April 2022

“The closest thing to being cared for is to care for someone else.”
– Carson McCullers, The Square Root of Wonderful

Greetings!

Caring and caregiving are essential aspects of our life. We care for our families, children, communities, and the planet. That caring can be expressed as a hug, sharing a meal, or mirroring and magnifying someone's brilliance. While caring and caregiving can be a deep, healing, and rewarding experience, it can also be challenging ... and finding ways to care for ourselves is essential.

In my work with clients, I feel one of my highest callings is to be a caregiver. There is a difference between taking care of clients and caring for clients. Taking care of clients emphasizes objective, professional care based on technical and behavioral aspects of my expertise as a fiduciary advisor. It involves action plans, and as long as they're adhered to, they ensure good outcomes. Whereas caring for clients is a heart-based way of interacting with them. It entails being mindful and emotionally present for them. It expresses genuine care and concern for clients and their life experiences simply because they are human beings. It's a privilege to be invited into their lives intimately and accompany them on their life journey.

This month, our articles share ways to provide caregiving through financial planning, helping your loved ones make decisions that can positively impact their financial future. As an advisor, with support from the entire Buckingham team, I am here to answer your questions and provide care for your financial well-being.

Dream. Plan. Prosper.
HOW TO HANDLE THE HIGH COST OF CAREGIVING
There are 48 million caregivers in the United States, most of them women, who are spending upwards of $7,000 per year in expenses and 24 hours per week to help their loved ones. The vast majority are not being paid for their work. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to lay out a plan to follow. Here are some suggestions to get you going. Read more >
PLANNING FOR A LOVED ONE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
By not planning for the future of your loved one with special needs, you could unknowingly miss out on valuable benefits or disrupt their lifestyle. Read more >
WHY US LAWS MUST EXPAND BEYOND THE NUCLEAR FAMILY
How can we provide better care for members of non-traditional families? Diana Adams, JD, Yale and Cornell educated civil rights activist coaches people how to get clarity about social and economic rights and benefits for members of our society who are not a part of the nuclear family model, which, by the way, is no longer the norm in the US. Listen here >
REFRAMING THE SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMING DECISION FOR MARRIED COUPLES
Let’s face it . . . nobody wants to leave Social Security dollars on the table because of a less-than-ideal claiming decision. Read more >
THE SURPRISING DOWNSIZE OF EMPATHY
The sharing of suffering can lead to “empathic distress,” resulting in apathy, withdrawal, and feelings of helplessness, and can even be bad for your health. During the pandemic, a sense of empathy fatigue has become of particular concern among caregivers, such as those working in mental health support or hospital doctors and nurses. Read more >
(Credit: Getty Images)
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