Support given here

5:28 p.m. Today's project was to attend the Alzheimer/Dementia caregiver support group held by the Riverside County Office of Aging. They arranged for a very nice gentleman caregiver from the Home Instead agency to stay with Steve for the 2 1/2 hour duration of my driving and the class.


I was somewhat loath to go, since I'm stilll in the writing phase of the Thursday morning I Samuel study, but since I had rsvp'ed and care arrangements had been made, I went. It was so refreshing to be greeted even in the parking lot as another member of the class pulled up the same time I did. We really did form a bond during the first 6 weeks of classes, even though each of us has a different scenario at home. Steve is by far the youngest victim; and only the very oldest family caregivers are caring for a spouse. The rest share care for an affected parent with their siblings or spouse.


The presentation today was given by a lawyer, an expert on elder issues, and much detail was taught to us about powers of attorney for finances and healthcare, wills, living and irrevocable trusts, "do not resuscitate" orders, and end of life care preferences. I am thankful that the Lord has led us to purchase the long term care insurance that funds Steve's caregivers on a regular basis, except the ones arranged for this class by the Office of Aging. We've also completed Advance Directives that our kids and doctor have copies of, as well as Steve's Medicare provider Caremore. I have sent all of our banks and insurance companies signed powers of attorney.

Being a firm believer in wise preparation, I quote Proverbs 27:12a to myself:


A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself...


In other words, take whatever means you have to look ahead and protect your family! I also have long term care coverage, so our kids won't have additional burdens either if that day comes when I might be incapacitated, and they need to work daily or care for their own little ones. We never know what a day may bring, but we can act in a diligent manner with the information we do have, and act upon what we see!


Yet God holds His people accountable for more than practical matters of daily living and temporal well being, important as they are. Jesus once rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees for being utterly devoid of spiritual discernment as they rejected Him and challenged Him to "show them a sign from heaven." Hear Matthew 16: 2-3:


He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red;' and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, because the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times."


Heavenly Father, may we not only seek You and the wise counsel You have generously provided in Your word to guide our living, but may we store up spiritual treasure, make Spirit-led decisions and provisions for our loved ones now and for eternity! In Jesus' name, amen.