Tips For Being A Caretaker To A Parent: Making The Most Of It

Last Updated on February 6, 2019 by Kimberly Stroh

The following post is in partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, but all opinions are my own. These are my personal stories of being a Caretaker to a parent.

Sometimes the best parts of life are unplanned. I never dreamed the tables would turn and I’d become a Caretaker to a parent. 

Living my own life as a busy mom of two kids and blending my schedule as my dad’s caretaker requires some careful planning. He has doctor’s visits, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Sometimes it feels like we’re a walking circus trying to make every appointment.

Although we’re busy, we’ve found the silver lining. We’re blessed to spend more quality time together as a family.

Whether you’re already a Caretaker to a parent or see it on the horizon, I’ve got some great tips to help you and your loved one. Plus, I’m sharing information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicare Advantage coverage.

Tips For Being A Caretaker To A Parent

Understand How Much Care Is Truly Needed

Try to think of the overall picture and long-term needs of your parent. To see how much care is needed, make a list of all the things you’re doing. Is help needed during the day? At night? Is constant supervision needed?

This will give you a clear view of what you need and when you need the most help. I recommend re-assessing this every few months or so.

Be Realistic About How Much Care You Can Provide

The key to not feeling burned out is to know how much you can help without harming your own health. It’s OK to need assistance and ask for it. Most likely, you’re trying to maintain your own family life on top of the care you’re giving.

Acquiring help for your loved one can be a part of your own self-care too. It’s vital that you take care of yourself so that you can be the strong support that they need.

Reduce The Financial Pressure

Caring for someone that is aging can take a toll on your wallet. It doesn’t have to be a financial burden with proper planning. There are great ways to cut medical costs and the price of prescription drugs through the right Medicare Advantage plans.

Make The Most Of Your Time

Being a caretaker to a parent means I’m spending the majority of my time with them. I always try to put a positive spin on our time together. Driving to the doctor becomes a chance for conversation. Another appointment becomes an excuse to get ice cream with grandkids. It’s all about seeing the ‘glass half full’ when you’re the caretaker.

Helping Your Loved One Pick Medicare Coverage

My Dad has been taking care of me for all these years and now is the time that I can return the love and help take care of him.

When you become the primary caretaker, it’s important to help your loved one pick the right Medicare coverage. It can make a big impact on medical expenses, access to physicians, prescription coverage and more.

For us, we were looking for: a diverse range of coverage, making sure our family doctor was covered, ease of access to information and budget-friendly costs.

Those are just a few of the reasons to consider Anthem. They’re committed to providing high-quality healthcare plus the support we need that can impact well rounded good health.

For 2019, as part of the range of coverage Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Georgia offers, many of Anthem’s Medicare Advantage offerings will include the addition of Essential Extras.

It’s a new package of benefits that provides wellness services. Access to these services help my dad live a healthier life while providing extra help to me as the caregiver. Members with access to the Essential Extras package will select one of the following benefits:

• healthy food delivery
• health-related transportation services
• adult day center visits to reduce loneliness
• allowance for assistive devices
• personal home helpers to help with daily activities at home
• alternative medicine

I can truly see how the benefits of those services can pay off. Being a caretaker to a parent isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be difficult when you’ve got the right assistance. That way we can just focus on spending more quality time together, like ice cream dates with grandkids.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.