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Helpful tips for family caregivers

Is your family member a hoarder?

We all accumulate belongings over the years. But when is it too much?

According to Michael Tompkins, PhD, author of Digging Out, your family member may be in the early stages of a hoarding disorder if he or she:

• Keeps parts of the home off-limits and the curtains drawn.
• Talks with you endlessly about the stuff. You’ve stated your concerns, offered help, even gotten angry, and yet there’s no action.
• Gets overwhelmed decluttering even a small area. It becomes a major job that can take more than a few hours or days.
• Often fails to pay bills. Not necessarily for lack of money, but because the bills can’t be located. Or the stamps. Or the checkbook.
• Is in debt because of compulsive shopping.
• Has trouble finding things and resists storing belongings out of sight.
• Puts off home repairs. He or she may not recognize the need. Or may not want to let a repairperson see the house.
• Insists on meeting you at your home. This avoids embarrassment or confrontation about the clutter.
• Rents one or more storage units. There is a seemingly unquenchable need for more storage space.
• Will not let you touch or borrow his or her possessions. Possessions are guarded fiercely and may be treated as if they are “friends.”

If these symptoms look familiar, your family member may well have a hoarding disorder. He or she literally lacks the ability to eliminate clutter. Suggestions for next steps:

• Don’t rush to action. Force will only alienate your loved one. By maintaining your relationship, however, you may be able to help manage the problem.
• Learn more. The most extensive research on hoarding has been done by scientists studying obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Consider professional help. Especially if there are safety risks. Consider a geriatric care manager, or in extreme cases, Adult Protective Services.

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Tax breaks for family caregivers

If you are providing support to an aging family member, do some homework before filing your tax return.

You may be entitled to claim your relative as a dependent. This requires that:

• The individual’s income was less than $3,650 in 2010. “Income” includes Social Security and pension benefits. Also, proceeds from investments or withdrawals from retirement savings plans.
• You paid more than 50% of your relative’s support. He or she does not have to live with you. Support expenses include food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Also, transportation, recreation, and other essentials. If he or she lived with you, include fair rental value for your family member’s share of the lodging.

Many relatives qualify. Your parents and siblings. Other family relatives, step relatives, and in-laws. Or anyone who lived with you all year.

If others paid some support expenses, a deduction is still possible. But only one person can claim it. And everyone who shared expenses must sign a multiple support agreement.

You may be able to deduct medical expenses.

• This includes expenses paid for yourself, your spouse, or a dependent relative. Or for a relative who would have qualified as a dependent but had too much income or filed a joint return.
• The expenses must add to more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). For example, if your AGI is $40,000, the first $3,000 of expenses doesn’t count.

Look closely at what is considered medical expense. Some examples:

• Home improvements, such as grab bars and ramps
• Glasses, dental care, hearing aids
• Doctor’s fees, lab fees, prescription drugs
• Insurance premiums, including Medicare
• Care facility or nursing home fees (if residency is the result of medical need)
• Personal care for disability or cognitive impairment
• Car mileage related to medical care (16.5 cents/mile)

Ask a tax specialist for more details.

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