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Money and Health:Caregiving and Money

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Health's Top Stories
Get a weekly look at the most popular stories on Health.com.

3 Legal Documents Caregivers Need

How to ensure the person you're caring for is as comfortably and healthy as possible.
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As a caregiver, you want to make sure that the person you're caring for is as comfortable and healthy as possible. But that may not be possible if you don't have a few key legal documents. In a worst-case scenario, you might be forced to fight for guardianship in court, a time-consuming and costly process that you can avoid by preparing these simple documents.  Read More

How to Be a Caregiver and Not Go Broke Yourself

How to make it work and give the best care
caregiver-senior-walker
Without planning, taking care of a loved one can easily become a major drain on financial resources. And the more demanding it becomes, the more your own financial health is endangered.   Read More

How to Talk About Money and Health With Your Aging Parents

Now is the time to start a dialogue
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Few of us like talking about money or death, so it’s no surprise your parents aren't jumping at the chance to discuss these topics with you. But not talking about the issues now can result in misunderstandings and heartache later.   Read More

Special-Needs Trust: How to Ensure the Care of Your Disabled Child

How to Ensure the Care of Your Disabled Child
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Caring for special-needs children can be very expensive. Some parents are prepared to spend a small fortune to provide food, shelter, and medical care for their special-needs kids. But what if the care becomes unaffordable? And who will take over when the parents are no longer around?  Read More

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why Your Parents Need a Living Will

Q: What is a living will?

A: A living will, sometimes called an advanced health directive or a medical power of attorney, is a legally enforceable document that identifies a patient's end-of-life wishes. It can specify that you want the cessation of treatment under a specific set of conditions—when you want to "pull the plug," in other words. Most people draw the line in one of three ways.

  • If they're in a coma or a persistent vegetative state and there's no hope for recovery.

  • If they're not in a coma, but have lost so much cognitive function that the doctor feels there's no hope for recovery.

  • If there's a terminal illness with no hope for recovery.
A living will does not authorize someone else to act on your behalf for medical decisions. You need a health-care proxy for that.
Read More

How to Choose Between Home Health Care, Assisted Living, and a Nursing Home

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Caring for someone can be time-consuming and exhausting—for you and your bank account. Family and friends can step in to assist, of course, but there may come a point when your loved one needs professional care. Here are some basic options to consider...  Read More

How Do You Ensure the Care of a Chronically Ill Spouse if He Outlives You?

chronic-illness-spouse
Caring for an ill spouse can be exhausting, expensive, and possibly even damaging to your health. Research has shown that caregivers have higher blood pressure and higher levels of depression and anxiety than non-caregivers. Plus, they're less likely to spend time taking care of their own health...  Read More


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