Providing asset protection, support and guidance to families, I realize that the cost of care is not usually understood. Our typical client is not aware that planning for care is similar to planning for a child's education; there is a need to plan ahead or you may not end up where you want to be or end up paying too much. The need for planning is becoming more important as our nation's demographics are evolving to a situation that has never been seen before. The nation's population of senior citizens is about to rise to historic levels. By year's end,…
A disaster may vary by size and intensity, tornado, hurricane, or earthquake. However, the direct effect to a senior (due to evacuations, loss of care and home) is detrimental on their quality of life. Evacuations effect and disrupt their daily activities. Assisted living, long-term care facilities and caregivers have clients who may be immobile, require medical equipment, medications and nursing care. There is jtress does not magnify the issues already being dealt with by both patient and caregiver. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations identified evacuations and multiple transfers as a major problem for seniors i.e. wildfires in…
Hospital discharge personnel must tell you what level of care is required after you leave the hospital. Also, you need to know what medications and therapies should be taken and when. Suppose family members are told that 24-hour-a-day supervision is needed; then you should ask if this means assisted living or some other interpretation. Additionally, if medications change when in the hospital, find out what should be taken and when. You should control your own placement. Before you leave the hospital, you or your family should know where you want to go. Do not depend exclusively on someone inside the…
Adult daycare centers and in-home senior care are both excellent choices that permit elderly and disabled adults to live at home rather than move into a nursing home or assisted living facility. In order to make the best choice for your family, it’s helpful to learn what each offers before deciding which best suits your situation. Either choice allows family caregivers to: • Keep a full or part-time job; • Have help with the physical needs involved with care; • Obtain respite from what can be a 24-hour responsibility; • Reclaim your relationship as spouse, son or daughter rather than…
Being responsible for an elderly loved one can mean adopting a rather rigid schedule and lifestyle, especially if you are the primary caregiver. How, then, do you travel? It can be a logistical nightmare, whether the travel is elective or necessary. Regardless, understanding some of the challenges and workarounds in advance can make the travel more manageable. The New Old Age blog at The New York Times recently offered some food for thought on this important subject. The big question is whether your elderly parent is traveling with you. If the travel involves you alone for business or pleasure, then…
In the not too distant past residential options, for your aging parents, were a move to a nursing home or living with you. However, times have changed with assisted living facilities and home care agencies. Consequently, these options can potentially provide a new lease on life, for your parents, whether it be for a short time or for many years. Home care varies, depending on your parent’s needs and resources, from full-time or part-time assistance. Are you're parents unsteady on their feet, a fall risk, not taking their medications, eating enough, require some caregiving assistance, or help with housework? Therefore,…
“When you buy a car or a house, you expect to haggle for the best price. It turns out that you can do the same thing when you shop for long-term care.” There are some things you just don’t haggle about but, perhaps contrary to what you would guess, it turns out that long-term care isn’t one of those things. Long-term care is expensive, to say the least, but as explained in a recent article in SmartMoney, there are some expenses that may be negotiable. Nursing homes usually will not negotiate fees, but you may be able to negotiate with…
Senior veteran households represent 55% of the 22.7 million veterans in the United States. However, most veterans are unaware of aid and attendance benefits. We provided a free seminar on service and non-service connected pensions, recently, with over 120 people attending. Only, one veteran had heard of aid and attendance benefits, and only about 5% of qualified U.S. senior veterans are actually receiving this benefit. Veterans you need to be aware of this benefit to offset the costs of assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and home care. For more information see our previous blogs, including Most Veterans are unaware that…
The following is an estimate of the costs of the varying types of senior care for your aging parents: Telephone Calls – Telephone home call "care" can cost approximately 40 per month, for safety checks, medication management, etc. Home Care – Depending if you hire an agency, approximate costs $20 per hour, $7,500 for 24/7 care; or a private individual approximately $10 per hour, although you have to pay taxes, insurance on top. Respite Care – Otherwise, known as Hospice, can be paid by Medicare. Visiting Nurses – If treatment prescribed by physician, may be covered by Medicare or Medicaid….
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