“If not a village…..how about a backup plan?”

We know caregiving is stressful, underpaid and does not receive the respect it deserves for holding our society together. It’s important, and generally overlooked, that a key role of the caregiver is to take care of themselves as well as their loved one. I consider the most challenging part of this to be remembering to care for yourself.

Caregiving can be an extra full-time job on top of whatever full time job you already have. There is so much to organize like doctor’s appointments, therapy, prescriptions, and remaining positive and empathetic while juggling dozens of details.

In April of 2023, The Biden Administration issued an executive order, which made it possible for qualified family caregivers to get PAID. This is a wonderful step forward and one that did not get enough coverage. It occurred to me as I spoke to a person with a mother who is at home and needs constant care.  Because her mother was on Medicaid, a qualifying factor, this caregiver could apply for reimbursement of her time.

Fortunately I could afford to support my brother who needed 24/7 care, but it is very expensive and not many of us can afford it. The first thing I needed to do after the life threatening heart emergency my brother suffered, was to evaluate his finances.  I then hired counsel who specialized in elder care and Medicaid for advice. My brother would have qualified for Medicaid at the time.  But my brother had passed three years before the Executive Order was issued.

Now with a 96 year-old Mom to care for, I again look at how neglected this part of our economy remains.

It is hopeful to see the Harris/Walz campaign making this part of the talking points not only at the Democratic Convention but also on the campaign trail. Let’s finally heal the caregivers amongst us and recognize their contribution to our economy and culture.