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Caregiving for someone you love, family, friend, or someone in need.  You too must find time for self-care and assistance.   Melinda and I (Karen Hale, Producer) discuss caregiving in person or virtually.  

Technology allows us to communicate with "the individual" and their medical team using various sources.  However, prior to any illness or medical need, having your paper-work in tack is essential.  Melinda is serving as her brother's Medical Power of Attorney - however as long as he is mentally capable of making his own decisions, she is on RED ALERT with all the legal paperwork that has been filed.  (A medical power of attorney form (MPOA) allows a person (“principal”) to select an agent to make healthcare decisions on their behalf. The agent's powers are effective after the principal becomes incapacitated or cannot make decisions on their own.) https://eforms.com/power-of-attorney/medical/ 

Additional information to assist you in being an Advocate or Care Provider is to recognize your strengths and weaknesses.  Your individual is counting on you to help make good decisions, seek assistance through their medical team, and do not be afraid to connect with Hospice if no other reason that to provide you with peace of mind.  It is also important to have financial arrangements discussed before anyone gets ill or has an accident - establishing a Durable Power of Attorney for Financials is needed - do not hesitate to start asking questions and plan ahead.  ***Our children at the age of 18 are technically emancipated they too should have all this paperwork filled out.  Your young adult child may be placed in the hands of the Court if they were to become ill or injured.  As a parent unless specified in the documents we discuss is completed, you will have no say into their care. 

 https://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/power-of-attorney-form 

The 2020 update reveals an increase in the number of family caregivers in the United States of 9.5 million from 2015 to 2020.  

Please reach out to Melinda on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/melindasmithhearmojo 

newclevelandradio@gmail.com