Posts Tagged ‘Indiana’

Caring For a Senior Family Member at Home

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Taking care of a loved one at home after a major illness or surgery can be an overwhelming task both physically and mentally. The responsibilities are challenging for both the one being cared for and those taking the lead for the primary care. In some cases the recovering family member may have some reservations and an unwillingness to ask their son or daughter to give up a job to care for them. In these cases, having professional home care Chapel Hill, NC can help in easing the patients concerns and allow both family members and the one being cared for with more quality time together.

In almost all cases, there are going to be reasons that your loved one may not want to consider the option of in-home health care. Therefore, it is important before relying on home care Durham NC to provide part or full responsibilities for the patients care to listen to your loved one’s concerns. Take time to note what they may be worried about and go over these during interviews while searching for just the right care service.

One of the first arguments you may hear is that your loved one doesn’t believe they need help. So, in these cases while discussing senior care Chapel Hill NC that you let your loved one know having outside help is more for your peace of mind- which in almost all situations is the reason for seeking care. Taking care of our loved ones isn’t about physically being there 24/7 but knowing that when we can’t be there someone competent and committed to their wellbeing will be but without taking away their feelings of independence.

Home care not only provides in-home medical care but can also take on some of the errands outside of the home, if the recovering loved one is a bit apprehensive about a new person in the house. As the care worker becomes more familiar to the loved one, trust and friendship is gained and can facilitate a working relationship that benefits both the patient and the family.

While recovering at home, most physicians strongly suggest that the family employ outside assistance. Therefore, if there may be other reasons that the patient balks at this kind of service, the family can simply counter that argument with the physician’s release orders from the hospital. Usually this will end the resistance and facilitate the transition from hospital to home care, in Durham, Clayton, or Chapel Hill NC.

At one time or another, most families will face taking care of a loved one, whether that be during recovery or for end of life care. And there are no easy answers or ways to ease all the burdens placed on those family members. These people are trained in medical or physical care as well as dealing with the inevitable emotional strains. The one saving grace is that there are people trained and ready to take some of the responsibilities from the family and allow everyone to be more at ease with the situation. Today, with these advances in care, many families are able to care for loved ones at home, where both the patient and the family are most at ease.

Written by Jenny Heart. Quality home care Durham NC: Receive senior care Chapel Hill NC, alzheimer’s and elder care through home care Chapel Hill NC, Clayton, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Heart

How to Pay for Senior Care in Indianapolis

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Seniors want to stay in their homes rather than go to a nursing home but it is often difficult because of the cost of in-home care.  It is essential to pre-plan so that you have the resources to make this happen.  Here are the common ways to pay for senior care in the Indianapolis area.

1.    Privately paying for care in means paying for care out of your own income, investments, savings and assets.  

2.    Long-term care insurance will help pay for in-home care, assisted living, and nursing home care. This is the most appropriate and needed form of insurance protection available to us today. Long-term care insurance should be termed “lifestyle” insurance (it’s NOT just nursing home insurance!). If your vision of your later years includes sitting at home in your own recliner, with your own remote control, watching your own TV….well, you should be planning for that future with long-term care insurance.

3.    Reverse mortgages (Home Equity Conversion Mortgages) have become one of the most popular and accepted way of paying for many different expenses, including the cost of long-term care. Reverse mortgages are designed to keep seniors at home longer. A reverse mortgage can pay for in-home care, home repair, home modification, and any other need a senior may have.  Reverse Mortgage Companies 

4.    VA Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit: The Veterans Administration has established a pension program whereby your purchase of personal care and attendant home services may be paid for through your acquired pension. If you are a Veteran or the surviving spouse of a Veteran who has served at least 90 days or more on active duty with one day beginning or ending during a period of war, and you are in need of assistance at home or in an assisted living due to your disabilities, you may be eligible for VA’s non-service connected disability pension.    The benefit pays from $1056-$1949 per month tax free for life.  See a Veterans Benefits Consultant.

5.  Life Insurance:  Some insurance companies offer long term care additional riders for life insurance policies. Other options may enable you to use your life insurance policy to help pay for long term care. Accelerated death benefits and viatical settlements (selling your policy to a third party) provide payments lower than the full value of the policy, but can make sense for those who are terminally ill or in poor health. A life settlement essentially sells your life insurance policy for its present value—often a wise choice for those who no longer need or want a policy.

6.  Long Term Care Annuity:   An annuity is a series of regular payments over a specified and defined period of time. The funds for the annuity come from a single premium payment that you make when establishing the account. There are two types of annuities: deferred and immediate.  A deferred annuity includes two funds. The interest-bearing long term care fund is used to pay for long term care services and insurance. The cash fund grows at a guaranteed rate of 3 percent. The monthly amount depends upon the annuity value and generally provides coverage for up to 3 years.  An immediate annuity  also provides long term care coverage. This generally requires completing a medical questionnaire the insurance company uses to determine the price and length of payouts. Once you pay a single premium payment, you are guaranteed a monthly income for the rest of your life.

7.    Government assistance is available but in very limited supply. The Central Indiana Council on Aging administers the state and federal available in-home assistance.  They offer meal delivery, transportation, homemaker services and attendant care.   The CHOICE program allows you to hire your adult child to be your caregiver and they get paid after completing their certification program.  Not all in-home services are based on your income.  Most seniors make above the allowable limit to qualify for Medicaid while in their home and need a little assistance.  Currently the Medicaid system only provides nursing home care when someone needs 24 hour care.   If you need nursing home care you can apply for Medicaid but first consult a Medicaid Planning Expert such as Aging Avenues.

New Test to Help Spot Early Alzheimer's

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

New tests are being developed to help diagnosis early Alzheimer’s.