Anna Nahlupin, designated representative and personal assistant to her family members, speaks to Spectrum News on being a “sandwich caregiver”
Anna Nahlupin is the designated representative for her son, Valeriy Nalhupin, who was born with spina bifida. She hires, trains, schedules and terminates if needed, the caregivers for Valeriy. Anna is also a caregiver, or personal assistant, to her Uncle, Anatoly Orlioglo, who has down syndrome. Anna is considered a sandwich caregiver, or someone who is responsible for family members a generation above and below her. “I have to manage everything. It’s like manager’s work,” said Anna. With the help of Consumer Directed Choices, she says the process has been much easier. Anna has been affiliated with Consumer Directed Choices since 2014. Anna says, “being such a close family, it’s a privilege to be able to care for her loved ones, no matter how stressful it can be. Working with Consumer Directed Choices has given me some flexibility. Even if my child is sick, I can always get paid time off.”
