ACTS - Resources - Adult Children

HOME

COMMUNITIES

LIFESTYLE

LUNCHEONS & TOURS

RESOURCES

Adult Children

Prospective Residents

ABOUT ACTS

NEWS

CLUB MEMBERS

ACTS Hurricane Hardening Projects Praised

Boca Raton community highlighted

Click here for more.

Resources

Role of the Caregiver

Have you talked with your aging parents or older relatives about their lifestyle and health care plans for the future? If they resisted discussing their options with you, you need to consider what may be asked of you if they continue to avoid planning for their future needs.

In 2003, the AARP’s National Caregiver Survey found that at least 44.4 million adults are providing health care services for our seniors; and that 80% of all care received by older Americans is provided by their own family members – spouses, children, grandchildren and other relatives.

If you have an older parent or relative, it is very likely that their needs for assistance with daily living will increase with age. And, while some seniors may experience a gradual decline in health, one sudden event such as a fall or stroke can change their lives -- and yours -- in a split second.

If such an event occurs and your parent or relative has no health care plan in place, you may be called upon to make those plans yourself – in a time of crisis and anxiety.

You may feel compelled to want to take care of your parents and older relatives yourself – to “give back” for all they’ve given you. Unfortunately, this kindhearted idea can be quite unrealistic in practice.

Studies have shown that adult children who become caregivers for parents or older relatives face some thorny challenges:

Less time for personal and family life with spouses and children
Strain of balancing careers, family and caregiving responsibilities
Financial hardships when specialized equipment and in-home professional care are needed
Stress of making healthcare decisions for others

While your older parent or relative is still living independently, it is beneficial to the entire family that they make plans to respond changes in health that may arise in the future.

At ACTS, we hear time and again from our residents and their families that planning ahead for future health changes and knowing where health care will be provided if it is ever needed is often the best gift an aging parent can give their adult children.

The continuing care found at all ACTS Retirement-Life Communities is one way an aging parent can plan for their (and your) future peace-of-mind.

In addition to all the advantages of independent retirement living, ACTS’ Lifecare Program offers a continuum of care: from home health care in a resident’s apartment home to on-site assisted living services, skilled care and even specialized memory care. And, at ACTS, the monthly fees do not increase as a result of the need for a higher level of care—an important consideration in addressing changing needs.

Most importantly, your parent will be able to enjoy living independently for as long as possible thanks to the care provided at all of ACTS’ continuing care retirement communities, and you will be able to enjoy that time with them knowing that they have made a true plan for the future.

Site developed by D&D Interactive, Inc.

• Resources