Continuing with the theme of communication, today we will consider family and finances. Caring for ourselves and our loved ones often comes quickly, leaving little time to consider various options in the moment. Monthly expenses, loss of income, assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s) impact us emotionally and financially.
Communication about and planning for the variables while we are vibrant and healthy can help prepare us for what is desired and what is financially feasible.
It’s odd to consider a time when we aren’t able to be “up and out”. Throughout our lives we have times when we don’t feel like or aren’t able to carry out our daily life. The official considerations of Activities of Daily Living include :
- Bathing:
- getting into a tub or shower; and
- getting out of a tub or shower; and
- washing your body in a tub, shower or by sponge bath; and
- washing your hair in a tub, shower or sink. (If you need substantial assistance from another person to complete any one of these activities, you are dependent for bathing);
- Dressing:
- putting on any necessary item of clothing (including undergarments) and any necessary braces, fasteners or artificial limbs; and
- taking off any necessary item of clothing (including undergarments) and any necessary braces, fasteners or artificial limbs. (If you need substantial assistance from another person to complete any one of these activities, you are dependent for dressing);
- Transferring:
- getting into a bed, chair or wheelchair; and
- getting out of a bed, chair or wheelchair. (If you need substantial assistance from another person to complete any one of these activities, you are dependent for transferring);
- Toileting:
- getting to and from the toilet; and
- getting on and off the toilet; and
- performing associated personal hygiene. (If you need substantial assistance from another person to complete any one of these activities, you are dependent for toileting);
- Continence:
- maintaining control of bowel and bladder function; or
- when unable to maintain control of bowel or bladder function, performing associated personal hygiene (including caring for catheter or colostomy bag). (If you cannot maintain control of bowel or bladder function and in addition you need substantial assistance from another person to perform the associated personal hygiene, you are dependent for continence);
- Eating:
- feeding yourself by getting food into your mouth from a container (such as a plate or cup), including use of utensils when appropriate (such as a spoon or fork); or
- when unable to feed yourself from a container, feeding yourself by a feeding tube or intravenously. (If you need substantial assistance from another person to complete any one of these activities, you are dependent for eating)
IF you were unable to go about your day, how do you envision care? What decisions have you made? Have you discussed this with those close to you? Do you have protection policies in place to ensure you/your loved ones would be able to weather this storm financially?
Northwestern Mutual’s 2018 Care Study focuses on the impact financially of caregiving. “Nearly half of caregivers (47 percent) say they did not anticipate taking on their new roll. On top of that, 68 percent report providing financial support related to their role.” The link to their study can be found online here: 2018 Northwestern Mutual Care Study
Have questions? Ready to consider how best to implement protective strategies? Helping you assess where you are today and what’s important to consider moving forward is what I love to do. When you’re ready, contact us to learn more about how we work with individuals, business owners and employees via Email or online @ The Living Planner #AreYouReady #CareForPeopleCareForBusiness
