In this episode of Your Future Self, Christopher MacLellan and Monica Stanchula cover the landscape of caregiving, government support, and tax credits for family caregivers. They discuss the challenges faced by family caregivers and the importance of tax credits in alleviating financial burdens. Additionally, they highlight the Credit for Caring Act of 2024 and its potential impact on caregivers. The conversation emphasizes the need for better record-keeping and the bipartisan nature of caregiving advocacy.

You can see the video podcast here:

https://youtu.be/NJ-_2sWCMQw

Keywords

caregiving, tax credits, family caregivers, government support, Credit for Caring Act, bipartisan advocacy, financial burden, record-keeping

Takeaways

The landscape of caregiving and the challenges faced by family caregivers are complex and multifaceted.

Tax credits play a crucial role in alleviating the financial burden on family caregivers and are an important aspect of government support.

The Credit for Caring Act of 2024 has bipartisan support and aims to provide tax credits to caregivers, highlighting the growing recognition of caregiving as a significant social issue.

Better record-keeping is essential for caregivers to benefit from tax credits and financial support.

Advocacy for caregivers is bipartisan and aims to address the diverse needs of caregivers from various backgrounds and circumstances.

Titles

The Importance of Record-Keeping for Caregivers

Navigating the Landscape of Caregiving and Tax Credits

Sound Bites

"Your ability to interact with the care system and your rights being honored as a caregiver and your ability to get the information and the services that you need at home are better than the other states."

"This bill would give a caregiver a tax credit of up to $5,000 for 30% of the long-term care expenses not to exceed $2,000 in a taxable year."

What are your priorities when planning for your future care?

We conclude Season One of Your Future Self by "Putting It All Together" so you can find your path to Healthy Aging.

That's because "Your Future Self is in your control!"

Summary > Show Notes

In this episode, Monica and Chris recap the pillars of care that have been discussed throughout the series. They cover the importance of physical health, including setting daily intentions and spending time outdoors. They also discuss the social aspect of caregiving and the five stages of grief that caregivers often experience. The hosts then delve into the legal and financial issues that caregivers need to consider, such as getting organized and creating a budget. Finally, they explore the role of spirituality in caregiving and the power of sharing one's story. The episode concludes with a message of gratitude and encouragement for listeners to continue planning for their future selves.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Recap

02:22 Physical Health

05:17 Social Health

13:27 Legal and Financial Issues

20:20 Spirituality

23:40 Conclusion

What are your priorities when planning for your future care?

In this episode of Your Future Self, we introduce you to our Spiritual Pillar of Care,

On the Whole Care Network, we understand spirituality can have different meanings for everyone. And we respect and embrace all spirituality.

Our spiritual pillar is focused on the entire person, rather a holistic point of view of all the aspects of you that are revealed in your role as a caregiver.

Our Spiritual Pillar will demonstrate the healing power of storytelling and how sharing one's story can bring you inner peace and comfort.

Summary > Show Notes

In this episode, Monica and Chris discuss the spiritual pillar of care and how it relates to holistic well-being and caregiving. They emphasize the importance of taking control of one's actions and reactions, especially in the face of compassion fatigue. The hosts also highlight the power of telling one's story as a way to find validation, comfort, and direction. They encourage listeners to look beyond caregiving and consider their future selves, including their aspirations and desires for life after caregiving ends. The episode concludes with a discussion on the connection and support found within the caregiver tribe.

Takeaways

Take control of your actions and reactions, especially in the face of compassion fatigue.

Telling your story can provide validation, comfort, and direction.

Consider your future self and what you want for your life after caregiving ends.

Find connection and support within the caregiver tribe.

Chapters

00:0 Introduction to the Spiritual Pillar

03:17 Compassion Fatigue and Taking Control

06:41 The Power of Telling Your Story

09:07 Looking Beyond Caregiving

12:29 Finding Personal Identity and Direction

15:46 Accepting the End and Planning for the Future

19:19 The Connection and Support of the Caregiver Tribe

21:46 Conclusion and Call to Action

What are your priorities when planning for your future care?

In this episode of Your Future Self we introduce you to our Social Pillar of Care.

All too often, and unnecessarily, caregiving is a lonely undertaking for you and your loved one.

Over time and all too often, caregiving breeds isolation. Loss of social outlets and limited interactions with family and friends are common which can lead to depression and despair.

While caregiving can be hard, there are great joys too.

Our Social Pillar will provide you with the tools to help you stay connected to your hobbies, your friends, and your family and how to create a care team to help alleviate some of the caregiving burden and maintain those vital social ties.

Download Your Future Self Social Pillar of Care tips for this episode HERE

Summary

In this episode, hosts Christopher MacLellan and Monica Stinchula discuss the social side of caregiving and the potential hazards of social distancing. They explore the impact of caregiving on identity and perception of danger, as well as the concept of compassion fatigue and emotional bankruptcy. The hosts emphasize the importance of moving forward after caregiving and taking care of one's social self. They also discuss the changes in relationships that occur during and after caregiving and the five stages of grief. The episode concludes with a focus on rebuilding social connections and engaging in self-reflection.

Takeaways

• Social distancing can lead to a potential hazard of cutting oneself off from others, emphasizing the importance of maintaining social connections.
• Caregivers often lose their identity and purpose in the midst of caregiving, and it is important to prioritize self-care.
• The caregiving experience can impact one's perception of danger and lead to feelings of numbness and desensitization.
• Compassion fatigue and emotional bankruptcy are common among caregivers, and it is important to recognize and address these issues.
• Moving forward after caregiving involves rebuilding one's life and social connections and taking action to create a fulfilling future.
• Rebuilding social connections is vital for caregivers, and it is important to nurture authentic relationships that provide support and companionship.

Chapters

00:00

The Potential Hazards of Social Distancing

06:26

Losing Identity and Purpose as a Caregiver

09:00

The Impact of Caregiving on Perception of Danger

13:14

Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Bankruptcy

16:20

Moving Forward After Caregiving

18:26

Taking Care of Your Social Self

22:11

Relationship Changes After Caregiving

24:25

The Five Stages of Grief

26:01

Moving from Acceptance to Action

What are your priorities when planning for your future care?

In this episode of Your Future Self, we introduce you to our Physical Pillar of Care.

The Physical Pillar is often most prominent because it is usually a physical ailment of a loved one that results in you becoming a caregiver.

Unfortunately, the focus on addressing the physical needs of your loved ones causes you to ignore your own physical needs, limiting your ability to manage your stress and provide optimal care.

Self-care is easier said than done. However, self-care is not selfish. It's a priority, and our goal is to help you plan for your future care by allowing you to make self-care a priority in your life.

Download Your Future Self Physical Pillar of Care tips for this episode HERE.

Visit Credit For Caring

SHOW NOTES:

Summary

In this episode of Your Future Self, hosts Monica Stanchula and Christopher McClellan discuss the importance of self-care and how it is in our control to age successfully. They emphasize the need for caregivers to prioritize their own well-being and not lose themselves in the caregiving journey. The hosts also introduce the concept of the four pillars of care, with a focus on the physical pillar. They discuss the PARQ questionnaire as a tool to assess readiness for exercise and the importance of sleep for caregivers. Additionally, they introduced the Credit for Caring program, which offers discounted products for caregivers.

Takeaways

Self-care is essential for caregivers to maintain their own well-being.

Building healthy habits, such as setting daily intentions and practicing gratitude, can contribute to self-care.

The PARQ questionnaire is a useful tool to assess readiness for exercise.

Sleep is crucial for caregivers and should be prioritized.

The Credit for Caring program offers discounted products to support caregivers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:15 The Importance of Self-Care

08:07 Building Healthy Habits

12:50 The PARQ Questionnaire

19:03 The Impact of Caregiving on Sleep

23:54 Credit for Caring

26:28 Favorite Tip for Physical Self-Care

27:53 Closing Remarks

Monica Stynchula and Christopher MacLellan team up again for another informative podcast series to introduce you to the Whole Care Network's 4 Pillars of Care by asking you one simple question: How do you want to be cared for as you age? By planning now, successful aging is in your control!

What are your priorities when planning for your future care?

In this episode of Your Future Self, we introduce you to our Financial Pillar of Care, which features special guests: The Caregiver Attorney, Amanda Singleton, and her husband, Ryan Singleton, a Consumer Affairs attorney from Singleton Legal.

Financial stress is overwhelming and can impact your overall well-being. Assessing the long-term financial impact of caregiving is critical.

Reduction or loss of income and increased healthcare costs often go hand-in-hand with caregiving. Ideally, financial plans were made by your loved one in anticipation of a need for long-term care. However, that is not the norm.

Our Financial Pillar is filled with real-life stories and expert advice to help you put a plan in place to keep your financial pillar level and firm.

Download Your Future Self Financial Care tips from Singleton Legal for this episode HERE

Summary - Show Notes

In this episode, hosts Monica Stanchula and Christopher MacLellan discuss the financial pillar of caregiving with experts Amanda Singleton and Ryan Singleton. They emphasize the importance of legal and financial planning, organizing, creating a budget, and separating personal and caregiving expenses. They also discuss the significance of signing documents as a power of attorney and the essential legal documents that caregivers should have. The conversation highlights the need for difficult discussions and caring for oneself and loved ones. The episode concludes with red flags for seeking legal advice.

Takeaways

Legal and financial planning is crucial for caregivers to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Getting organized and creating a budget are essential steps in managing caregiving expenses.

Caregivers should be cautious when signing documents as a power of attorney and ensure they understand their responsibilities.

Difficult conversations about end-of-life wishes and funeral planning are essential for caregivers and their loved ones.

Red flags for seeking legal advice include lawsuits, significant debt, and inability to pay monthly minimums.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:21 Introducing the Experts

06:14 The Importance of Legal and Financial Planning

07:11 Getting Organized and Creating a Budget

10:53 Separating Personal and Caregiving Expenses

13:41 Signing Documents as a Power of Attorney

17:29 Protecting Yourself Financially

21:49 The Importance of Having Difficult Conversations

26:52 Essential Legal Documents for Caregivers

31:03 Presenting Life Care Documents at Hospitals

35:38 Taking Care of Yourself and Your Loved Ones

39:41 Red Flags for Seeking Legal Advice

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