Caregiving Begins in the Planting Season

March 13, 2026

Submitted By Nancy R. Poland
Grace’s Message

When my dad had advanced Lewy body dementia, he lived in a nursing home for 16 months. At visits, I would ask myself, “What can I do to make this visit enjoyable for Dad and me?” I tried different ideas, some successful, other times he appeared oblivious. Since then, in my studies of caregiving resources, I have come across more ideas.

Make a plan and enjoy the caregiving journey.

In this article, you will find many tips and tricks to support couples who are interested in traveling. As I write this article, it is mid-March. Spring is coming! Farmers and gardeners have already been planning for the growing season. They may have a map or chart that tells them where to plant which crops, what fertilizer to use, and that water is accessible when needed. They are gathering all the right tools, including checking whether the major equipment needs maintenance. These steps will help bring on a successful growing season.

What if the grower did not make plans? Say they just bought seeds, spread them willy-nilly around in the dirt, and hoped for the best. They do not prepare the soil, water is not easily accessible, and they do not plan for those annoying pests that can destroy plants.

It is likely that this grower will not have much success.

How Caregivers Plan Ahead

We can compare caregiving to planting season. Planning ahead and anticipating what could happen in the future will lay the groundwork for a successful caregiving season. Are your loved ones aging? Is a child or adult with disabilities growing older, and their needs are changing? Is there an unfortunate diagnosis that will mean changes in our loved one’s lives and in the caregiver’s plans? What strategies can be implemented to proactively prepare for an effective caregiving season?

Young people – Will you be responsible for taking care of a parent or other loved one someday? If so, this is for you.

Older folks, have you set the course so that your family will not need to leave the workplace or spend their family resources taking care of you? You also need to pay attention.

When was the last time your family sat down to discuss what the future may hold?

My advice: Develop your own “spring planting plan” for the future; prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

What steps can you take to plan for a successful caregiving season?

Have the Tough Conversation

It is not easy to have conversations with family members about money, assets, bills, funeral plans, and our vision for our future. The caregiver may need to initiate that hard conversation with a loved one. When my parents were aging, I had to have a hard conversation about what was going on with my dad, who was exhibiting signs of dementia, and how he was spending excessive amounts of money. It was tough. Dad was quiet and defensive, and Mom was crying. But we had to get through it to turn their lives around and set them on a sustainable path for the rest of their lives.

Planning Ahead is Key

It is never too early to start planning a garden – and to plan for caregiving. Take these steps before a crisis ensues.

Ensure that all necessary legal documents are complete and reviewed on a regular basis. An elder-care attorney can be spendy; however, the legal advice could save significant money and heartache in the future.
Examine your loved one’s future living situation. Can you transform their home into a safe place as they age? Would it be helpful (and possible) to live near them?
Start looking for alternative housing before your loved one needs to move. If they have Alzheimer’s or another dementia, you can be assured they will eventually need more care, possibly more than the family can give. Despite our planning, Dad, living alone, fell and could not get up. He was brought by ambulance to a hospital, where he stayed several days. The hospital called on a Friday morning, “Your dad needs to leave today. Have you checked out nursing homes he could go to?” No, we had not done so. Fortunately, the hospital social worker found a good temporary placement for him while we looked for long-term care.
When looking at housing, such as a nursing home, make sure you understand the Medical Assistance (Medicaid) rules, and if they will be needed to pay future expenses. If so, keep the five-year look-back requirement for Medicaid in mind. Find information on this in this video I made with Kevin Price, with the Price of Business show: Medicaid and the Five-Year Lookback Period – a Must Know – USA Daily Chronicles.
If they are veterans or a spouse of a veteran, there are multiple resources available. Contact your local Veterans Service Officer.

Important Considerations for Your Finances

In an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Carla Fried wrote, “Millions of Women – yes, it’s mostly women – end up in midlife weighing a temporary work exit to care for ailing parents. The economic cost can be devastating.”

This, of course, can also apply to men, as they may be the primary caregiver. Families may find themselves juggling a job, children, and an aging parent. Solo caregivers are especially vulnerable when taking on the care of another person.

Are you in the throes of a decision-making phase about your role in caring for an aging loved one? Consider the following:

Think carefully before claiming Social Security early. There is a higher guaranteed payout if you wait until your full retirement age (depending on the year of your birth), and there is an even greater payout at age 70.
When a sibling leaves the workforce to provide care for a parent, other family members may offer financial compensation or contribute to the caregiver’s retirement funds to help mitigate any reduction in retirement savings.
If the care partner lives in their own housing or with you, research the cost and availability of paying for home care. You may be able to use your care partner’s funds. Home care is not covered by Medicare (except for short-term needs under a physician’s care). Keep good records of what you pay, and to whom.
Explore available benefits such as Social Security Disability (if the loved one is under 65), veterans’ benefits, Medicare Supplemental Plans, Medicaid, or community resources. Your county or state could also have benefits for the elderly or disabled.

Alzheimer’s Speaks and Dementia Map have many resources for caregivers and their care partners. Take time to search for the answers to your questions and find new information.

Conclusion

The bottom line? Just as a planter needs to plan, it is critical for caregivers to plan for the best and worst future scenarios to determine an appropriate course of action. Understand the financial and legal situation, consider the costs of caregiving and its potential impact on you, and explore community resources, such as housing, before they are needed.

And finally, take time to notice the beauty within your caregiving journey, as there is plenty to discover.

Nancy R. Poland, Grace’s Message

Nancy R. Poland shares her passion for helping caregivers live with grace and hope. Her website has a wealth of information for caregivers. It provides tailored resources, highlights of her books, hope for those who have experienced loss, valuable insights regarding dementia, improving seniors’ lives, health care news, and more. Nancy also shares a personal page on loss that has resources for processing grief.