Do you provide care and support to a family member who is elderly, ill or has a disability? “You are not alone, many Iowans are caregivers”, says Phyllis Zalenski, Human Sciences Specialist in Family Finance with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Most families wait until they are deep into their responsibilities of caregiving for a loved one before they seek out options. They are faced with many financial questions and do not understand the serious financial consequences of caregiving.
What are the wishes of the family member regarding care and how much will it cost? What types of care are available in the community and are they affordable? What funds are available to pay for care? If a family member needs to leave work or reduce hours to provide care, how will that impact the caregiver’s finances and future retirement? “Finances of Caregiving” is a four week series that will provide the answers to these questions and more.
“By planning ahead, a care receiver can involve all members of the family in the decisions and develop a plan that works well for both care receivers and caregivers,” said Zalenski. The workshop series includes development of a notebook of financial records, presentations by community experts, case studies, and lots of discussion.
The program will be held on Tuesdays from May 16 to June 6, 2017 at Milestones Area Agency on Aging from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The registration fee is $35 per family. For more information and to receive registration information, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach, Scott County office at 563-359-7577.
