Anyone want to play? Just copy the questions below, erase my answers and then put in your own. Also feel free to add your own questions to the survey !
Who are you caring for? I cared for my mom while she lived with us for 1 1/2 years.
Are they able to provide financial help to cover the cost of caregiving? Not at first but eventually she was able to get some social security disability assistance.
Medicare, Medicaid, both or none? none
# of credit cards you own? We have 3 with balances but my mom had many more.
Health insurance? Luckily my mom was able to stay on my dad's health insurance even though they were separated. Without it, the medical bills would have been even more devastating.
Cut coupons? Yep! My mom would help me cut them out and organize.
Amount of money in your wallet right now? $22.80
Quit your job to provide care giving? No, thankfully I'm able to work from home.
Lisa
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.
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..
©suzannemcable2009
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.
Who are you caring for? I am caring for my husband who is 71 and has Parkinson's and dementia.
Are they able to provide financial help to cover the cost of caregiving? So far, we have enough income to take care of the needs. We are very blessed in that way.
Medicare, Medicaid, both or none? Medicare Part A only.
Number of credit cards you own? We have 4 with balances.
Health insurance? Yes, thank God.
Cut coupons? Oh, yes. I have friends collecting them for me as well to help with Ensure and other necessities.
Amount of money in your wallet right now? about $150.
Quit your job to provide care giving? No, I'm still working full time out of necessity and then going home to my "second" job of caregiver.
Oh, I totally agree about the coupons. I save anywhere from 20 to 35 percent every week by using my store card and clipping coupons fervently, but just for things I would buy anyway. It is definitely worth the effort.
Who are you caring for? Both my parents live with me. Mom has many medical issues, dad so far is still pretty self sufficient
Are they able to provide financial help to cover the cost of caregiving? They do give me some but I am basically the sole support of all three of us.
Medicare, Medicaid, both or none? Medicaid
of credit cards you own? Two major cards, but no balances
Health insurance? Just Parts A, B and D. Wish I had know what C was when they first retired and before mom got sick. :( Cut coupons? I tend to shop the perimeter of the store, meat and produce so not a lot of coupons. I do have a full size freezer so when meat is on sale I stock up.
Amount of money in your wallet right now? $15.00
Quit your job to provide care giving? Even if I wanted to no way could I afford all the expenses. I was unemployed for a few months in 2008 and was sweating the expenses.
Who are you caring for? My mother who just recently had a hip replacement and is now unable to walk.
Are they able to provide financial help to cover the cost of caregiving? Yes, she gets a pension and social security benefits.
Medicare, Medicaid, both or none? Medicare and AARP
of credit cards you own? I have 3 with balances.
Health insurance? I pay each month for a supplementary medicare plan.
Cut coupons? Sometimes
Amount of money in your wallet right now? $20.00
Quit your job to provide care giving? No, I can't because I own my home and the bills have to be paid with not much support from my family. I am not at that retirement age to quit my job. Meanwhile I am stuggling to keep my mom in the home with a paid caregiver and I am slowing going under. Yet, I am hopeful that things will improve financially.
Just read my post of 5 months ago. My dear husband died on April 9th, so I am no longer a caregiver. My heart goes out to those of you still in the battle. Take care of yourselves, too, so you don't burn out. As part of my grief counseling, I have been advised to give the same care to myself as I gave to my husband and I'm trying to follow that advice. God bless you all.
Who are you caring for? Both but my 90 yr old father had a serious accident 2 yrs ago leaving him partially invalid. Mom is 93 and still pretty active.
Are they able to provide financial help to cover the cost of caregiving? My mom pays me $300/mo out of their pension and ss. Of course she lets me live here and eat too ;)
Medicare, Medicaid, both or none? No one pays for my help, though thankfully Medicare has been great for med expenses
of credit cards you own? 1 and mother pays the balance each month so no interest charges .. I'm sure they don't like her lol
Health insurance? They pay $400 for supplemental insurance which is a good thing since my dad's hospital bill (2 months stay, surgeries etc came to nearly $1Mil)
Cut coupons? sometimes, but only for things we would normally buy.
Amount of money in your wallet right now? umm about $1.85 :)
Quit your job to provide care giving? I quit working the day my dad has his accident. 2 yrs end of August.
BTW I am 58 yrs old, divorced a long time. It was basically my decision to do this - Dad would have NOT been able to come home and because they are at such a different "level of care" they would have not been able to live together in a "facility" so this made the most sense. I have no siblings and after 63 yrs of marriage couldn't see them not being able to be together.
Who are you caring for? My ex-husband who has terminal cancer.
Are they able to provide financial help to cover the cost of caregiving? No, but once he got SSI disability he began paying me a modest amount of rent. I still bear most of the cost of household expenses, food, travel to appointments, and caring for him. Most of his money goes for medical bills and prescriptions.
Medicare, Medicaid, both or none? Medicare (qualified after 2 years on disability). Looked into supplemental insurance, such as AARP, but he doesn't qualify since he gets Medicare through disability.
of credit cards you own? about 5 (usually no balances unless something unforeseen happens)
Health insurance? I have health insurance through my retirement. He has Medicare.
Cut coupons? Yes, and buy things when on sale.
Amount of money in your wallet right now? $27 and some change.
Quit your job to provide care giving? Yes, but thankfully I was able to take early retirement. Still, it is difficult to make ends meet. I am surprised at how little help is available to those on disability who don't qualify for Medicaid. I often wonder what would happen to him if I didn't look after him. I was also surprised to be told that I cannot deduct expenses I incur for his medical care and medical related travel and he cannot deduct it because he does not pay income tax on his Social Security disability income.
