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When a Spouse Becomes a Caregiver

by Marcie Johnson

aring for a seriously ill spouse can trigger relationship and potential fixes. Medical recommendations need to be
challenges. In the process of change, you can lose your prioritized so that the caregiver can be a positive, encouraging
Cbest friend, your love, and your future as you both had reinforcement rather than a nagging, stress-inducing reminder
imagined it. Promises will change from words spoken in oath that can trigger frustrations on both sides.
on your wedding If family and friends are
day to deeds of care willing to help lighten the
in your mostly, but load, it is imperative to
not exclusively, accept help. Review your
older years. The new insurance plans as many
caregiver morphs give some level of coverage
from a loving of home nursing services,
spouse into their occupational, and physical
new role, which is therapy. These services
an entirely different can improve your partner's
sort of relationship abilities and safety in your
of primary service. home.
In more tragic cases,
the caregiver can Recognize that you are not
become distant to alone in your struggle. Don't
the marital bond, let a serious illness shake the
struggling with foundation of your marriage.
feelings of loss, fear, Identify your roles and set
anger, resentment, or structure to address the
misunderstanding. issues at hand, and in the
It’s a situation no spouse looks forward to on either side of face of the unknown, you both will be better for it.•
the equation. A loving couple does not look forward to the day
when they either must watch and tend to the mortal decline of
their spouse or, conversely, be the spouse who feels wracked
a tremendous caregiving burden on their spouse. No matter ATTENTION VETERANS:
with guilt feelings knowing their health problems are placing

the desire to avoid the experience, very few married couples DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE TAX FREE
will elude the complication that serious illness brings to their
shared lives. Sadly, the needs of the caregiving spouse are INCOME AVAILABLE FROM THE VA?
often overlooked at a time when they need renewed strength to
support their partner in new ways.
Many new spousal caregivers will feel the complications of If you served 90 days active duty and at least 1 of those days
isolation. Family members and close friends may not visit, was during a period of war, you may qualify for the VA pension.
not help, or even ignore the couple struggling to create new A surviving spouse may also be eligible.
behavioral norms. Reports have stated that 55 percent of older
spouses experience their end of life caregiving years without Call The Johnson Firm at
help from children, other family members, or even paid home (972) 497-1010 Today to Learn More!
health aides. The entirely new sort of relationship that becomes
forged between husband and wife becomes defined by illness
and lost emotional connections.
The need then becomes the focus on what to do to improve
the situation. The first is the caregiving spouse needs an
accurate understanding of the condition, treatment, prognosis,
and needs of their ill spouse, whether they are diagnosed with
dementia, cancer, heart failure, kidney dysfunction, or another Estate Planning | VA Pension
serious illness. The information needs to come directly from
attending physicians and health care providers. Caregivers Probate & Guardianship | Medicaid Planning
need to participate in medical appointments and become an
active participant in identifying health and wellness issues Visit our website at johnsonfirmpc.com

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