only did I lose income, I also lost social security contributions that could have been accruing. Unfortunately, my mother was not in a position to financially reimburse me.

The burden that caregiving families are facing is overwhelming and more needs to be done to help financially support caregivers. Consider sharing your story with your legislative representatives so they understand the role of caregivers and the families they represent, or leave a comment here and I will forward your comments to the right government leaders.

Take care and stay healthy,
Debbie Carroll
Founder, The Senior Sage

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Debbie Carroll is the Founder of The Senior Sage and knows first hand what it's like to be a caregiver.

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Please vote in the upcoming elections

Guest post from Fawne Hanson

Can I get paid to be a family caregiver?

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