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Don’t Expect Medicare to Pay for Long-Term Care

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

A recent survey funded by The SCAN Foundation found close to four in 10 Americans, age 40+, believe Medicare and Social Security will pay for long-term care. The need for continuing care services and support to assist with activities of daily living will increase as the population ages. The group will require help with cooking, bathing, grooming, shopping, managing medicines, and toileting.

Thirty-eight percent of the people surveyed in the 2016 Long-term Care in America report said they will rely on Medicare to pay. Correspondingly, 35% will count on Social Security and personal savings while 32% expects to depend on investments for support. Don’t Expect Medicare to Pay for Long-Term Care

Surprisingly, only two out of 10 older adults will use Medicaid to pay for their aging needs although it ranks as the largest public payer fo LTC, according to the Kaiser Commission. The misperceptions of long-term care payment options persist among Americans, but their ability to pay increased even though many put off planning for it. How and where individuals want care remains consistent to prior years.

Key findings of misperceptions

  • Older Americans prefer to receive care at home, and they want that care provided by family. However, family members say it’s not their preference due to travel distance and prefer the loved one to live with them.
  • Other places for desired care are in a senior community (11 percent), home of a friend or family (4 percent), or a nursing home (4 percent).
  • Men prefer to receive help from a spouse, and women want help from adult children.
  • For Americans with an annual income of $50,000 or less, they will likely count on government programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The others who enjoy a higher income expect to rely on personal savings and investments. However, the survey indicates that three in 10 of the upper-income Americans still report reliance on Medicare to help pay for care.
  • The general public wants to see more policies to help family caregivers face the price of giving care, with 72 percent supporting state programs for paid family leave at work, 83 percent support tax breaks, and 73 percent support a Social Security earnings credit for family members time out from the workforce.
  • Four in 10 family members report having missed work to provide long-term care to a loved one.
  • Close to one-third report having done no planning for long-term care needs.

 

On the political front, Democrats and Republicans approve some proposals to help Americans prepare for the costs of long-term care. How it plays out: 80 percent of Democrats and 78 percent of Republicans favor tax breaks to boost aging care savings. Plus, over 70 percent of both parties would approve tax breaks for individuals who buy long-term care insurance.

Equally, both sides favor a portable long-term care insurance model through their employer, similar to COBRA. And Republicans (71 percent and 68 percent Democrats) would permit non-taxable funds like retirement plans and 401(k)s to pay for LTC insurance premiums.

Don’t Expect Medicare to Pay for Long-Term Care

Don’t Expect Medicare to Pay for Long-Term Care Don’t Expect Medicare to Pay for Long-Term Care Don’t Expect Medicare to Pay for Long-Term Care Don’t Expect Medicare to Pay for Long-Term Care

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Retirement Planning

Increasing Financial Confidence of Older Americans and Adult Children

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Do These Things for Better Retirement Planning

Retirement planning is at the forefront of a lot of Americans’ minds, considering a top concern is not having enough money. Magnifying this is stock market cycles surrounding COVID-19. Those who felt confident at the beginning of 2020 now have reason to question their preparedness. Moreover, adult children are getting increasingly involved, asking new questions related to economic concerns, healthcare costs and living arrangements.

Are older Americans and their children/caregivers on the same page? We asked more than 1,300 American adults 65 and older to share their perspectives on personal finances, retirement decisions and discussing these matters with their children. We also asked more than 1,300 financially independent adult children the same questions about their parents.

I hope our insights will help you navigate your own conversations with loved ones.

1. Don’t be Afraid to Talk about COVID-19 and Stock Market Gyrations

Many older Americans and their adult children are talking about personal finances during the COVID-19 pandemic and feel similarly about financial security. Both groups similarly report (at 43 percent) being “concerned” or “very concerned” about financial security. However, talking about it now and having these conversations is the first step toward better preparedness.

2. Make Financial Plans to Pay for Future Healthcare

We asked those 65 and older their greatest financial concerns, and affording healthcare was number one. Grown children had the same concern about their parents.

Men in the 65-and-up age bracket have much less concern about having ample funds, with men being far more likely than women to cite no financial concerns (19.6 percent vs. 12.4 percent) and women being more likely to say running out of money is their primary financial fear (25.9 percent vs. 19.1 percent).

As one might expect, financial fears depend largely on income, and those on the lower end of the scale have more urgent concerns like paying for medical care and ensuring they have enough money, while higher-income individuals fear not being able to maintain their current lifestyle.

3. Discuss Finances and POA – Older Americans Are Comfortable With It

For adult children of people at or near retirement age, there is little reason for fear over discussing financial matters with parents — but adult children were far more likely than their parents’ group to report discomfort with the idea. In fact, only about one in 10 people in the 65-and-older group said they were “very uncomfortable” or “uncomfortable” with the idea of discussing their finances with their adult children, while more than 16 percent of the adult children’s group said the same.

A similar disconnect exists between retirement-age people and their adult children when it comes to giving their children (or caregiver) power of attorney. While majorities of both groups indicated that the plan would be to authorize power of attorney, those in the older age group were far more likely to say so (69.9 percent vs. 57.9 percent).

4. Caregivers, Be Prepared to Contribute to Healthcare Costs

How about those 65 and older receiving financial assistance from their children? Two-thirds expect to not need financial help, and just seven percent expect to need help (27 percent are unsure).

This is quite a different answer than their children provide. Just one-third of adult children expect their parents to not need financial help, and 39 percent do expect to provide financial support or already do provide it.

5. Mitigate Uncertainty by Working with a Financial Advisor

Most older adults believe they are prepared to tackle the challenges of retirement, though their grown children may not agree. However, knowing that the adult children of those 65 and older are largely uncomfortable talking to their parents about finances, it’s likely that adult children aren’t all that well-informed about where their parents stand in retirement planning.

About two-thirds of individuals 65 and older say they are prepared for retirement, but a troublingly large group (more than 1 in 10) say they are unprepared or very unprepared for a life without income from their jobs.

Consulting with a finance professional appears to have a considerable impact on the ease with which people think about retirement. In fact, having met with a financial adviser reduced by half the percentage of people 65 and older who feel unprepared for retirement.

By Jeff Hoyt

Jeff Hoyt is editor-in-chief at SeniorLiving.org, a comprehensive directory of living options. SeniorLiving’s mission is to help older Americans age with ease.

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Medicare Plans

What is the Medicare Special Enrollment Period?

by My Senior Health Plan
written by My Senior Health Plan

Right now, we’re in Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (OEP). But what happens if a major disaster strikes and you’re not able to take advantage of OEP? Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to change your plan if you need to. The Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) extends the Medicare enrollment period during extenuating circumstances.

For example, you might find yourself in the midst of a life-altering weather event that prevents you from selecting coverage during OEP. Or you might need to move to a new state and discover that your previously selected coverage is not offered in your new state of residence. You can’t go without coverage, so a SEP allows you to choose a new plan.

Life changes, and sometimes your coverage has to change as well. SEPs can be difficult to understand, but we’re here to help you understand what you need to know about Medicare SEPs and how you can take advantage of this important enrollment period.

Am I eligible?

There are several circumstances for qualifying beneficiaries for SEPs. The most common are FEMA-designated natural disasters and changes in residence.

Extreme weather event or natural disaster

In order to initiate a SEP, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must officially declare an area affected by an emergency or a major disaster. This includes but isn’t limited to, extreme rain and flooding events, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, man-made environmental catastrophe and more.

If you were planning to initiate or alter coverage during a predesignated enrollment period, like OEP, but weren’t able to because of the FEMA-designated disaster, you may take advantage of the SEP.

One extra benefit is that it doesn’t have to be you that lives in the disaster area to qualify. The SEP takes into consideration that many seniors rely on a family member to assist with their Medicare coverage selections. If the family member or caregiver charged with this duty lives in a FEMA-designated area, the same principle applies.

Change of residence

You may not have realized that moving can impact your Medicare coverage. For example, if you live in Arizona and selected a plan during last year’s OEP, but you now need to move to California to be closer to family, you will also need to also change your coverage. Different Medicare plans service different areas, and if you move into a state not serviced by your current plan, you’ll need to take advantage of this SEP.

You’ll want to take advantage of the SEP to find better coverage options in your new state that wasn’t available in your previous area of residence.

How long are SEPs?

The length of SEPs varies based on the circumstances. If you have a qualifying change of residence, you have two months to alter coverage. In the case of extreme weather or natural disasters, the SEP begins the day the disaster strikes and runs for four full calendar months thereafter.

This is almost always the case, but there have been a few cases when FEMA-designated SEPs were extended beyond four months. Hurricane Katrina, for example, made U.S. landfall on August 25, 2005 before pummeling the Gulf Coast for several days thereafter. The SEP for this natural disaster was extended through December 31, 2006—more than 16 months.

What can I change during SEP?

During SEP, you can enroll in, disenroll from, or switch Medicare health or prescription drug plan. Essentially, you can add, update, change, or drop both medical and prescription drug coverage during the SEP period.

Usually, if you need to take advantage of a SEP, you’re experiencing some significant life change. During these times, the last thing you want to worry about is your Medicare coverage.

If you need help or have questions about SEP, visit our website or call (877) 255-6273. You’ll be able to talk to a knowledgeable member of our team who will help you navigate SEP and find your best coverage options.

You may also seek assistance from Medicare by calling (800) MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

 

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Medicare Plans

How to Enroll in Medicare if You’re Working Past 65

by My Senior Health Plan
written by My Senior Health Plan

For decades, the gold standard for retirement age was 65. But in the last several years, we’ve seen the retirement age inch up with many folks working past 65. Now, 20 percent of Americans age 65 and older are participating in the workforce—the highest rate in nearly six decades.

Some of this is due to the U.S. government formally changing the Social Security retirement age. Since 1983, the retirement age, previously set at 65 has slowly inched toward 67, with the current age set at 66 and eight months.

But there’s more going on here. Not only are we living longer, but also the cost of living is exponentially higher than 10 or 20 years ago. Unfortunately, many of us weren’t able to adequately plan for retirement.

What is fortunate is that no matter your employment status, you can still enroll in your Medicare benefit at age 65. Here’s how.

What if you have employer-provided health benefits?

When you turn 65, even if you’re working, you gain access to what’s called the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). If you have employer-provided healthcare, you can still apply for Medicare Part A.

You may be wondering why this is necessary. If you require medical care not covered by your employer-provided plan, your Medicare Part A plan will pick up where your primary coverage leaves off. Part A Medicare benefit is premium-free, so you stand nothing to lose financially by enrolling.

If you have a spouse who isn’t working, is over 65 and covered by your private insurance, the same principles apply.

But do stay on top of enrolling, because Medicare won’t remind you to sign up unless you currently get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits. Also, in order to take advantage of Medicare, you or your spouse must have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years of your lives.

What if you’re working past 65 and losing your employer-provided health benefits?

When you decide to retire, you’ll need to make changes to your (and your spouse’s, if applicable) Medicare coverage. You probably already have Part A at this point, but you need to get supplemental coverage to make up for what used to be covered by your employer-provided health insurance.

If you’re beyond your IEP and are losing your employer-provided insurance outside of another enrollment period, like OEP or AEP, you’ll be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). SEPs enable beneficiaries with extenuating circumstances to enroll in Medicare programs outside the typical enrollment periods.

The SEP for Parts A and B will last for eight months beginning the month after you lose your private health insurance benefits. The SEP for Parts C and D will last for two months beginning the month after you lose your private health insurance benefits. So, if you retire in March 2020, you’ll have between the months of April and November 2020 to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B and April and May to enroll in Medicare Parts C and D, if needed. Confused? Don’t worry, MySeniorHealthPlan.com is here to help.

What about Medicare Part B and D?

You may be aware of penalties for late enrollment in Medicare Part B and/or D. Since you’re covered by employer-provided health insurance during your IEP, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to delay enrolling in Parts B and D.

You’ll have to consult with your employer to confirm eligibility.

With any health insurance decision, particularly those related to Medicare, we recommend you work with your employer’s plan administrator to understand what coverage you have, what coverage you need and how those options will change upon retirement.

If you need help or have questions about Medicare when working past 65, visit our website or call (877) 255-6273. You’ll talk to a knowledgeable member of our team who will help you navigate the Medicare system and find your best coverage options.

You may also seek assistance from Medicare by calling (800) MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

 

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Medicare Plans

Medicare OEP 2020: How to Make Changes to Your Medicare Advantage Plan

by My Senior Health Plan
written by My Senior Health Plan

Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) 2020 will begin on January 1st. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (maybe you signed up for a new plan during AEP 2020?) and wish to adjust your coverage, you may qualify to make a one-time change to your existing policy.

Medicare OEP 2020. What is it?

OEP is the Medicare election period that runs from January 1st to March 31st each year. It allows Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans to:

  • Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan
  • Disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare, with or without a Part D drug plan

 

Note: According to Medicare.gov, the following are changes that you cannot make during OEP.

You will not be able to:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
  • Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan if you’re in Original Medicare.
  • Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another if you’re in Original Medicare.

 

Also, if you’re within the first three months of your Initial Enrollment Period, you have the option to

  1. Change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) OR
  2. Go back to Original Medicare (again, with or without a drug plan)

Let’s look at an example.

During AEP, Sylvia enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. The plan will activate January 1st. However, early in February, she decides she could benefit from Medicare Advantage Plan D.

Being in the OEP window and having had her existing plan since January, Sylvia can make the one-time change. Her new policy will go into effect on March 1st.

However, that’s not where Sylvia’s story ends. Her plan activates March 1st, but after a couple of weeks (and still within the OEP), she finds that the new plan isn’t a good fit for her needs.

Unfortunately, Sylvia will have to wait until October 15th when AEP begins again—unless, of course, she qualifies for Special Election Period (SEP).

What is SEP?

SEP allows seniors to make changes to their Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage under particular circumstances.

Examples of when you may qualify for SEP include the following.

You’re moving to a new address that affects your coverage (e.g., moving back to the States after living overseas or moving to a new address that isn’t in your existing plan’s service area).

You’re living in an area where a weather event has occurred—one that FEMA has determined as an emergency or major disaster. Due to the weather situation happening during another valid election period (e.g., AEP), you may qualify for SEP.

Additionally, the weather-related SEP is available to beneficiaries who depend on friends or family members living in the affected areas to manage their healthcare needs.

You will lose your other insurance coverage. For example, if you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you may qualify for SEP and the opportunity to sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan. Also, if you no longer have coverage from your employer (or union), SEP will allow you to apply for Medicare Advantage coverage.

Tapping into your Medicare resources

Medicare election periods from OEP to SEP can get complicated. However, you have access to resources—from your insurance specialist to online information (such as the Medicare.gov website). The key is to keep an eye on election period dates that apply to you, take action early and, if necessary, ask for help.

Need to adjust your Medicare Advantage coverage during OEP? The MySeniorHealthPlan.com team can answer all your questions and guide you through the process.

Call today toll free: 877.255.6273

 

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Healthy Living

Giving Back and Expanding Horizons through Volunteer Research

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

With the added leisure time that comes in retirement, many seek out fresh ways to broaden their horizons.

A new research laboratory at Harvard University offers a great opportunity to do just that. The Harvard Digital Lab for the Social Sciences (DLABSS) gives people of all ages the chance to share their opinions on social science research questions.

Cutting-Edge Research Lab

DLABSS is a unique and growing community. It has hosted over 130 studies, netting over 90,000 individual survey responses. Right now, there are more than 25,000 volunteers who respond to surveys on DLABSS. They come from all over the world, including all 50 U.S. states and numerous countries across the globe.

DLABSS is a novel research opportunity. The lab harnesses the power of the internet to make social science accessible to a broad audience.

It is easy to sign up for DLABSS from the comfort of your home. All it takes is an email address and a few minutes. Once you’ve signed up, you will receive a biweekly email with an opportunity to participate in a new online survey conducted by a researcher at Harvard University.

A Learning Experience

Respondents on DLABSS have noted how rewarding participation is. First, DLABSS exposes participants to cutting-edge academic research surveys from a number of different fields.

DLABSS offers a free, online platform for volunteers from across the world to participate in and learn from groundbreaking social science experiments.

Some topics on which you can currently take surveys include Social Security, religion in America, and gun control. Most surveys take about 5 minutes to complete, and you have the option to skip any survey you don’t want to take.

One DLABSS volunteer, Kimi, has stated, “Whatever survey you start with will more than likely cause you to think in a new light… You may learn something new about yourself.” Another DLABSS participant, Alex G. writes, “The best feature of DLABSS is that it opens up social science research to a [new] group of people.”

DLABSS volunteers have indicated that DLABSS is a great way to pass the time and helps them think critically about the world around them.

A Fulfilling Way to Give Back

DLABSS also provides a way to volunteer or “give back” from the comfort of the home. Research on critical issues like immigration, Medicare programs, and corruption is often costly to conduct, especially given the shrinking availability of public funding and grants.

DLABSS reduces the financial barriers to conducting research so that undergraduate and graduate students can get survey responses.

Bobby N., a previous DLABSS volunteer, comments, “It was easy and quick, and I know that those responses are valuable data to researchers.”

Be Part of a Community

By volunteering with DLABSS, you support a unique online lab that helps researchers who are passionate about the social sciences. You get to learn about new topics by taking surveys from your own home and on your own time.

To volunteer for DLABSS, you can click the survey links above or visit our website.

When you take your first survey, you will be asked to provide some basic background information about yourself for researchers to use in analyzing their data. Your information remains private. Your responses and your email address will never be shared outside of the research lab.

Once you have taken one survey, you are enrolled in the study panel and will receive biweekly opportunities to participate on new topics. Periodically, DLABSS even holds raffles for gift cards and other prizes as a way to thank its volunteers for participating.

If you are interested in broadening your horizons, giving back, and learning while helping researchers, DLABSS is a great resource for you. To get started, visit http://dlabss.harvard.edu/.

By Amy Lakeman

Director of Recruitment and Lab Manager at Harvard Digital Lab for the Social Science

Amy Lakeman is the Lab Manager at DLABSS and a doctoral student in Harvard University’s Department of Government. She is primarily interested in political behavior and the relationship between religion and American politics.

 

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Caregiving

Answers to 5 most Frequently Asked Hospice Questions

by Silverado
written by Silverado

While most people have heard of hospice, a surprising number don’t have a complete understanding of the actual details of the method and purpose of it. November has been declared National Hospice and Palliative Care Month by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), a time to help build awareness of comfort-based care among those it may benefit.

Here are just a few common hospice questions and answers to them:

What is the purpose of hospice?
Hospice is a change of focus from curative treatments to a different set of goals – comfort and quality of life. Comfort care includes physical therapy, spiritual & emotional support, companionship and even the granting of life-long wishes. Hospice gives the patient and their family the opportunity to enjoy life and celebrate the bonds and memories they share.

How does hospice care start?
When a physician makes a prognosis that a patient has six months or less to live they may place an order for hospice care. At this point, a hospice provider can be contacted to start the hospice admission process (please note that “admission” refers to the start of service and does not necessarily reflect the patient being physically admitted to a facility or new location).

Will hospice make my loved one die sooner?
The goal of hospice is to provide comfort as the natural process of dying takes its course. In no way is there any effort or intention to hasten a patient’s death while on hospice, just to provide comfort while the patient’s journey comes to an end.

Does insurance cover hospice costs?
Hospice is funded by Medicare, Medicaid and also by most individual insurers. Hospice coverage is available to anyone that has a six-month or less terminal prognosis. The costs associated with most medications and therapies that relieve pain and provide comfort are covered as a part of hospice. Hospice services can actually remove some financial burden families or responsible parties, who may otherwise need to pay out-of-pocket for medications or equipment like beds or wheelchairs.

Does a patient have to go to a hospice facility in order to receive care?
Hospice services can be provided at any number of locations, including most retirement and assisted living facilities. Because comfort and tranquility are the goals, great effort is taken to keep patients in place and prevent stresses involved with hospital readmissions or relocations to a dedicated hospice facility. Silverado does not operate hospice facilities. Our hospice teams work on-site at patients’ residences, be they a private home, assisted living or other facility.

For more answers to common hospice questions, please visit Silverado.com/hospiceFAQs

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Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears
Medicare Plans

Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

WITH DECEMBER 7TH DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING, easyMedicare.com OFFERS FOUR QUICK TIPS TO HELP FIND OUT IF YOUR CURRENT MEDICARE PLAN IS RIGHT FOR YOU Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears

With the deadline of December 7, 2017 just a few weeks away, there is still time for those who are eligible for Medicare to make an important decision about their healthcare during the annual open enrollment period. Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears

With more Medicare health plan options than ever, it is important for people to understand their options. Medicare consumers want to feel confident that the plan they choose will fit their needs and budget. So, what is the best way to determine whether your current Medicare plan is right for you?
Drawing on many years of Medicare enrollment experience, Anthony P. Solazzo, CEO of e-TeleQuote, explains how asking the right questions is of the utmost importance in determining which plan may be the best fit for you. Here are the four questions he says are important to ask:

  1. Has your health changed since last year? Are you taking different medications since last year? Some plans change their coverage, so it’s best to know which medications are covered for 2018.
  2. Do you have a chronic illness, such as hypertension, diabetes or heart disease? There are special health plans that offer specific benefits for these conditions that may improve your quality of care and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
  3. Are you concerned about out-of-pocket expenses or extra benefits? Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover much of your overall healthcare costs and also offer prescription drug coverage.
  4. Are your doctors and hospital part of the network? Some Medicare health plans may change provider networks, which can affect which doctors (especially specialist physicians) you may see under your benefits.

“Education based on your specific healthcare needs is the key to selecting a good Medicare health plan,” said Solazzo. “It is important to ask the right questions and to remember that each year your needs may change.”
For more information, and to download the complimentary easyMedicare.com guide, Making Sense of Medicare: The Medicare Basics, visit www.easyMedicare.com (https://www.easyMedicare.com).

About e-TeleQuote and easyMedicare

e-TeleQuote Insurance, Inc. is an independent digital insurance agency providing consumers the ability to purchase Medicare insurance from the comfort of their homes. The company diligently researches available plan options from multiple insurance carriers to help consumers choose a plan that best suits their needs. e-TeleQuote provides consumers personal consultation through experienced licensed insurance agents, who suggest plan coverage options based on a customer’s particular needs. The company proudly serves tens of thousands of consumers annually across the United States.

e-TeleQuote Insurance, Inc., earned the 446th spot on the 2017 Inc. Magazine 5000 Ranking. The company also ranked #6 in growth among all insurance sector companies nationwide. For more information about e-TeleQuote, visit https://www.etelequote.com.

Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears

Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears Deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment Nears

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5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care
Caregiving

5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At-Home-Care

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

Anytime a child must care for their elderly parents it can be stressful for both parties.

Many people are turning to home healthcare to combat this reality. An estimated 12 million people use these services as an alternative to nursing homes. If you are using at home care or are interested in learning more, here are five things you can do to maximize your parent’s experience.

1.) Know Your Limitations

If you are going to provide at-home care for a parent, being honest with yourself about what you can and cannot do is important. Providing for another person in your home is an investment of both time and money. Your utility and grocery bills will increase. Adding things to a house to make it more comfortable for your parent can also get expensive.If your parents need help bathing and getting dressed, determine if you are comfortable helping them. Don’t forget to plan ahead, understanding that needs will change over time.

2.) At Home Care Requires Safety Precautions

Six out of every ten falls happen in the home. Falling can be a serious health concern for seniors, but there are steps which will lessen this risk. Tape down rugs and other floor coverings that pose trip hazards. For an elderly parent with mobility issues, make sure they have a cane or walker handy. Using walls to stay stable when walking is never safe. Install grab bars and rubber mats in showers and by the toilet, and make sure a panic button is accessible. Rooms should be well lit, with switches placed close to the entrance and within reach.

3.) Secure The Home

Seniors are at a higher risk for crime and financial scams than other age groups. Security has to be a top priority for the elderly.
To protect against potential scams, put your parent’s phone on the federal do not call registry. This list blocks their number from telemarketers. Sliding glass doors are a frequent target for burglars. Make sure they are secure by adding a bar that prevents them from sliding open when they are not in use. Use a hidden safe to protect important documents and cash.

4.) Know Who Comes Into the Home

If you are hiring someone to help your elderly parent, make sure you do some homework.
Get information about the company that is sending someone out. If you are hiring an individual, do a full background check and make sure they are first aid certified. Many states have agencies that regulate home care providers. Anyone you hire should be willing to show you their certifications and licenses.

5.) Maintain Their Quality of Life

Find local support groups that cater to the elderly. These groups are a great place to make friends and discuss issues that are important to elders. Many groups encourage physical activity and will go on mini-trips to local places. Mental stimulation becomes essential as the mind ages. Crossword puzzles and other hobbies will help combat boredom and keep the brain focused, especially in the cold winter months.

Get The Support You Need

For over 25 years, I have worked with thousands of clients around the world, consulting with them on ways to improve their quality of life.

Deciding in favor of at-home care can be a life-changing decision. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, I have helped families from various backgrounds confront life’s challenges.
Right now, I am offering a special 30-minute introductory session for only $49, with a $10 discount for seniors. This session will help us learn about each other and discuss ways that my services can help you.

5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care

5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care 5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care 5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care 5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care 5 Tips to Maximize Your Elderly Parent’s At Home Care

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