How Not To Tear Your Family Apart

The fact is, more than half of employed caregivers (56 percent) experience at least one work-related strain. It might mean working different hours, fewer or more hours, and taking time off, whether paid or unpaid. And then there is the effect on your own family if you need to cut back on other spending, which can undermine the family’s future financial security. One in six caregivers in the survey reduced contributions to their retirement savings and roughly half have cut back on leisure spending.”44

Jodi states her case. “Sixty-two percent of caregivers who participated in the AgingCare.com survey say that the cost of caring for a parent has impacted their ability to plan for their own financial future. This is simply not a risk that Dad and I are willing to take when at this age, we have other options.”

Nicole, looking pensive, tries to wrap her head around why her parents are sharing this research, “So, what you’re saying is that the age of a family member isn’t the decisive factor but rather the serious consequences of not planning that you want to avoid, for all of us. What exactly are you suggesting?”

“Dad and I want to redo the three simple steps.”