Looking after loved ones

Looking After Loved Ones

Looking After Loved Ones:

Are You Ready to be a Caregiver?

Take This Quiz and Find Out

Are You Ready
to be a Caregiver?

Are You Ready
to Be a Caregiver?

When you envision someone getting older, you may picture them in a nursing home or assisted living facility, surrounded by professional caregivers. This image, however, isn’t quite accurate. Most adults prefer to live independently at home, and are cared for by family caregivers who help them. Family and friends provide 90 percent of long-term care for adults, and as baby boomers age, more people in their 40s and 50s will become caregivers for their parents.

Caregiving can include many tasks. Someone in relatively good health may need help only with grocery shopping or occasional household tasks. A sick parent may require assistance with medical care and meal preparation. Chronically ill adults or those with cognitive impairment may also need aid with everyday tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating and toileting.

Becoming a caregiver for a parent can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t do advance preparation. “No one wants to think about a parent growing old, understandably, and so most people don’t plan ahead,” said Virginia Morris, author of the book “How to Care for Aging Parents.” “As a result, they end up responding to one crisis after the next, which means more stress, more work and fewer choices. It’s a tough job that most of us will face, but it’s made much tougher when you have to learn on the fly.”

The best strategy is to plan ahead. Fortunately, organizations such as AARP can help caregivers with the information, support, advice and other resources they need. But before you ask for guidance, it helps to be aware of what you don’t know. That’s where this quiz comes in.

How ready are you to face the legal, financial, medical and personal issues involved with caring for a loved one? This quiz will help you uncover gaps in your caregiving knowledge, and point you to resources for learning and planning.

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01 The majority of people who provide care to family members are: 01. The majority of people who provide care to family members are: DRAG ANSWER HERE DRAG ANSWER HERE scroll

Women over 50

Men over 50

Women under 50

Men under 50

02 True or false:

Maintaining a strong social support system is a time-consuming task that draws energy and effort away from caregiving. 02. Maintaining a strong social support system is a time-consuming task that draws energy and effort away from caregiving. DRAG ANSWER HERE DRAG ANSWER HERE scroll

True

False

03 True or false:

Medicare covers long-term care in a nursing home or skilled nursing facility. 03. Medicare covers long-term care in a nursing home or skilled nursing facility. DRAG ANSWER HERE DRAG ANSWER HERE scroll

True

False

04 The national median cost of a year of nursing home care in a private room is: 04. The national median cost of a year of nursing home care in a private room is: DRAG ANSWER HERE DRAG ANSWER HERE scroll

$46,332

$82,125

$92,378

05 Which of the following is true about legal documents known as a “durable power of attorney for finances” and a “durable power of attorney for healthcare?” 05. Which of the following is true about legal documents known as a “durable power of attorney for finances” and a “durable power of attorney for healthcare”? DRAG ANSWER HERE DRAG ANSWER HERE scroll

They transfer all of an individual’s money and property to another person, such as an adult child.

They give another person, such as an adult child, the authority to make legal, financial and healthcare decisions on an individual’s behalf.

They give only an individual’s attorney the right to make decisions about finances and medical care.

06 Research shows nearly 90 percent of adults over age 65 want to age in place in their homes. Certain home renovations can make this more likely. The most frequent renovation for adults who wish to age in place is: 06. Research shows nearly 90 percent of adults over age 65 want to age in place in their homes. Certain home renovations can make this more likely. The most frequent renovation for adults who wish to age in place is: DRAG ANSWER HERE DRAG ANSWER HERE scroll

Increasing the width of doorways

Adding grab bars in the bathroom

Adding a bathroom on the ground floor

Adding a ramp to the home entrance

07 When adult children sit down to talk with parents about making a caregiving plan, aging parents are most likely to respond by saying: 07. When adult children sit down to talk with parents about making a caregiving plan, aging parents are most likely to respond by saying: DRAG ANSWER HERE DRAG ANSWER HERE scroll

Thank you for your love and concern. Let’s make an appointment with an eldercare attorney right away.”

I’ll give that some thought. Now, tell me what’s going on with your job.”

I’m glad you finally offered to help. I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

08 Yes or no:

Under HIPAA healthcare privacy rules, a health care provider can share information about your parent’s health and medical treatment with you or another family member only if your parent signs a form designating you as their “personal representative.” 08. Under HIPAA healthcare privacy rules, a health care provider can share information about your parent’s health and medical treatment with you or another family member only if your parent signs a form designating you as their “personal representative.” DRAG ANSWER HERE DRAG ANSWER HERE scroll

Yes

Your caregiver readiness score

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