Caught in a Caregiving Squeeze

The Baby Boomers are in a sandwich---not ones made for a meal, but one which put them in the middle of taking care of their parents AND their children. This stress and tension can cause health problems, not to mention, what they miss raising their own children.

From CBS News, (February 19, 2007)the following article shows what one family in Lancaster, California, is going through. They are not alone

Maryann Winchell can't slow down for a minute-driving to her parent's home, shuttlinghem to the doctor, taking them to the pharmacy - getting them back home.

"Every day, I'm there," Maryann says. "Some days I'm there for four hours; some days I'm there all day.

Her 65-year old mother, Mary Saavedra, has rheumatoid arthritis. Her 82-year old father, David, has Alzheimer's.

"I have to be there for them, I feel like I have to be there for them," she says.

Maryann and her husband, Stacy, are snadwiched between ailing parents and teen-aged kids who need attention, too.

"There are so many different people my parents have to look after and take care of and help," says their daughter, Suraida. "So there's not a lot of leftover time."

Or leftover money.

Stacy bears the brunt of the finacial load, working several jobs as a nurse practioner - believe it or not, in geriatrics.

He says that he does not foresee having any money put away for retirement - or an easy way to pay for the kids' college.

The Winchell family isn't alone. About 25 million baby boomers say they help their parents financially - and if their parents become seriously ill, the burden is bigger.

That's because Medicare isn't always enough. Only about 53 percent of all seniors' health care costs are covered, leaving more and more of the financial burden on their children.

For instance, Maryann's mom's arthritis responds only to a drug called Enbrel. Each month, it can cost up to $1591.99. That cost almost wiped out her parents' $2,000 monthly income, mostly social security. Then there's their $900 rent, R$260 for utilities, and the co-pays for her mom's other medication. Mayann and her husband has to take up the slack. So she spends hours doing research. That how she found a Medicare-approved HMO that will charge her just $330 co pay for that arthritis drug - but only for three months.

And what if her dad needs a nursing home that could cost $6,000 a month and more? Does Medicare pa? No.

"About 50 percent of nursing home care resident paid for their nursing home care with out-of-pocket resources. That's either their savings or family savings," says Gerald Krominski of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

Maryann's parents aren't there yet and thy're ljucky to have a committed advocate working the system for them.

"Don't take no for an answer and find a way out, because it's a business. Everything is a business," Maryann advises.

It's an exhausting full-time business for boomers still caring for kids - and now caring for dependent parents, too.

Walk for a Cure

Help walk to cure Alzheimer's!




I will be joining a walk for the cure for Alzheimer's on Friday, August 24th, 2007, in Santa Barbara, California. There are many walks being organized and if anyone might be interested in great exercise for a great cause, log onto www.alz.org/memorywalk/ to see if there is one near you.



You can set up your own Alzheimer's Walk Website. This easy and fun-to-use site lets you track donations, email friends, family, work and organizations asking for their help in donations and posts your donors on the "Honor Roll" showing who donated for someone special you want to walk for.



So exercise your legs while raising money for a cure for this devastating disease. We will all be touched by Alzheimer's in one way or another---let's work and WALK to cure it!