You won’t know the difficulties of caregiving until you become a caregiver. Many people take on the challenge because it involves someone they love. In the US, 53 million people have assumed this role and then struggled to make it work. Much of the challenge surrounds organizing and storing critical documents, so you’re prepared when you need them.
Personal Experience and Valuable Caregiving Resources
When Michael Picon’s good friend experienced a bad fall, he stepped in to help without knowing what to expect. He realized his biggest hurdle was locating and gathering essential documents, vital information, and passwords in various places without the help of the person who created them.
“I was in tears at one point. I just needed to put everything down in one place.”— Michael Picon
It took five years before he decided to write his books: The Caregiver’s Notebook and The Power of Attorney’s Notebook, to help other caretakers store critical information, such as medical history, conditions and treatment, and legal documents like advance directives, with a weekly care journal and planner.
Michael designed and launched online applications for Vogue and Vanity Fair and understands that digital solutions work well in many situations. But as a caregiver of a loved one, he ditched technology and published two print books to help caregivers instead.
He chose to print books so caretakers wouldn’t be dependent on technology and accessing the internet or using a smartphone while speaking to nursing home directors or government assistant representatives. These professionals need actual documents or accurate details about the individual in need to provide critical information about services and benefits. Technology requires login and password information that could be a barrier in these situations.
Strategies to Reduce Caregiving-Related Stress
Michael’s books discuss the fact that, in 2020, 61% of caregivers were women. Thus, women continue to carry the burden in both formal and informal roles. Caretaking requires compassion, patience, and empathy. However, it also takes organization and perseverance. Unfortunately, many caretakers are unpaid and forego career advancement and personal time to protect their loved ones. This creates stress on top of the mountains of paperwork.
Caregiving requires a strategy to solve a myriad of medical and administrative problems. These tangible books help you start the caretaking journey by highlighting what’s most important, making everyone’s life a little easier.
Michael J. Young can help you gather information to ensure your loved one gets the quality care and treatment they need and the financial resources necessary to pay for it. After all, caretaking is a labor of love. Thankfully, we provide guidance and support to minimize the stress and uncertainty in your role. We are in the process of updating our book about elder care. Finally, more copies will be available upon completion of that update.
About Walnut Creek Elder Law in Walnut Creek, California
Michael J. Young is an experienced elder law, estate planning and asset protection planning attorney in Walnut Creek, CA. Mr. Young advises his clients regarding their estate planning needs with an emphasis on asset protection, Medi-Cal qualification, and preservation of assets for various levels of their care as they get older. Mr. Young’s journey into elder law began when his mother suffered from an acute injury that required her to be in a skilled nursing facility. He is co-author of the book, Don’t Go Broke in A Nursing Home and is the author of the “Alzheimer’s Legal Survival Guide.” Mr. Young presents monthly workshops in Walnut Creek regarding estate planning, asset protection, and Medi-Cal planning. He has helped many clients over the years successfully qualify for Medi-Cal and has protected their assets from state recovery. Call today to schedule a consultation (925) 256-0298.