Legal & Financial Planning for Special Needs Seminar - Nov 11‏

How Health Care Reform Can Help Pay for In-Home Care‏

How Health Care Reform Can Help Pay for In-Home Care  by ElderCarelink Love it or hate it, the Affordable Care Act has opened up new ways for seniors to receive Medicaid coverage for in-home care. The law includes a provision for the Community First Choice Option, a state plan designed to provide community- and home-based services for Medicaid-eligible recipients. Although not exhaustive, the general eligibility guidelines are rather simple. Seniors must have incomes that make them Medicaid-eligible. Depending on the state, that amount could be as high as 150 percent of the federal poverty limit. Seniors must meet a state determination that they would require skilled nursing care in a facility if they did not receive in-home care or community-based services. States that participate in Community First must provide the following services among others: Assistance with daily living tasks such as bathing, dressing and eating Assistance with other living tasks such as cleaning and shopping Training for care attendants Back-up systems (e.g. beepers) to maintain a continuity of care for seniors States may also provide optional services such as funds to cover transition costs from a nursing facility to community-based or in-home care. Home care and community-based services can be provided not only by agencies but family members as well. However, family members must meet definitions outlined by the Department of Health and Human Services. Because this is a state-based plan, not all states may participate in the program. Be sure to check with your state's Medicaid office to learn more about the Community First Choice Option. Then, go to ElderCarelink.comto find home care workers in your area.

Have you noticed any changes in your loved one's health or behavior? Update your Needs Survey now so we can keep you connected to the resources that are most relevant and helpful to you. Update Your Needs Survey Now.

You've received this message because you've registered to receive email from ElderCarelink.com. If you no longer wish to receive product offer emails from us, please go here to Unsubscribe.  © 2014 QuinStreet, Inc. | All Rights Reserved | 950 Tower Lane, 6th Floor | Foster City, CA 94404

Five strategies for choosing a senior housing facility‏

Five Strategies for Choosing a Senior Housing Facility  by ElderCarelink Arranging senior care services for a loved one can be an emotional and challenging process, especially if your loved one requires continual medical care or has a chronic health condition such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. But, don't give up on the process--with research, effort and patience, you should be able to find a solid fit for your loved one. Here are five strategies for choosing a senior housing option for a parent or loved one: Plan ahead. Conducting thorough research can help you save time and, in most cases, money as well. For example, you don't want to select one assisted living facility only to find it isn't the right fit. Moving a loved one can from location to location can make the costs add up. Review senior housing options. What type of facility is best suited to provide the care your loved one requires? Numerous options exist including assisted living facilities, nursing homes, residential care centers, board and care homes, community care retirement communities and more. Compare care options. What type of care and services are offered at each respective facility? Are all services included? For example, some assisted living facilities offer all-inclusive services, while others may have a set fee for other services. Compare pricing. Costs can vary from facility to facility, service to service, and location to location. Expand your search. If the right senior housing option doesn't exist in your community, then look outside your immediate zip code. You may be surprised at the additional senior housing opportunities that are within a short commute of your ideal location. For more information, download our Senior Living Conversation Guide. This guide contains a checklist of items for the family to consider as decisions about senior care need to be made. Then go toElderCarelink.com to find home care workers in your area. Have you noticed any changes in your loved one's health or behavior? Update your Needs Survey now so we can keep you connected to the resources that are most relevant and helpful to you. Update Your Needs Survey Now. You've received this message because you've registered to receive email from ElderCarelink.com. If you no longer wish to receive product offer emails from us, please go here to Unsubscribe.  © 2014 QuinStreet, Inc. | All Rights Reserved | 950 Tower Lane, 6th Floor | Foster City, CA 94404

Pets Can Ease Recovery - Home Care Insights‏

Pets Can Ease Recovery Over the years, studies have shown that people with pets tend to live longer and happier lives. (We covered this in an earlier newsletter: “Pets Can Help Us Live Longer.”) Researchers have also shown that recovery from illnesses and surgery can often be faster and smoother for people with pets. Because of this, there’s a growing trend for hospitals and rehabilitation centers to allow pet visitation for people in recovery. New York Times writer Judith Graham wrote about a patient with severe pneumonia – who was hallucinating that she was in jail – and how a visit from her cute little Maltese helped her turn the corner and recover. (See “When Best Friends Can Visit,” which lists some institutions that offer pet visitation) Read more. Dear Katy – Consult a Certified Senior Advisor This month, Katy discusses obsessive pet adoption by seniors. Dear Katy - My uncle keeps adopting stray cats. I think he’s up to eight now. Is this a sign that we should start looking into care options for him? M.A., Sanibel Island, FL Dear M.A.. - It’s possible that your uncle may be lonely, so having someone there for companionship care for at least several hours a week may be a good option. Animal hoarding can also be a sign of dementia, so encourage your uncle to get checked out by his physician, including overall medication management since adverse reactions to medications can cause behavioral changes. On the companionship side, a personal home care agency can provide a caregiver who is not only fond of cats, but who can also help with any other daily needs that he may have. Read more by visiting here or follow Katy on Twitter for more regular advice. You can submit your questions to Katy at kuriz@kindredathome.com. 5 Tips for Choosing a New Pet Some pets may be more suitable for some people – and some people probably shouldn't have pets at all.  Here are some things to think about before getting a pet. Book Review This month, our editor has selected The Healing Power of Pets, written by veterinarian Marty Becker. Dr Becker starts by recounting his own experience of “pet help” when he was seriously ill. He goes on to write about other people who’ve found pets helpful And finally, he includes an in-depth discussion about how to pick the right pet for you or your loved ones. Read the full review here, and while you’re there, check out the other resources and useful links we’ve selected for you. Sincerely, Sylvia Todor Communications, Kindred at Home stodor@kindredathome.com

The Difference Between Nursing Homes and Assisted Living‏

The Difference Between Nursing Homes and Assisted Living  by ElderCarelink When it appears some form of senior living for a loved one is on the horizon, it pays to familiarize yourself with the different options, including nursing homes and assisted living. Assisted living and nursing homes Assisted living emerged in the 1990s as a form of senior care for individuals who could no longer live on their own, but did not require 24-hour supervision or assistance provided by nursing homes. These facilities traditionally provide custodial-care services in home-like atmospheres. Residents can get assistance with bathing, eating and dressing, and many facilities offer shared meals, housekeeping and laundry services and more. Nursing homes, also referred to as 'skilled nursing facilities' provide continual, 24-hour medical attention to their residents. For seniors who have significant medical problems, severe cognitive issues or mobility impairments, nursing homes are equipped to provide the proper level of care. Some things to keep in mind Remember, assisted living facilities are not licensed or regulated on a national basis, but on a state-by-state level. In turn, assisted living care falls into a spectrum of definitions, with facilities called assisted living homes, personal care homes, residential care homes and more. That means you should be diligent in your research, visit the facilities you are considering and be sure to make sure it is a licensed and regulated facility. On the other hand, many nursing homes across the US are approved to accept Medicare, Medicaid or both. This is important as the cost of nursing home care is typically higher than assisted living. According to the MetLife Mature Market Institute's 2011 Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs, a private room in a nursing home costs $87,235 versus $41,724 for assisted living care. So, which is best? That's up to you and your family to decide. Take time to figure out your loved one's needs, review the advantages and drawbacks of each type of care, and research the various options thoroughly to find the right senior living option for your elder. Visit ElderCarelink.com to find facilities near you or your loved one.

Have you noticed any changes in your loved one's health or behavior? Update your Needs Survey now so we can keep you connected to the resources that are most relevant and helpful to you. Update Your Needs Survey Now.

You've received this message because you've registered to receive email from ElderCarelink.com. If you no longer wish to receive product offer emails from us, please go here to Unsubscribe.  © 2014 QuinStreet, Inc. | All Rights Reserved | 950 Tower Lane, 6th Floor | Foster City, CA 94404

Setting Caregiving Limits is Important‏

Setting Caregiving Limits is Important  by ElderCarelink Like many others, you may have been thrust into a caregiving role out of need, love and compassion for your aging parent or elder. Whether you feel blessed or feel caregiving has turned your life upside down, caregiving is--by nature--demanding, challenging, and time-consuming. As time progresses, elder care can grow more and more demanding as our elders age. For many of us, we don't stop to think caregiving could continue for years. For starters, leaping in with both feet is usually okay when getting started, but as caregiving progresses from months to years, it can touch every area of your life--from your marriage to your job. Set your caregiving limits The added pressure of being a caregiver can take anyone to the brink of a burnout. Before reaching that point, we need to realize when we've reached our personal limits for hands-on caregiving. Is it time when our spouse feels neglected because our caregiving responsibilities leave us with little time to spend with our husbands or wives? Is it time when caregiving becomes a full-time job and we have to leave our professions or work part-time to care for a loved one? Is it time when we miss our children's activities because we are too busy caring for a parent or loved one? Most families can survive the initial pressures of caregiving during the short-term. Long-term? Things become more difficult. What to do? Take a step back. Take stock of your personal, family, and professional needs Decide what you can do and can't do Establish limits with your loved one during the early stages of your caregiving role Providing care to our loved ones is a privilege and honor, but can be dangerous if the line between your life and caregiving blurs. If you need support to maintain balance in your life, do so. You can find help and advice through support groups, therapists, faith groups, home care services, adult day care centers, and more. If you've reached your caregiving limits and need help, letElderCarelink.com help you find the caregiving assistance you need. Have you noticed any changes in your loved one's health or behavior? Update your Needs Survey now so we can keep you connected to the resources that are most relevant and helpful to you. Update Your Needs Survey Now. You've received this message because you've registered to receive email from ElderCarelink.com. If you no longer wish to receive product offer emails from us, please go here to Unsubscribe.  © 2014 QuinStreet, Inc. | All Rights Reserved | 950 Tower Lane, 6th Floor | Foster City, CA 94404