Posts Tagged ‘indianapolis’

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

Not Your Grandmas Reverse Mortgage Anymore

Monday, July 20th, 2009

Many people don’t realize that Reverse Mortgages have been around since 1961. While I have heard several companies take credit for doing the first reverse mortgage, I believe the first one was done in New Jersey. The lady not only outlived her reverse mortgage loan but she also outlived her loan officer. The original reverse mortgages did not have much protection for the senior.

Over the years, several safeguards have been put into place. One of those safeguards is the requirement that all reverse mortgage applicants go through counseling. The reverse mortgage (called a HECM Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) is an FHA or government insured loan. FHA wants the counseling to be done through a third party agent who has no financial ties to that loan. While this may seem a bit paternalistic, it’s a really good idea. This gives the senior another opportunity to ask questions and to hear about how the loan works. In many cases, the senior can bring their adult children or other financial adviser to their counseling appointment. It’s important that seniors also look at any options they may have and counselors assist in that process. The counseling takes about 45 min to an hour and in most cases it is be done over the phone. Some counseling can be done in person as well. As of August 2008, Counseling Agencies may now charge for their services. There are, however, some agencies who can waive their fee ($125) for seniors who are financially unable to pay. Always ask your counselor about this option. Once the counseling is done, the senior will receive a certificate of completion and this certificate is required before the lender can order an appraisal on the property.

Another safeguard, is the mortgage insurance premium (MIP). While this insurance is added to the costs of the loan, it’s invaluable in protecting seniors and their families. This insurance means that the senior can never owe more than the property is worth. If that were to happen, the lender would simply make a claim against that insurance for any loss and the lender would never go after the senior or their heirs for that difference. This means that the senior will not ever leave a debt for their family. This is very important to the majority of reverse mortgage customers.

A third safeguard is the maximum age. The original reverse mortgages stopped at age 100 but today, the reverse mortgage is good until age 125 or until the senior permanently vacates the property (after one year), whichever comes first. We haven’t had any seniors reach 125 yet!

A more recent addition to the reverse mortgage program is the addition of fixed rate reverse mortgage products. In the past, all reverse mortgages were adjustable rate loans. Fixed rate loans today, provide the customer with the maximum amount of loan when compared to the adjustable loan. This can change as interest rates go up and down but currently, the fixed rate does afford the maximum proceeds from the loan amount. While adjustable rate loans may still be viable for some seniors, it’s nice to have the option to choose from. If you still have questions about the safeguards available with the reverse mortgages today, talk to your reverse mortgage specialist. He or she will be happy to fill you in on all the details of this wonderful product.
Brenda Wheeler, Reverse Mortgage Specialist, M & I Bank Indianapolis
To learn more about this and other senior care funding options go to www.agingavenues.com or call 317-731-3315.

Hiring Caregivers for In-Home Senior Care in Indianapolis, IN

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

Recently there was a tragedy in Avon, Indiana where the son of an elderly woman was killed by her caregivers husband. Now it’s not been said but if I was guessing getting to the woman’s money was a likely motivation. It’s important that if you’re hiring someone to come into the home to care for an elderly person that they have been properly screened. The classifieds are filled with people looking for work as aides to the elderly. Many of these aides are well-qualified, honest people who will do a good job; but, of course, there will be some not so reputable. If you are looking to hire someone, be sure you interview and check references and qualifications. You will be responsible for scheduling that person and doing payroll and taxes as well. Be very sure you hire someone trustworthy, as the elderly seem to trust these helpers more than they should and therefore can easily be taken advantage of. It may seem more affordable to just hire them but there are risks. There are sources for pre-screened individual caregivers.

A professional home care service will eliminate your employment concerns. Professionally-provided aides are usually bonded and service is guaranteed. Home care companies take care of the scheduling and payment of their employees. Home care companies cater to the elderly in their homes by offering a variety of services.
These providers represent a rapidly growing trend to allow people needing help with long term care to remain in their home or in the community instead of going to a care facility. The services offered may include:
- companionship
- grooming and dressing
- recreational activities
- incontinent care
- handyman services
- teeth brushing
- medication reminders
- bathing or showering
- light housekeeping
- meal preparation
- respite for family caregivers
- errands and shopping
- reading email or letters
- overseeing home deliveries
- dealing with vendors
- transportation services
- changing linens
- laundry and ironing
- organizing closets
- care of house plants
- 24-hour emergency response
- family counseling
- phone call checks
- and much more.

A caregiver can make the difference in the quality of a seniors life and make it possible to stay in their home if you have the resources to make it happen. One way to help with caregiving costs is available for veteran’s and their spouses/widows. The Aid and Attendance Pension Program pays up to $1964 per month for their care. To get help finding a caregiver or homecare company in the Indianapolis area contact Aging Avenues at 317-731-3315.

When Your Loved One Resists Care in Indianapolis Indiana

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Here is an article I found that is very helpful for caregivers who are struggling with the loved one they are trying so hard to care for.

When Is It Time to Discuss Additional Care

Monday, May 25th, 2009

The following are signs that it is time to discuss additional in-home care, assisted living or long term care for a senior:

Isolation/Depression

-Is your loved one isolated from social contact?
-Are his or her sleeping habits, eating habits or activity levels changing?

Daily Activites/Eating Habits

-Is your loved one having a difficult time walking, dressing or eating?

Bruises/Falls
-Has there been an increased susceptibility to falling and bruising?Cognitive Ability
-Is your loved one’s mental reasoning ability at a level where his or her personal safety and the safety of others is at risk?

Increasing Medical Needs

-Does your loved one need medical care that you or he or she cannot provide?
-Does your loved one’s medication need to be increased?
-Does he or she need more and more help taking medications?
-Does he or she use medical equipment like an oxygen tank or need daily or weekly treatments like dialysis?
-Is your loved one in need of rehabilitative care?

Caregiver Burnout

-Is a family caregiver exhausted due to the amount of care your loved one needs?

Medication Errors/Missed Doctor’s Appointments

-Is your loved one mixing up medications, taking them incorrectly or not taking them at all?
-Is your loved one keeping his or her doctor’s appointments?

Household Management

-Can your loved one still manage the components of running a household, such as keeping a checkbook or paying bills?
-Is there a dramatic change in how the house is kept?

American Healthcare Association

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Silver Alert Helps Find Missing Seniors

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

The Indiana Govenor signed into law the new Silver Alert system to help locate missing seniors. With four seniors having gone missing this week alone we need this service. Most importantly these alerts will help make families more aware of how often someone who has alzheimer’s and lives alone can just one day wander off and not remember how to get back. Unfortunately there is not perdiction when the wandering will begin so you have to be prepared. Everyone with memory issues should be wearing an ID bracelet. Although I do not advocate that anyone with memory issues should be living alone families should have a watch plan in place. Alerting their neighbors, local businesses they frequent and friends that there is a concern and to keep an eye on them. Make sure they have your phone number. There are great monitoring systems that allow you to check in on them remotely or that a company monitors their activity and alerts you if there’s a concern as well as gps tracking devices available. Aging Avenues can help you develop a plan so that when safety issues occur, and they will, that you’re not in a crisis.