At some point in our lives we are each involved in some way for caring for family members. We care for young children. We care for teenagers. We care for our spouses. We care for siblings and aging parents and those who may be chronically or acutely ill or disabled. None of us escape this responsibility.
Some of this caretaking responsibility is expected and anticipated, such as having a new baby and learning the ropes of how to parent. Other times a crisis is forced upon us, and knowing what to do, and when, can cause us great anxiety and stress.
I have learned about a really helpful resource that I wanted to share with you, via Dear Abby. And, it is FREE!!
The Federal Citizen Information Center has created a free Family Caregivers Kit. It features publications from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that explains how to manage a loved one’s money and protect seniors from scams. And it also contains publications from the FDA’s Office of Women’s Health to keep track of medications and learn to use them safely. The kit is full of practical tips that give caregivers the confidence they need to manage a loved one’s affairs.
Dear Abby says that the 2014 publication is invaluable, particularly if you have aging relatives or a friend who may need you to handle his/her affairs, even for a short period of time.
These booklets are offered free of charge and include the “Managing Someone Else’s Money” series of publications, which cover Power of Attorney and managing Trusts, Property and Benefits. They are clearly written in an easy-to-understand format.
Also included is a pamphlet on using medications wisely. Another pamphlet shares information about recognizing and avoiding health scams, so you and your loved ones can watch out for miracles devices and cures that really are too good to be true.
In the kit you also receive a copy of the 2014 Consumer Action Handbook, which contains not only information you need to make the best decisions about what you buy and the service providers you use, but also a sample complaint letter to help you get results.
To order this free kit go to promotions.usa.gov/dearabby. You can also order the kit by calling 888-878-3256 weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, or by writing:
Family Caregivers Kit Pueblo, CO 81009
Every household should have this information on hand “just in case,” so order a kit for yourself and more to share.
Thanks, Abby!!!