Caregivers

 Will you be a caregiver?

We are caregivers for our kids from their very young age to adults.

We know that we will be caregivers for our parents as they age and need help. 

Traditionally, our Asian families have 3 generations living together under one proof. Now it all changes. We live in Virginia, my parents in-law live in California, and my parents are in Vietnam- more than 12-hour-flight away. 

Most of the times, our parents want to be as independent as possible but long to be close to their kids and grandkids. 

It is possible that we will do the same with our kids when we are aging. As parents, we don't want to be burdens on our kids. 

We may be caregivers for our friends or neighbors if they need help. 

But, do you know what caregivers look like?

I was surprised to learn this from Lloyd Lofton's newsletter: 

√ 59% of caregivers work full or part-time

√ 21% of adults care for someone

√ 83% care for relatives

√ 17% care for friends or neighbors

62% are married or living with a partner

61% of caregivers are women

And Lloyd gave a typical profile of a caregiver: 46-year-old employed women spending 20 hours a week caregiving.

 I was struck by his description. 

It will be me in 6 years. 

At that time, I will be sandwiched between taking care of my high-school kids and my parents in-law in the U.S. 

Or I have to fly back and forth between Vietnam and the U.S to take care of my aging parents. 

Now I need to plan for me and my parents in both sides. I have my LTC planning for me and my husband, but my parents don't. It's time to sit down with them and plan everything. 



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