Senior Care- When Mom or Dad Needs Care

Families everyday are faced with the decision of care for their loved one. With the rising cost of care, many families take on the tremendous added responsibility of care provider. Supporting our parents to live independently can sometimes be extremely difficult. Families need to address the important issue of whether they can continue to support and care for mom or dad for as long as it may be necessary. This can be very emotional and difficult. Most people seem to think that Medicare pays for long term care. The fact is, it does not. After a hospital stay, Medicare covers skilled nursing, meaning a nurse, a speech and physical therapist under strict guidelines with orders from a physician until the condition improves. Skilled nursing is usually covered for 100 days. Medicare does not cover the cost of in-home care, like personal care, housekeeping or meal preparation. You can call 1-800-MEDICARE for any questions. After any illness, assistance in the home is very important in the recovery of any individual. When assistance is provided, the person recuperates better and quicker. Let us explore some options for living arrangements when it comes to our parents.

What is senior independent living? Senior independent living is a community setting of seniors living independently among their peers. They have to be healthy and capable of managing their own home or apartment as well as their personal needs. One can either rent or purchase. This can turn out to be expensive on a monthly basis. This is paid for privately. What is assisted living? Assisted living is a place where seniors that may need a little help with the AD L's (activities of daily living). They offer services packages to assist your loved one between 60 to 90 minutes per day with their care. their meals are prepared for them. This cost can range widely, and depending on service packages can be expensive and is often paid privately. Some long term care insurance may cover it. There may be limitations for people with dementia. Sometimes your loved one may have to share living space. What is a nursing home? A nursing home is a facility where aging adults reside because they no longer can manage their AD L's (activities of daily living) on their own. They may have no family to care for them, or families can no longer provide care for their loved one. You normally pay for nursing home costs privately until your assets run out. Long term care can cover these costs as well. But what happens when you run out of funds? The best thing families can do is to prepare ahead for mom or dad's care. Families need to prepare a care plan that will ensure that parents can be properly taken care of. This means opening the lines of communication with our parents about their wants and needs for their long term care. This is the most important thing that you can do. What is in-home care? In-home care can be an added benefit and extension of the care a family provides for their loved one. In-home care can also provide much needed relief for families who have taken on the responsibility of care provider. In-home care is when mom or dad make the choice to remain in their home safely with assistance. Personal Companion Aides come to the home and provides help with AD L's (activities of daily living) if necessary and with light housekeeping, personal care to meal preparation, shopping, errand, escort to doctors etc. There is an assessment made with the family regarding the care that mom or dad may need, and a plan in implemented. Weekly visits to the home and reported changes allow family members to be on top of their loved ones care. Constant communication with family members is very important. Since senior independent living communities, assisted living facilities, nursing homes as well as in-home care are all paid for privately, family member, when choosing the option for care for a loved one, should compare the cost of all four before making a decision. What is best for mom or dad? The transition to a nursing facility can be tremendously difficult for any individual. Continuing the family bond on a daily basis is extremely important to seniors. You can never be sure that just because your loved one is in an assisted living or nursing facility that their medical and personal needs are correctly taken care of. What about day to day companionship? With in-home care, your loved one receives one on one personalized attention. Howe many aides are there in an assisted living or nursing facility per resident. What amount of personalized attention will your loved one receive? This can have a great impact on their health and well-being. Reverse mortgages for seniors are available today if families choose to allow their loved ones to remain at home. What is a reverse mortgage? A reverse mortgage at times can be a very good solution for seniors who prefer to remain in their homes but may need assistance with AD L's ( activities of daily living). It can also be used for other expenses. This is not a regular loan. It allows seniors to tap into the equity of their home for cash. The funds can be disbursed on a monthly basis or a whole lump sum. This is tax-free supplemental income for the senior. There are no monthly payments. The loan is re -payed at the time that the owner moves out or dies. Talk to your financial advisor or banker for any information. Seniors can also tap into their life insurance policy, for any supplemental income. When you are getting ready to make a decision for the care of your loved one, make sure it is the best decision for them as well as for your family. Make sure you are well informed about all of your options, choices and cost. If you or someone you know may need any information, support or guidance about in-home care services please visit us at http://www.heartsofgoldcare.com/. We will be more than happy to help.