LNN Spotlight focuses on major issues important to local Hispanic/Latino and underrepresented communities — stay updated on the monthly series by following us on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and Radio Public.
On this episode of LNN Spotlight, Reporter/Editor Belén Dumont speaks with AARP New Hampshire State Director Christina FitzPatrick on the different types of long-term care available, how employers can support caregivers in balancing work and their at-home responsibilities, and AARP resources that are available to help families.
“There’s a whole team of people working on developing new resources and better resources,” FitzPatrick said about AARP’s online resources. “So, there’s new stuff coming up all the time.”
The decision to become a family caregiver is different for everyone. Some may feel more prepared than others—either way, there are many factors to think about when deciding between types of home care or long-term care facilities for a loved one.
FitzPatrick recommends that families have conversations about long-term care early on, before a crisis emerges, so they have more time to fully explore their options.
“It’s important for people to talk about what kinds of care they would most like to have, assess what their financial resources are, and then make a decision from there,” said FitzPatrick.
These discussions on long-term care can be difficult to have but FitzPatrick emphasizes that there is a wide range of services available, which vary in cost and quality, depending on a person’s specific needs.
“…Do what’s best for the person in your care and yourself,” said FitzPatrick. “If you care for someone with intense medical needs, it can have a bad effect on your own health because you…are not taking care of yourself. It’s tough but it’s important to put these decisions in perspective.”
When someone decides to become a caregiver, Fitzpatrick said it’s important for them to develop a support system that will help with different areas of care. She also pointed out that there are resources available to assist caregivers, whether that’s contracting a home health aide, modifying their home to make it safer, or using phone apps to stay organized.
“It’s important to make a plan for how you’re going to provide care,” said FitzPatrick. “What are different roles and responsibilities and, importantly, who is going to be the lead?”
FitzPatrick also discussed the different ways employers can support their employees who are caregivers, which include giving them some schedule flexibility, allowing individuals to use their paid sick leave for caregiving responsibilities, and providing employer resources groups.
“A lot of bigger employers have community resource groups where people come together who are facing a certain life situation,” explained FitzPatrick. “You could have a resource group that is for…caregivers and who could use the support and guidance of other people in that situation.”
Lastly, FitzPatrick shared how AARP New Hampshire advocates for the continuation of medicare coverage for telehealth visits, which first began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We think it’s really important for coverage of telehealth visits to continue. Because it is efficient and it keeps [immunocompromised individuals] safe,” said FitzPatrick. “So, there are a lot of benefits to telehealth that it’s good to take advantage of.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED
- The AARP Website, which includes in-depth guides, helpful videos, and informative articles: www.AARP.com/caregiving
- AARP’s Toll-Free Family Caregiving Line at [English] 1-877-333-5885 and [Spanish] 1-888-971-2013, which is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
- AARP’s Family Caregiver Resources for New Hampshire: https://states.aarp.org/new-hampshire/caregiver-resources?CMP=OTH-CAREGIVING-STATEGUIDE-NH
- AARP’s Family Caregivers Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aarpfamilycaregivers/?intcmp=AE-CAR-CRC-LL
Publisher’s Note: AARP New Hampshire and New Hampshire Latino News are proud partners in providing greater visibility and voice to local Hispanic-Latino communities.