Aging Baby Boomers and the Importance of Having a Family Caregiver Contract
The aging baby boomer generation faces a dilemma as they navigate caring for aging parents while dealing with economic downturns and potential caregiver shortages. Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of a family caregiver contract and how it can help preserve assets and avoid financial loss.
Is There a Family Care Giver Contract in Your Future?
The aging baby boomer generation wants to remain in their homes as they age. We are living longer, but not healthier. Many aging seniors are finding they are providing care for their parents.
Seniors have been affected by an economic downturn and lay offs. They is a looming caregiver shortage. This has caused an interest in the development of a family caregiver contract or agreement.
Reasons for a Caregiver Contract
Some of us of the baby boomer generation are caring for aging parents, a growing family and working. Others are unable to retire as planned due to financial loss in their retirement funds. Some baby boomers are finding themselves unexpectedly out of work.
Studies show that family caregivers loose 75% of their earning potential. This is for every year that the caregiver provides care for the aging senior in their life. Over 50 million family members provide unpaid care to a family member. This equates to over $300 billion dollars we are saving the government. The children of boomers will face this situation as well.
The aging baby boomers have decided to get creative and develop a win-win solution. The family caregiver contract is not new.
Qualifying for Medicaid and new “spending down” regulations has affected those providing care. This has generated an increase interest in written agreements.
Stricter regulations to qualify for Medicaid include a “look back” period. This has been increased to five years. It is presently being proposed to go back 7 years.
This “look back” period investigates assets for a period of 5 (to 7years). The government evaluates to determine if in that 5 year period the home(s) were given to family members as a gift. This includes other financial assets.
These “gifts” are considered assets. These assets were available for to pay for care in a nursing home. The Medicaid system will take these factors into account. They then determine when the senior will be eligible to qualify for Medicaid…or any other public services.
How to Protect Family Assets
For example, an aging mother, presently living in her own home requires an increase in level of care. Her assets are her home (assessed at $300,000) and a small savings. This mother takes pride in the fact that she has this home. She has every intention of leaving her home to her children, as their inheritance. To preserve the home, her daughter and grandchildren have moved in to provide care for her mother.
The following is important information for the baby boomer generation:
According to the “look back” system, the home would be considered an asset. This asset belonged to the mother and could pay for her care. Her home is valued at $300, 000. Care in the nursing home is $7,000 a month. It would be 42. 6 months until the aging mother would qualify for Medicaid.
In order to pay for the care in a nursing home, it would be expected that the family pay 42 months of private pay. This means out of their own pocket. The finances from the sale of the house would be used to pay for care needed in an institutional setting.
The family caregiver contract can change that dynamic and is a solution for the family care giver. Many family members become upset and insulted at the thought of writing up a contract. Many find it offensive to get paid to care for a family member. For some, it makes perfect sense, as they feel the financial crunch of caring for an aging senior at home.
A family member receiving payment for services is not viewed by the system as receiving a gift. So, as part of a family care giver contract, the assets appear to be less and the aging mother will not be penalized.
There are many benefits, as well as a downside to the family caregiver contract.
I will address them here:
The major downside for services is the payment will be required to be claimed as income. It will be taxed. For some, this is enough to not want to provide services. Many family caregivers do not realize their caregiving journey can be as long as 20 years. Many experience severe financial loss. Many quit working to provide care. Statistics show that after caregiving, many are left living at below poverty level. Many have not contributed to Social Security. When the time comes, they find they are not able to afford to live on their social security benefits.
For others, to provide care may only be possible if there is some financial reimbursement.
Aging Baby Boomers want to Age in Place
Many aging seniors do not want to have care provided to them by strangers. Some family members find it difficult to find outside caregivers to provide care. To meet family obligations, family caregivers make major sacrifices. They do this to make sure that the needs of the aging seniors in their life are taken care of properly.
The benefits of a family care giver contract are many. There is the satisfaction of helping a family member in need. Many aging seniors do not want and are uncomfortable with unfamiliar faces. It can be a time to get to know the aging senior on a different level. For the aging senior, being cared for by a trusted family member can be meaningful. Even if they are unable to express those feelings.
Some family members want to be acknowledged and reimbursed for the care they provide. It is not always easy to provide care to an aging senior that is demanding and unappreciative. The responsibilities of being a caregiver are stressful and unpredictable.
The family care giving contract can alleviate resentment and sibling rivalry. A major issue of most caregivers is lack of family support; whether from siblings or extended family. This causes resentment and frustration. Eventually anger develops for many caregivers.
A written contract alleviates that situation,. As individuals will get reimbursed for the care they provide.
It is also important that many caregivers have a formalized written contract. Many uninvolved family members pursue legal avenues after the family member passes. Many are seeking part of any inheritance.
It is not unusual for the uninvolved family members to want a share of an estate. Providing services with a written contract can protect the caregiver. After all you are the one that provided the majority of care.
More on the importance of the family caregiver contract
The following is important information for the baby boomer generation:
According to the “look back” system, the home would be considered an asset. This asset belonged to the mother and could pay for her care. Her home is valued at $300, 000. Care in the nursing home is $7,000 a month. It would be 42. 6 months until the aging mother would qualify for Medicaid.
In order to pay for the care in a nursing home, it would be expected that the family pay 42 months of private pay. This means out of their own pocket. The finances from the sale of the house would be used to pay for care needed in an institutional setting.
The family caregiver contract can change that dynamic and is a solution for the family care giver. Many family members become upset and insulted at the thought of writing up a contract. Many find it offensive to get paid to care for a family member. For some, it makes perfect sense, as they feel the financial crunch of caring for an aging senior at home.
A family member receiving payment for services is not viewed by the system as receiving a gift. So, as part of a family care giver contract, the assets appear to be less and the aging mother will not be penalized. Those assets are sheltered and not seen as assets that need to be spent down.
This is where the family caregiver contract comes in. It is a written agreement between the aging senior and their family member, who will provide care for them. The payment can go towards room and board or direct care services provided by the family member. This will allow the mother to pay her daughter to care for her in the home.
The family caregiver contract also protects both parties. It outlines what is expected of the caregiver and what they will be compensated for. It can also prevent future conflicts among other family members who may question why one person is receiving financial compensation for caring for a family member. By having a written agreement in place, there is no room for misunderstandings or disagreements. This also helps to ease the stress and burden placed on the family caregiver, who often takes on a full-time role with little to no support.
The Importance of Building a Care Team Partner Support Group
But it's important for the baby boomer generation to remember that having a family care team is crucial in providing quality care for an aging loved one. It's not realistic or sustainable for one person to take on all the responsibility and tasks involved in caring for an elderly family member. This is where building a care team that includes family members, friends, and professional caregivers can make all the difference.
Having a diverse care team ensures that each person's strengths are utilized and no one person becomes overwhelmed or burned out. It also allows for breaks and respite for the primary caregiver, giving them time to recharge and take care of their own physical and mental well-being.
As the baby boomer generation continues to age, the importance of having a family caregiver contract in place cannot be stressed enough. It not only protects both parties involved, but it also helps ease financial burdens and provides a more sustainable caregiving solution. And with a shortage of direct care workers and increasing stress on family caregivers, it's crucial to build a care team that can support and provide quality care for aging loved ones.
The Importance of Aging Boomers and Having A Family Caregiver Contract in place
So don't wait until it's too late - start discussing and creating a family caregiver contract now to ensure the best possible care for your loved ones in their golden years. Let's all embrace this win-win solution and take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones. The future is in our hands, let's make sure we have a solid plan in place. Let's take care of ourselves, as well as those who took care of us. As always, love and cherish your family, they are your most valuable asset!
Don't wait until it's too late - start discussing and creating a family caregiver contract now to ensure the best possible care for your loved ones in their golden years. In conclusion, the importance of having a family caregiver contract in place cannot be emphasized enough. It not only provides protection and clarity for both parties involved, but it also helps to create a sustainable caregiving plan that involves building a care team.
Take the necessary steps to ensure the best possible care for our aging loved ones and show gratitude for their unwavering love and support. Remember, family is our most precious asset and it's our responsibility to take care of them just as they have taken care of us. Let's make sure their golden years are filled with love, compassion, and quality care. Let's start the conversation about a family caregiver contract today - for a better tomorrow.
If you want more information on how to build a Care Team Partner Support Group, take our How to Become a Patient Care Advocate Course
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Diane Carbo