Why Long-Term Care Insurance Can Help: A Personal Story

In October of 2016, my grandmother broke her back when she fell from her stair lift chair. She had always been fairly independent, but with that fall, everything changed.

She now needed care 24 hours a day. To make matters more complicated, she also had a few other pre-existing conditions including aphasia (difficulty speaking), dementia, and a medical condition that required her to self-catheterize every four hours (something she had handled on her own for almost 20 years).

She is not unlike many other seniors today who have a few manageable medical issues, until a major incident like a fall happens. She was now completely dependent on us, and we needed a plan for her day-to-day care.

Many calls and several internet searches later, the few options available to us to care for her made our heads spin. It would be between $6,000-$8,000 a month for a skilled facility. And, with her medical needs, assisted living and independent living were not an option. The only other possibility we had was for a family member to learn to catheterize my grandmother and bring in added help from an in-home care company for baths, meal prep, and general safety while we were at work. This was definitely our best option as it would allow my grandmother to stay home, and it would be more affordable than a skilled facility.

We continued to research our options and discovered it would still be $3,200-$4,800 a month for in home care (40 hours a week so we could work). That was more than I would make in a month working full-time. Without Long-Term Care insurance, one of us had to quit our jobs to take care of her. It seemed crazy to me that it was more cost effective to quit working than it was to pay for care.

While my grandmother has since made an amazing recovery, it got me thinking about Long-Term Care (LTC) insurance. Where do I find out more information? How much is it? What does it cover?

I found that many of the same companies that offer your car, home, or life insurance, also sell LTC insurance. Many of them offer customizable plans that allow you to choose a length of time for payout (ex. 1-5 years), varying payout per day when a claim is filed ($100-$500/day), and also the ability to include medication management as an option. All of these factors determine your monthly premium. Plans range from $150-$2,000 a month, so there is really an option for everyone.

After the obstacles we faced trying to care for my grandmother, Long-Term Care insurance is definitely a part of my retirement planning. If I ever need long-term care, I want options, not obstacles.

–Jess Forbes, A Place at Home

Senior Care Employee of the Month: September 2017

Congratulations to Patricia M., our September Senior Care Employee of the Month!

Patricia is an excellent Caregiver and always provides our clients with caring and compassion. She is reliable, dependable, and beloved by our office staff for her willingness to go the extra mile in picking up shifts and communicating with the office.

We asked Patricia six questions so that you can get to know her better.

Senior Care Employee of the Month

APH: What is your educational background?

PM: I have a BSc and MSc in Microbiology. I also have a certificate in computing and word processing.

APH: How did you get involved with the senior care industry?

PM: My parents needed someone to depend on to give a helping hand and make them feel loved and happy. It was such a positive experience at the time when they needed it.

APH: What do you like best about your job?

PM: Seeing all of my clients satisfied that everything they needed to be done is the way they want it to be done before I leave.

APH: What do you like to do when you are not working?

PM: Take care of my little girl.  I also enjoy reading to refresh my brain on current research, walking, and occasionally watching television.

APH: Do you have a family?

PM: Yes, I have my family and I also have dogs.

APH: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

PM: I’d like to go to any Asian country to spend time with those with less privileges.

Thank you, Patricia, for everything you do for A Place at Home and truly showing our clients that We are CARE – Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful and Ethical. We are pleased to have you on our team!

Paying for Long-Term Care

Have you thought about how you might pay for long-term care? Do you believe that Medicare is an option? What does long-term care insurance cover?

These are questions that many individuals, young or old, may ask themselves about paying for long-term care.

There are several ways to pay for care as you age, but Medicare is not one of them. Medicare is an insurance offered to individuals 65 and over. It will help cover medical visits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and prescription medications only. Depending on the type of plan you acquire will determine how much is covered.

There are four primary ways to pay for long-term care:

  1. Private (Savings, Pension, IRA, etc.)
  2. Long-Term Care Insurance
  3. Veteran’s Aid & Attendance
  4. Medicaid

Private Pay

Private pay is pretty straightforward. You write a monthly check or have it directly deposited from your bank account to the senior living community.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-Term Care Insurance, on the other hand, comes in many different ways, shapes, and forms. This type of insurance can cover partial or full, short, or long-term. It can even have a lifetime value. So, if you are young and think about your future, your best bet is to purchase a life insurance policy that will deduct for long-term care when and if needed.

Veteran’s Aid and Attendance

Veteran’s Aid and Attendance is how many veterans and their spouses or widows can attain assistance. If you or your spouse have served in the armed forces during a specific time frame, fall under a financial parameter, and need support for daily living activities, this monthly aid can be a way to help pay.

Medicaid

Medicaid is an option if there is little or no money remaining. There are several senior living communities that will accept Medicaid upon admittance. Some require you to pay privately for a set number of months before rolling over.

If you are considering a move to the next place to call home, we can help. Our free Senior Living Alternatives service can help find the best way to pay for your future plans. Contact our Senior Living Advisor today. We are happy to help pave the way or navigate any of these payment options.

Useful resources about paying for care as you age:

 

What is Long-Term Care

AARP

Veteran’s Aid and Attendance

How to Become Certified as a CNA or Medication Aide

For those interested in becoming caregivers for A Place at Home, the first step is to get a CNA license. This not only provides certification, but lets that caregiver apply for jobs in many healthcare settings. CNAs can work in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, doctors offices, or privately for a client.

A license requires CNAs to complete at least 75 hours of state-approved training. In most classes, clinicals give hands-on experience for the student.

Some companies allow caregivers to provide care without having a CNA license. On-the-job training helps the employee get experience while still learning. For state licensed companies, however, a CNA license is required.

Getting a Medication Aide license goes a step further in addition to the CNA. This lets caregivers pass medications in-home or in community settings. A 20-hour Med Aide certification allows you to pass medications in a home setting. A 40-hour license enables you to pass medications in a facility. Medical professionals highly recommend the 40-hour certification. It will allow the caregiver more options for jobs and hours.

If your CNA or CMA license has lapsed or is inactive, take a refresher course that will let you reactivate your license. A CNA license can also be a stepping-stone to a nursing career. Hands-on experience as a CNA is vital to becoming a nurse. Whether aiming for an LPN or an RN, having CNA experience is vital to the learning process.

Classes for both CNA and CMA certification are offered in the classroom or online. Prices vary based on the school and course offerings and inclusions. Make sure to double check your state requirements to assure you’re taking a state-certified class.  Search for classes at community colleges, health colleges, or check with your State Department of Health.

Some useful resources for finding CNA or CMA classes:

American Red Cross

nursingassistantguides.com

findcnaclasses.com

wecareonlineclasses.com

cnaclassesnearyou.com

What Does it Take to Become a CNA or CMA?

For anyone interested in becoming a caregiver, the first step is to get a CNA license. This not only provides certification, but enables that caregiver to apply for jobs in many healthcare settings. Certification requires CNAs to complete at least 75 hours of state-approved training. In most classes, clinicals are used towards the end of the course to provide a hands-on experience. CNA classes in the Omaha area are comparable in price (usually around $400-450).

Obtaining a Medication Aide license goes a step further and enables that caregiver to pass medications in-home or in community settings. A 20-hour Med Aide certification allows you to pass meds in a home setting, while a 40-hour certification enables you to pass meds in a facility. The 40-hour certification is highly recommended in that it will allow you more options for placement and hours. CMA classes generally cost between $300-$350.

If your CNA or CMA license has lapsed or is inactive, refresher courses are available that will enable you to reactivate your licensure. Prices for these classes vary.

Classes for both CNA and CMA certification can be taken in the classroom or online, and prices vary based on the institution and course offerings and inclusions. Make sure to double check with your state requirements to assure that your program is state-certified.

Find the course that’s best for you and your career aspirations by following the links below.

CNA and CMA classes in the Omaha area

Nebraska Methodist College

  •             Four week on-campus program or six-week online hybrid program
  •             www.methodistcollege.edu

Quality CNA/CMA Classes

  •             76-hour course
  •             Payment plans available
  •             www.qualitycnacma.com

Metropolitan Community College

Clarkson College

Promise Healthcare Training Center

Midland University

Join us on the 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer’s

A Place at Home is ready to take the first step to a world without Alzheimer’s when we join the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s at 12 pm on September 24. We hope you will join our walk team or simply come by to cheer us on.

The route is only two miles with a one-mile route option available. There is no cost to participate, however if you’d like to donate to the cause, please visit our A Place at Home walk team page organized by our Community Liaison, Chris Cummings.A Place at Home 2016 Walk to End Alzheimer's Team

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is held in more than 600 communities nationwide and it is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Why do we need to work together to help stamp out Alzheimer’s disease? Consider these facts from the Alzheimer’s Association:

  • More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s
  • Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States
  • 1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer’s or another dementia
  • Deaths from Alzheimer’s have increased by 89% since the year 2000
  • Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops the disease

Walk details:

When: Sunday September 24, 2017

Where: Midtown Crossing – Turner Park – 3220 Farnam St.

Time: Registration starts at 10:30, Walk begins at 12:00 pm

We hope to see you there!

Making Independent Living Possible: Gertrude’s Story

Sometimes moving to an independent as opposed to assisted living community is the best option. That’s the way it was for 85-year-old Gertrude.

Gertrude was living in a nice two-bedroom apartment in a swanky part of town. She lived near several retail and grocery stores. She also lived off a beautiful lake and her apartment building offered an underground garage.

She was doing okay, but her 3 adult children, who all lived out of town, were starting to get concerned. They were worried that Gertrude might not be taking her medications properly and there was no one to make sure that she was doing so. They were also concerned that there was no one to check on her on a regular basis.

That’s when their son, John contacted me. He let me know when he was going to be visiting Omaha. We talked about the things his mother liked to do as well as what her budget looked like, and I proceeded to set up a couple of tours for one Sunday afternoon in June.

After our tours, he and his mother chose a community that was close to her current home. They liked the atmosphere and activities that were offered and the fact that it was very close to many restaurants and shops (just like what she was used to). She would have a full kitchen, yet two meals a day would be included in her monthly rent. Gertrude would also have a heated underground garage. However, she would still have transportation for those days she did not want to drive or there was bad weather. This community also offered a contingency plan with assisted living and memory apartments.

In lieu of moving to assisted living, her family opted for A Place at Home’s Care Coordination Program where our nurse, Denise, could provide medication assistance for Gertrude. Her medications would be kept in a lock box in her independent apartment. Denise could also accompany Gertrude to all of her medical appointments since her children all live out of town.

Today, Gertrude resides in this independent living community and is flourishing from daily activities and having access to so many public areas within the building.

Gertrude’s story is similar to many that I encounter every day. Oftentimes families aren’t sure what all is included in the different types of living communities, and drilling down all the details can be confusing and cumbersome (especially when the family members live out of town). Our Senior Living Alternatives service was designed to make sure families make the best decisions for their loved ones, and part of that service also entails assessing all the needs and how our other A Place at Home services might be useful in allowing the senior to live the best life they can.

 

Coping with Feelings of Grief

Coping with the loss of friends or family members can be one of the most difficult parts of the aging process. As emotional beings, it can take a significant amount of time to realize that even though “loss is forever, our grief is not.”

Additionally, know that you are not alone. People are quick to forget that grieving is normal. While it may be uncomfortable, the feelings that we experience after the loss of a friend or family member are inherently human. Recognizing these five stages of grief before one experiences them can shed light on a typically dark and lonely time.

Recognizing the 5 Stages of Grief

The medical community has accepted this basic model for recognizing five stages of grief based on the work of psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. It is normal for some people to experience these stages in sequence. Others, however, may recognize two stages occurring at the same time or none at all. Do not feel out of place if you are unable to identify with these five stages of grieving.

  1. Denial: The reality of the situation has yet to set in. The grieving party is completely unable to come to terms with the loss.
  2. Anger: Denial often resolves into anger. The grieving party directs frustration at others, attempting to pin blame or find fault.
  3. Bargaining: Overwhelmed by emotions, the grieving party will attempt unsuccessfully to make an arrangement that they believe can eliminate the source of grief.
  4. Depression: The grieving party becomes consumed with sadness. These are typically over undeniable facts such as the shortness of human life and the sudden nature of a loss.
  5. Acceptance: The grieving party comes to terms with the full spectrum of emotional responses and realizes optimistically that there will be an end to the feeling of grief.

In most cases, this model may not mirror your emotional experiences of grief or even attempt to characterize the complexity of your situation. Recognize these stages so you can make better sense of your overwhelming emotions.

Managing Feelings of Intense Grief

For seniors, intense feelings of grief can seriously disrupt their daily schedules. Coping with the loss of a loved one can result in:

  • Worsening of existing physical pain
  • Difficulty sleeping regularly
  • Increased Tendency to Drink or Smoke
  • Disinterest in daily life, hobbies/social activities, friends
  • Lack of attention given to personal care/hygiene

If the emotional stress of your grief is overwhelming, get in touch with a caregiver or mental health professional. There are many types of treatment in the form of medication and therapy that can help improve a senior’s ability to cope with grief.

Article Sources:

Keeping Seniors Active This Winter – Benefits of Exercise

For seniors, managing to find the time or energy to exercise on a daily basis can be hard enough. But when the wind is blowing and the snow is falling, low temperatures and icy conditions can prevent everyone young and old from getting active during the dreaded winter months.

Remember, physical activity increases blood flow to your whole body. Staying active is important for your whole body, including your brain. Performing a minimal amount of daily physical movement and exercise can even help to prolong some of the memory loss and cognitive decline associated with aging.

Focus on Realistic Goals

The key to finding the appropriate activity and exercise for you or your aging loved ones is to firstly focus on realistic goals.

What do you want to accomplish through the pursuit of a particular workout?
For older adults, exercises should help to target important skills and abilities that will keep them safe in their daily routines.

Improve Fall Prevention

Each year, one third of Americans age 65 or older experience an accidental fall that could end their lives. For seniors, living in fear of falling should not have to be a part of the daily routine. Aging adults can mitigate both fear and risk by dedicating a small window of time towards working on balance each day.

For a comprehensive list of movements geared towards fall prevention, check out Medline Plus’ entry on balance exercises. The workouts are easy enough to perform from the comfort of your own home or at work with little space. Examples of appropriate balance exercises include standing on one foot or using a chair to perform leg raises.

Choose Low Impact Activities

Looking for an excuse to venture away from your usual spot at home or work? Don’t underestimate the value of walking for your strength training.

If the sidewalks are plowed and the temperature is bearable, then take a stroll around the block. If winter conditions are discouraging, visit a large store or indoor mall and get your exercise done while shopping for groceries or new clothes. Stairs within your home or office can also provide the necessary challenge for a quick, effective workout.

As an alternative, many adults with joint pain and arthritis will turn to water aerobics or other similar exercises that can be done in the pool as their outlet for physical activity. Water provides a kind of low-impact resistance training capable of targeting your joints and muscles.

Retain Your Flexibility

Most importantly, begin your exercise routine with a simple stretching warm-up. As we age, our muscles become shorter and lose their elasticity causing a decreased range of motion.

For seniors, stretching is essential for staying limber and flexible enough to perform the basic activities needed to get through the day. Yoga can provide the necessary movements and kind of low impact workout needed to increase flexibility as we age.

Retaining good flexibility and range of motion through stretching can be even more important when wearing layers to combat cold temperatures.

Don’t Give Up

If these exercises feel overwhelming at first, don’t simply quit. It can take your body weeks to adjust to a new routine of physical activity. Be sure to start with reasonable and realistic goals based on your current abilities and limitations.

Article Sources:

A Place at Home specializes in providing Compassionate Care delivered by Passionate Professionals, including urgent care. Our skilled caregivers advocate for the health and wellness of those who want to remain in the comfort of their own homes.

Improving Accessibility in the House for Seniors to Stay Home Longer

Providing quality care for aging adults begins at home. Our homes represent so much more than just physical places filled with our possessions. Homes reflect their owners’ identities and give a sense of comfort.

According to AARP, an overwhelming 89% of older Americans said they wish to remain in their current home for as long as possible. While a person’s mobility may decline with age, the level of accessibility at his or her current residence should not. With the right approach, home modifications can be done quickly and at a relatively low cost.

Before making any changes within the house, evaluate access to your main entrance. Consider the importance of universal design for your home. Universal designs create a safer and more comfortable home for everyone, regardless of age, size, or ability.

Do you or a loved one require full wheelchair accessibility? If so, modifications will not only allow that person to reach the door, but also to pass through it while remaining comfortably seated. In order to increase accessibility for wheelchairs, consider adding a ramp leading up to the house from ground level. A vertical lift is a possibility if you lack the space for a ramp. The cost depends on the size and choice of materials, however there is financial aid available for those who qualify.

If you or a loved one cannot afford the cost of a necessary repair, consider these options:

  • Medicare, Medicaid, and your current health insurance plan
  • Contact your local Area Agency on Aging regarding the availability of funds to help you get started.
  • Look for grants available through your church or local community as well as the federal government.
  • Lastly, consider loan options from your bank based on your home equity.

Adapting your home to your abilities through the use of universal design principles does not stop at the front door of your house. Many modifications can be made to increase the level of accessibility for your home’s interior as well. In some cases, an occupational therapy assessment can help identify which aspects of your home pose the greatest challenges to your mobility.

Stairs tend to pose a challenging risk for aging adults. A stairway lift can provide full independence, especially for upstairs bedrooms. Guarantee accessibility to communication devices by using cordless phones or cellular devices to place nearby in case of an emergency. If necessary, install an intercom system in place of a standard doorbell.

Bathrooms and kitchens can also be complex areas to navigate for those with limited mobility. Lowering sinks and counter tops, installing appliances and light switches that are easy to reach, and adding assistive devices are all possible solutions that an assessment may suggest.

If limited mobility is contributing to your loved one’s inability to perform daily functions, financing the necessary renovations to diminish environmental threats is crucial for both happiness and survival. Ask your doctor or care provider about the possible benefits of receiving an occupational therapy assessment for your place of comfort today. Contact A Place at Home today to learn more.