Who are you caring for? My Mom in my parents' home. Cared for dad, too, until Nov. 25,2008.

Are they able to provide financial help to cover the cost of caregiving? So far, yes. Funds are dwindling, extra help care has been decreased to 25 hours a week.

Medicare, Medicaid, none, or both? None for caregiving.

# of credit cards? None

Health insurance? Medicare and a secondary, provided by Mom through her retirement benefits.

Cut coupons? Yes. Thought everyone did! Watch for sales, too.

Amount of money in your wallet right now? $34.56

Quit your job to provide caregiving? Promised my Mom 15 years ago, no nursing home. Left my job  nearly 3 yrs ago when their health made it necessary for 24/7 care.

How are your own coping skills? 24/7 full care is more demanding than any job I've known. Even raising a son was not as difficult. By God's Grace and with His help......one day at at a time! Angels really do exist , ( they are called friends and Caring.com) and help to keep  my spirits up! May God richly bless anyone who has undertaken the giving of care for a loved one!

Debbie :-)

Thanks for responding, Debbie!! I thought everyone cut coupons too but then I started asking around and so many people told me that "it just wasn't worth it anymore". I think as long as you use them for items that you would buy normally, it's definitely worth it !

You are very welcome, Lisa!

I watch for sales, cut coupons and plan my shopping trip about twice a month. Fortunately,where I shop is less than a mile away! Two local chain stores ( 3 blocks from here) are closing and have some pretty fair discounts!

I also applied for discounts on utilities, based on low income, senior rates and medical base-lines. It was a worthwhile venture, cutting an average of 40% across the board monthly!

Take care and God Bless you! :-)

Who are you caring for? My wife. Recently diagnosed with colon cancer.

Are they able to provide financial help to cover the cost of caregiving? Yes.

Medicare, Medicaid, both or none? None

# of credit cards you own? 7. None with balances

Health insurance? Currently through employer. Later through COBRA. Then medicare/medicaide

Cut coupons? Sometimes

Amount of money in your wallet right now? More than I need right now. 

Quit your job to provide care giving? No, thankfully I'm able to work from home two days of the week. Daughter and Son take trade off on another day. I take one day every two weeks as a vacation day. Other days she is alone or maybe with another relative or friend.
 

Thanks for responding, gabrieldrm. I'll definitely be keeping your wife in my thoughts and prayers!

I think it's awesome that none of your credit cards have balances! It's so hard to stay credit card debt-free, especially with the tough economy these days.

Lisa

Who are you caring for? My mother, who has Alzheimer's and has lived with us for 4 1/2 years.

Able to provide financial help to cover the cost of caregiving? Only partly.

Medicare, Medicaid, both or none? MEDICARE

Number of credit cards you own? Not sure, maybe five? But no balances.

Health insurance? YES, from her former employer. Without it, her medical bills would be devastating.

Cut coupons? NO

Amount of money in your wallet right now? Not sure. Under $100

Quit your job to provide care giving? No, I am 100% disabled,

BUT my husband has been earning significantly less since my mother moved in, as much of her caregiving falls to him..

Who are you caring for? My mom she is 71 with a history of endometrial cancer. She has been staying with us since Apr 08

Are they able to provide financial help to cover the cost of caregiving? No, she is barely able to pay medical copays and meds.

Medicare, Medicaid, both or none? opted out of medicare. She has Bravo in Maryland.

of credit cards you own? We had four with low balances. my husband has been unemployed, we've burned through all the saving, sold our stuff and then had to use the cards. 18 months of doing that, the balances have grown substantially.

Health insurance? My mom was talked into waiving medicare. She does not have Medicare. It's been hard to navigate all the 'rules'for Bravo. Seems that quality of care is poor.

Cut coupons? I try to find them, but we don't get the paper. I shop at a club and always use those coupons

Amount of money in your wallet right now? < .50 in change Quit your job to provide care giving? I wish I could, it's a big challenge. I've very scared and confused as to what to do. This is the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with.