Sam and Marlene: A Senior Living Alternatives Success Story

Our Senior Living Advisor shared a success story about a couple who were married for 53 years and needed to find a new place to call home.

Here’s the story of Sam and Marlene:

What would you do if your spouse was having memory loss?  Do you think you would be their sole caregiver?

Maybe these are questions that you might have never asked yourself. However, as the  Senior Living Advisor at A Place at Home, I see this situation often.

Recently, I received a call from a man named Sam.  Sam has been married to Marlene for 53 years. They were living in a house and Marlene’s memory had been failing for the last few years.  She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013.  Sam could no longer leave his house without Marlene.  Sometimes he would run to the store for about an hour, but he knew that it was no longer safe for her to be alone.  Sam enjoyed playing golf with his friends but now it had become difficult because of Marlene’s memory decline.

I sat down with Sam and Marlene at their kitchen table in their home.  We discussed options.  Did he want to hire in-home care for Marlene or move to a Senior Living Community?  Did he want to move with or without her?

Sam said that he was tired of taking care of a house and worrying about yard work and snow removal.  He wanted to simplify his life and still have his independence without worrying about Marlene’s safety all the time.  It was also important for him to reside with her.

Sam provided me with his budget and location.  Together we narrowed down the options based on their needs.  Next, I set up and accompanied Sam on tours of three Senior Living Communities.  Sam and Marlene each had Long Term Care Insurance.  Long Term Care Insurance can only be used if “care” is needed.  So, Sam chose a community that had Assisted Living apartments so that they could share an apartment together.  Sam moved in at care level 0 and Marlene moved in at care level 3.  Marlene’s long term care insurance started kicking in upon their move-in while Sam’s policy would not be active yet.

Today, Sam goes golfing with his friends and knows that Marlene will be safe in their Senior Living Community.  He can still reside and spend time with Marlene but is no longer her sole caregiver.

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the couple.

Understanding our Senior Living Alternatives Service

Have you ever had to help a loved one move from their own home to a Senior Living Community?

If so, then you will unquestionably understand how difficult this process can be, and that’s why A Place at Home offers our Senior Living Alternatives service.

This article will help you understand how I can make the transition an easier one for you or someone you might know.

Simply put, this is what I do every day.

My name is Kari McElderry and I am the Senior Living Advisor at A Place At Home.  My job is to assist individuals when seeking a Senior Living Community. I help ANYONE and it’s a FREE service.  Yes, I did say FREE.

Our first meeting can be at your home, coffee shop or on the telephone.  My job is to make it as convenient as possible for you or the guardian during this stressful time.  It is at this initial meeting when I assess the budget, care, amenities, and location.

There are many variables when it comes to the budget.  What is your monthly income?  Do you have a pension?  Do you own your house?  Are you a Veteran or a spouse of one?  Will you need a Medicaid waiver?  These are some questions that I may be inquiring about.

The care is also essential.  Are you seeking Independent, Assisted or Memory?   Will you need skilled?  Sometimes I speak with couples who need two different types of care.  I help them decide if they should move together or if it’s more feasible for one to stay at home.  They may even move to two different sections of a community.  Every situation is different.

Amenities also can play a part.  Do you want a chapel, transportation or weekly housekeeping?  How about a happy hour?  There can be many benefits to community living.

Sometimes this is what it’s all about.  Do you want to be near a family member, friend, church or shopping mall?  These are all things to consider.

Next, I narrow down the options based on all of the information that has been provided to me.  I have a matrix of all the Senior Living Communities in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area.  I have also been to these communities.  This is all part of my job description and how I can assist.

Once we have discussed which communities are more appealing to your wants and needs, I set up and accompany the tours.  I am there to hold you or a loved one’s hand and help them walk through what is otherwise known to be a daunting process.  All communication between you and the Senior Living Communities can be directed through me.  This way you will not have several communities contacting you and making your decision a more confusing one.

Also, did I mention that I am a referral source for real estate agents; moving, sizing down, organizational and estate sale companies?  It is true for all of the above.

Just consider me as your personal concierge when it comes to a Senior Living Alternative.

I am a one-stop-shop for a Senior Living Transition and it’s absolutely FREE.  I can be reached at 402-218-1868.  Let me know if I can assist you or someone you know today.

Private Caregivers Vs. In Home Care Company Caregivers

There is a lot of information out there about whether you should hire private caregivers vs. an agency. Here are some key issues to consider when deciding what route to take.

A Place at Home Provides Agency Caregivers at Home

What this means to our clients is that our caregivers are thoroughly screened including national background checks for criminal, driving, elder/child abuse, drugs, and sex offender.  APH caregivers are insured and bonded, go through a rigorous hiring process, and trained thoroughly on specific care needs, all the while, focusing on being professionally excellent with your loved ones!  APH will also pair client and caregiver based on caregiver specialties and personality characteristics.

 https://www.facebook.com/aplaceathome/videos/951821084849052/A Place at Home receives dozens of applications for employment. The select few who pass the initial screening and phone interview then are asked to come in for a personal interview. Those who receive a personal interview have a hiring ratio of 1 to 5 applicants meaning we are very selective. Our motto is if we would not put them with our family we would not put them with yours!

So what are private caregivers?

Although they can cost less per hour then agency caregivers, you still need to be selective and weary of “hidden” costs.

  • Private caregivers rarely are insured and if are injured at your home, home owners insurance rarely will cover a private caregiver.  Workers compensation for injury could fall on your loved one.
  • You typically do not know the background of the caregiver, even if you hired family or a friend.  When hiring a private caregiver be sure to do your due diligence and complete all needed background checks both nationally and at the state level.
  • Private caregivers are rarely bonded as well. Be sure to ask this on initial meeting with them.
  • Private caregivers rarely have anyone to hold them accountable for their actions. This could mean: receiving a bill for care you did not receive, not having a back-up in case the caregiver were to become sick, and even things such as car problems could result in the caregiver not showing up.

Ultimately we are not advocating against private caregivers, just simply encouraging all of our potential clients to do their research. If you have first hand experience dealing with private caregivers, we encourage you to share your experience with us and our clients on Facebook or Twitter.

Paying for Long-Term Care

Have you thought about how you might pay for long-term care?

These are questions that many individuals ask themselves and below are a few solutions.

There are many ways to pay for long-term care. Unfortunately, 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. The type of plan you acquire will determine how much is covered.

There are four primary ways to pay for assisted living or memory 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 straight forward. You simply write a monthly check or have it direct 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 forms. It can cover partial or full, short-or long-term, and some have a lifetime value. If you are thinking about your future, consider purchasing a life insurance policy. Specifically one that will deduct for long-term care when and if needed.

Veteran’s Aid and Attendance

Veteran’s Aid and Attendance can help many veterans and their spouses/widows attain assistance.  If you or your spouse have served in the armed forces, then this monthly aid can be a way to help pay. Parameters include time frame served, financial status, and what assistance is needed.

Medicaid

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

If you are considering a move to the next place to call home, our free Senior Living Alternatives service can help. We’ll review your finances and find the best way to pay for your care. Contact our Senior Living Advisor today who will help navigate through any of these payment options.

Useful resources about paying for long-term care:

https://longtermcare.acl.gov/costs-how-to-pay/what-is-long-term-care-insurance/

http://www.aarp.org/health/health-insurance/info-06-2012/understanding-long-term-care-insurance.html

American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance

Veteran’s Aid and Attendance

VIDEO: CEO Dustin Distefano Talks About Our RN Advocacy Program

https://www.facebook.com/aplaceathome/videos/961943830503444/

About A Place at Home

Our mission is to be an in-home care agency providing Compassionate Care delivered by Passionate Professionals who advocate for the health and wellness of those who want to remain in the comfort of their own home. We believe that seniors are happiest when they are able to remain in the comfort of their own homes. When you need us, we are also there to offer care coordination of the healthcare system.

A Place At Home‘s current coverage area in Nebraska includes the communities of Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Elkhorn, Fremont, Blair, Wahoo and Gretna. With the completion of our second branch office in Council Bluffs in June 2015, we have expanded our reach to Nebraska’s neighboring communities in Iowa.

VIDEO: Our Care Coordination Program

https://www.facebook.com/aplaceathome/videos/954514757913018/

About A Place at Home

Our mission is to be an in-home care agency providing Compassionate Care delivered by Passionate Professionals who advocate for the health and wellness of those who want to remain in the comfort of their own home. We believe that seniors are happiest when they are able to remain in the comfort of their own homes. When you need us, we are also there to offer care coordination of the healthcare system.

A Place At Home‘s current coverage area includes the Nebraska communities of Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Elkhorn, Fremont, Blair, Wahoo and Gretna as wall as Council Bluffs, Iowa and surrounding Iowa communities.

VIDEO: Understanding the Major Problems with Typical Senior Living Situations II

https://www.facebook.com/aplaceathome/videos/954532617911232/

About A Place at Home

Our mission is to be an in-home care agency providing Compassionate Care delivered by Passionate Professionals who advocate for the health and wellness of those who want to remain in the comfort of their own home. We believe that seniors are happiest when they are able to remain in the comfort of their own homes. When you need us, we are also there to offer care coordination of the healthcare system.

A Place At Home‘s current coverage area in Nebraska includes the communities of Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Elkhorn, Fremont, Blair, Wahoo and Gretna. With the completion of our second branch office in Council Bluffs in June 2015, we have expanded our reach to Nebraska’s neighboring communities in Iowa.

VIDEO: Understanding the Importance of Our Hiring and Training Process

https://www.facebook.com/aplaceathome/videos/954492167915277/

About A Place at Home

Our mission is to be an in-home care agency providing Compassionate Care delivered by Passionate Professionals who advocate for the health and wellness of those who want to remain in the comfort of their own home. We believe that seniors are happiest when they are able to remain in the comfort of their own homes. When you need us, we are also there to offer care coordination of the healthcare system.

A Place At Home‘s current coverage area in Nebraska includes the communities of Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Elkhorn, Fremont, Blair, Wahoo and Gretna. With the completion of our second branch office in Council Bluffs in June 2015, we have expanded our reach to Nebraska’s neighboring communities in Iowa.

VIDEO: Handling Urgent Care Requests at A Place at Home

https://www.facebook.com/aplaceathome/videos/954480917916402/

About A Place at Home

Our mission is to be an in-home care agency providing Compassionate Care delivered by Passionate Professionals who advocate for the health and wellness of those who want to remain in the comfort of their own home. We believe that seniors are happiest when they are able to remain in the comfort of their own homes. When you need us, we are also there to offer care coordination of the healthcare system.

A Place At Home‘s current coverage area in Nebraska includes the communities of Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Elkhorn, Fremont, Blair, Wahoo and Gretna. With the completion of our second branch office in Council Bluffs in June 2015, we have expanded our reach to Nebraska’s neighboring communities in Iowa.

A Place at Home on Aging Matters

Listen to A Place at Home’s President, Jerod Evanich, talk about some of the unique challenges of senior care and the success of our nurse advocacy program on KCRO 660AM\94.5FM’s radio show “Aging Matters.”

About A Place at Home

Our mission is to be an in-home care agency providing Compassionate Care delivered by Passionate Professionals who advocate for the health and wellness of those who want to remain in the comfort of their own home. We believe that seniors are happiest when they are able to remain in the comfort of their own homes. When you need us, we are also there to offer care coordination of the healthcare system.

A Place At Home’s current coverage area in Nebraska includes the communities of Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Elkhorn, Fremont, Blair, Wahoo and Gretna. With the completion of our second branch office in Council Bluffs in June 2015, we have expanded our reach to Nebraska’s neighboring communities in Iowa.