Caretakers Financial

Author: Shannon Miller

By guest blogger Tammy Badida

I have received many requests to write about the impact that being terminally ill can have on your finances. Everyone’s situation is going to differ in this area. For our family it was a hard blow when my husband was no longer able to work because his job was our primary source of income.

We began to investigate and find resources in several different areas.

• Many of you may have family and friends that are willing and able to help you out with anything from paying bills to gift cards for groceries or gas.
• Your church can be a huge source of help in many areas and most of them have charitable funds in place to help families in needs.
• Fundraisers are another great way to help out.

There are also several local and state agencies that offer assistance but it will require some time to find out who offers what. If you know someone that can help you make calls and get information on what is available it can speed up the process and be less stressful for you. If you are in and out of the hospital a lot contact the on-site financial case worker and ask if there is any assistance your family may be eligible for. I found that you never know what may be available until you ask!

For cancer patients and caregivers, CancerCare (cancercare.org) provides some incredible resources for financial aid and support from national agencies. Any caretaker for a chronically ill patient should check out the online resources available for your local chapter of the United Way as well. This is a great place to get an idea of the non-profit or volunteer agencies in your area that may be able to provide direction or assistance in your time of financial need.

This is a humbling part of the journey as a caretaker, and depending on the severity of your loved ones illness you may be in charge of it all. I encourage you to accept help when offered and ask when you need it. Make those calls, get in contact with a medical social worker, and do what you need to do to alleviate the burden of financial strain. I look back with such a grateful heart at the many “angels” that bridged the financial gap for our family.

 “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”  -Winston Churchill

Tammy’s story of “Learning to Live” during a life-changing battle has encouraged and reached so many already and can be found at: www.thebadidas.blogspot.com.

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.–Author Unknown