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A Day at the Movies

January 31st, 2012

A few days ago I caught a mid-day movie at the theater and couldn’t help but notice that many of the people there were seniors.  Several were a part of a group that came together.  I imagine that many people struggle with coming up with ideas for things to do with their senior loved ones and simply going to see a movie with them is an easy idea.  So easy that it may just slip their minds.

Of course, going to the movie theater is not cheap these days, but if your senior is not that active it has the added benefit of a little exercise (as long as you skip the buttered popcorn).  If, however, money is an issue for you, keep in mind that many theaters have a senior discount.

Let’s say, though, that your senior loved one is movement impaired, or the checkbook is a little tight this month.  You can go the stay at home route and rent a movie for $1 at a Redbox kiosk.

Whether you go out or stay at home you and your loved one always have the option to see a movie.  Best of all, it is something you and your entire family can do together and spending time together is the most important thing.

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Salute to Senior Service

January 16th, 2012

Today Home Instead Senior Care is beginning it’s Salute to Senior Service program.  The program intends to honor seniors enriching their communities through volunteering.

“Helping others defines life for many local seniors,” said Becky Beanblossom, owner of Home Instead Senior Care Louisville.  “And what a difference we have observed in seniors’ health, attitude, and outlook among those who choose to stay active as they age.”

Now through March 15, 2012 nominations can be made at www.salutetoseniorservice.com (Nomination forms can also be requested at ckoehler@homeinsteadinc.com).  Nominees must be at least 65 years old and volunteer at least 15 hours a month.

The state Senior Hero winners will receive plaques, and their stories will be posted on the Salute to Senior Service website.

The program will conclude in May, during Older Americans Month, with the selection of a national Salute to Senior Service winner from the winners in each state.  This winner will have $5,000 donated to the non-profit charity of their choice.

For more information about the Salute to Senior Service program or Home Instead Senior Care, please call 502-515-9515.

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January Job Fairs

January 13th, 2012

If a position as a CAREGiver with Home Instead Senior Care interests you, we will be holding two job fairs at the end of the month.

The first will be held Friday, January 20th from 10pm to 3pm.
The second will be held Tuesday, January 24th from 5pm to 7pm.

Both will be held at our offices at 4610 Taylorsville Road, Louisville KY 40220.

We will be allotting time to take new applications for our CAREGiver positions and will also provide on the spot interviews.  Applicants will not need an appointment but do need to bring employer history details and contact information for personal and professional references.

If you have any questions, call our office at (502) 515-9515.

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Learning New Things

April 22nd, 2011

I think everyone should have the opportunity to learn and grow, especially as we age. I have been fortunate to have been learning the Adobe Creative suite now for about 2 months. I have a guy Joe that comes and gives me an hour lesson every week. It is wonderful to learn something new, play with a new software and be able to create some really cool things.

As spring is upon us I want to encourage everyone to pick up a new hobby or challenge yourself to learn a new language (I purchased Rosetta Stone to learn Spanish but I haven’t done as well on this goal). In the vein of continuing education, we have are offering some incredible classes for our CAREGivers. We are training on everything from CPR to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease. Our CAREGivers are responding with such enthusiasm, proving they desire to continue learning too so that they can be the best CAREGiver possible. I encourage all who are reading this to get up and get busy stretching yourself today!

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Bridging the Gap in 2011

January 3rd, 2011

info-gap2A new year always brings new changes. This year, the first round of Baby Boomers are turning 65! This will be the first wave in what experts have dubbed the “Silver Tsunami”. As the population begins to swiftly age and life expectancies lengthen, the country will see a host of new issues associated with these changes, from escalated costs for programs like Social Security and Medicaid to increased demands on the medical system.

 

Thankfully, care options for aging Boomers are more sophisticated than ever before. The idea of aging in home until nursing care becomes inevitable is no longer the only option. According to Home Instead Senior Care’s white paper “Seniors and the Information Gap”, there are now eight distinct and custom tailored levels of senior care:

 

 

1. Senior centers
2. Adult care centers
3. In-home non-medical care
4. In-home medical care
5. Retirement and independent living communities
6. Assisted living communities
7. Skilled nursing homes
8. Hospice care

 

However, with the senior care system becoming more sophisticated, continual education is necessary to stay current on this ever-changing field. Many adult children and seniors are falling behind though, and failing to educate themselves. Home Instead Senior Care has dubbed this “the Senior Care Information Gap”.

 

Conducted in 2009 by the Boomer Project, Home Instead Senior Care commissioned a study of adult children and seniors in the U.S. and Canada to gauge the level of education concerning senior care. The findings were shocking. 73% of adult children had failed to plan for or even think about care for their aging loved ones and an astounding 50% of seniors hadn’t planned for their own care! Respondents knew very little about the options available. Most were only familiar with skilled nursing home care and assisted living care (two of the best known and most expensive options), but not much else. That’s only 25% of the options available!

 

Respondents also consistently overestimated the cost of care, except in the case of skilled nursing home care in which they severely underestimated the cost (about $78,000). In addition, seniors and adult children assumed that Social Security, Medicare, and personal retirement accounts or pensions would cover the financial burden. This is troublesome to hear. Especially when most people do not have the personal means to handle such a financial burden and Medicare and Medicaid only offer limited coverage in specific situations. Very few respondents even mentioned long term care insurance, a resource considered by experts to be essential.

 

So what does this mean for America and it’s aging population? Ill-informed and unprepared seniors will not only create a crisis for their families, but also for the facilities unable to service the overwhelming need of this “Silver Tsunami”. Elected officials will also receive substantial pressure to approve billions in spending for senior care services incurring more debt that the nation is unable to handle. According to Home Instead Senior Care, “In the absence of proper planning and informed decision making, the physical and emotional toll will be terrible and the financial cost intolerable.”

 

Education and proper planning will not only improve seniors’ quality of life, but save their families from undue stress. Insurers and taxpayers could potentially save vast sums of money as well. So Home Instead Senior Care’s resolution for 2011 is to bridge the Senior Care Information Gap! Help us with our resolution and educate your friends and loved ones on the importance of making informed senior care decisions.

 

For more information on senior care options, available financial resources, and ways to bridge the Senior Care Information Gap, contact Home Instead Senior Care at 502-515-9515. The white paper “Seniors and the Information Gap” is available for review here.

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It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

December 1st, 2010

If you’ve been in a super store recently, you’ve probably seen them. Those big signs proclaming “3 weekends until Christmas!!” (That’s right! Only 3! It shocked us, too.) You’ve probably already started to tick off those easy to shop for names on your list. Video games for your teenage son, a spa gift certificate for your sister… piece of cake. But what about the senior loved ones on your list?

 

santa_to_a_seniorSeniors are often cited as being the hardest ones to buy for. What do you get for the person who (seemingly) has everything? What would they need? Or event want? So as experts on seniors, we’ve conducted an analysis of more than 26,000 senior gift requests from the Home Instead Senior Care network throughout the U.S. Our analysis shows that seniors are often times a frugal lot and the things they need and want most are really very simple things. Take a look below at the top ten senior gift requests we received.

 

 

 

 Top Ten Senior Gift Requests

  1. Blankets or Throws
  2. Slippers or Socks
  3. Toiletries like lotion, cologne, or bodywash
  4. Pajamas and Robes
  5. Food like sausage, cheese, or chocolate
  6. Kitchen and Bath Towels
  7. Clothes like sweaters, sweatpants, and underwear
  8. Large print books and puzzles
  9. Cards and Stamps
  10. Gift cards to grocery stores and super stores

 

 

Hopefully, we’ve taken some of the guess work out of your holiday shopping and helped you find something you know your senior loved one will adore. If you or your senior loved one need any help this holiday season, please feel free to call our office at 502-515-9515. We can help with everything from holiday meal preparation and house cleaning to bathing and dressing. We’d love to give you a no-cost consultation.

 

 Also, did you know that many seniors will have no family to visit them this holiday season and won’t be receiving any gifts at all? In an effort to combat senior loneliness and financial need, Home Instead Senior Care is once again sponsoring the Be A Santa to A Senior program. Shoppers can choose an ornament from a tree at one of the local area retailers, purchase the gifts listed, and return them unwrapped to customer service. It’s a great way to give back to some very deserving seniors this holiday season. For more information on the Be A Santa to A Senior program, visit http://beasantatoasenior.com/.

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Help Around the Holidays

November 9th, 2010

nutcrackerIt’s that time of year again… The holidays are upon us! They sneak up on us every year, leaving us scrounging for last minute gifts and the recipe for Grandma’s famous stuffing. This year, as you make plans to visit out of town family or senior friends, pay a little extra attention. The holidays are a great time to check for signs indicating your aging loved ones may need a little extra help.

 

It’s not unusual for the phones at senior care companies to ring off the hook in early January. That’s when adult children seek advice after seeing troubling changes in their parents or other senior loved ones during family get-togethers. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 warning signs that seniors need help. These signs, along with others, can indicate physical and mental impairments that require immediate attention, such as dementia, depression, malnutrition, vision and hearing loss, arthritis joint problems, as well as other serious age-related issues.

 

When home, make doctors appointments and arrange transportation for your elderly family members. Don’t forget to consult with your local agency on aging and other senior care experts either. Seniors may not like to admit something is wrong, but assure them there are other alternatives, including utilizing an in-home care or companionship service to assist with daily chores and to serve as a second set of eyes when family members are unable to be there. Assistance with simple tasks like meal preparation, housekeeping, and medication reminders can often mean the difference between staying independent and moving to a facility.

 

For more information on signs that your loved one needs help, or to inquire about in home care for your aging loved one, call Home Instead Senior Care at 502-515-9515. And as always, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyous holiday season.

 

 

 

 

10 Warning Signs That Seniors Need Help

 

  1. Clutter.   Are bills piling up? Is the house unkempt or the yard overgrown?
  2. Personal Appearance.   Are their clothes stained and dirty? Are they neglecting their personal hygiene?
  3. Bruises.   Are there bruises that may indicate problems with balance? Are they unable or unwilling to walk long distances or down stairs? 
  4.  Weight Loss.   Are they losing weight? Is an illness or mobility issue preventing them from eating properly?
  5. Mood Changes.   Do they seem withdrawn or blue? Are their moods drastically different? Do they appear unsettled and out of sorts?
  6. Isolation.   Are they forgoing social outings with friends or skipping church services and doctors appointments?
  7. Scorched Pots and Pans.   Is forgetfulness or dementia causing the senior to neglect dinner cooking on the stove?
  8. Stained carpets and floors.   Are there food and drink stains on floors indicating mobility problems?
  9. Spoiled food.   Is there spoiled or expired food in the refrigerator, freezer or cupboards? Are seniors neglecting proper nutrition by purchasing convenience foods?
  10. Medications.   Are they taking their medications? Are medications expired? Are they forgetting to refill medications?

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October is Long Term Care Planning Month

October 6th, 2010

Plan early for long term care. When a crisis hits, it may be too late.

Plan early for long term care. When a crisis hits, it may be too late.

In addition to being the month of Halloween, October is also Squirrel Awareness month, National Popcorn Poppin’ month, and most importantly to us…. October is Long Term Care Planning month.

 

 

Planning for long term care is one of the most important things you or your loved one can do. Statistics show that 6 out of 10 people will need long term care, and often times when a crisis happens, it’s too late to plan for it. Loved ones can be left wondering what kind of options are available, how they will finance it, and what the person receiving care would prefer.

 

You may think that it’s too early for you to be thinking about long term care (or to be thinking about long term care for your loved one). You may think you won’t need it, or that when the time comes your family or friends will provide all the care you need. However, the need for long term care can arise suddenly. And family and friends may not always be able to provide the skilled and intensive care that may be needed

 

People often have concerns when planning for their long term care. They want to stay independent and in their homes as long as possible. They dread being a burden or financial drain on their families. They also worry about how they will afford or maintain adequate care. And lastly, they wonder what will happen if they don’t have enough money to cover long term care or if they outlive their assets. These are all valid concerns that should be addressed.

 

When addressing concerns and making long term care decisions, remember to plan ahead and plan early. A crisis is the worst time to make important decisions. Also, loved ones can be resistant to discussing long term care, whether it be a parent who doesn’t want to think about aging or an adult child who doesn’t want to discuss the possibility that their parent may not be able to care for themselves. So try and work it into everyday conversation where the topic can be less intimidating. Be sure to listen to your loved ones’ preferences and concerns and involve others. You may prefer that your parent live close to you so that you may provide care, but being a sole caregiver can become overwhelming.

 

Before looking around for long term care, you should consider a few questions. First, what kind of care will be needed? Do you or your loved one need occasional help with things like personal care or medication reminders? Or is there a need for more intensive medical assistance? Also, you should consider personal preferences. Do you or your loved one prefer a single room or is a roommate ok? Do you prefer to be close to friends or loved ones? Finances should be considered as well. What are the monthly fees and will you be able to afford any extra services? Lastly, you should compare options. Does the nursing home you’ve chosen receive good ratings? Does the assisted living facility you are considering offer more amenities than you would get in your home?

 

After formulating general answers for those questions, it’s time to start looking at the options. And there are quite a few! A few of the options for long term care are:

  • Home Care - caregivers or home health aides visit the home and provide assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and housekeeping. Home Instead Senior Care is an expert in providing this type of care.   Home Care may also come in the form of Home Health which is considered medical and provides a nurse, physical therapist, and sometimes a bath aide in the home for a limited amount of time.
  • Day Programs - day programs can provide exercise and social interaction for those seniors who do not require constant care. Many programs also offer transportation to and from the facility as well as some primary assistance such as medication reminders and basic medical monitoring.
  • Independent Senior Housing - Retirement communities that offer housing for seniors are becoming more and more abundant. Often times they consist of rental apartments that offer basic services like meals, housekeeping and transportation.
  • Assisted Living - assisted living facilities provide apartments that allow seniors to live somewhat independently within the facility. Staff at the facility may help with daily living activities, meals, housekeeping, and laundry. There may also be various amenities such as a hair salon or fitness  room.
  • Nursing Home - these skilled care facilities offer 24 hour nursing care for those recovering from illness or injury, those requiring constant skilled care, and for those requiring end of life care. Nursing homes provide the most intensive level of care available.
  • You may also notice that many communities will offer varying levels of care. Within the same facility, there may be senior housing, assisted living, and nursing home care available. Be sure when looking at long term care facilities that you compare them and check their ratings before choosing one.

 

After you’ve made your decision concerning what type of long term care to use, you may wonder how to finance it. There are several options available for financing, such as:

  • Private Pay - you or your loved one can set up a personal savings designated for long term care. However, long term care can be costly, and many people do not have sufficient funds to cover all of their long term care needs.
  • Long Term Care Insurance - with this option, monthly premiums are paid which can increase with age. Long term care insurance can cover nursing home care and other long term care services. Check and see that the services you want are covered before choosing a policy.
  • Medicaid - this option is designed for people who meet certain income limits. Coverage for other long term care options like home care or assisted living varies by state. Visit http://www.cms.gov/home/medicaid.asp for more information.
  • Medicare - this option is only for people over 65 and those who have certain disabilities. It does not cover long term care, but may cover limited nursing home care in certain situations. Visit http://www.medicare.gov/ for more information.

 

Planning for long term care can be scary and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. We’d love to help you create a plan that fits your needs. Feel free to call our office at 502-515-9515 to ask about all the long term care planning resources we have available. Be sure to ask about our 40/70 Rule resource booklet which can help make discussions about long term care easier for everyone. Or ask about our Home Care Solution resource booklet which discusses what home care is and who it is appropriate for.

 

Also, we’d like to thank the Mayo Clinic for contributing information for this post. For additional resources on long term care planning and aging, visit www.mayoclinic.com.

 

 

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We’re On the Move to End Alzheimer’s Disease!

September 3rd, 2010

We're on the move to end Alzheimer's!
We’re on the move to end Alzheimer’s!

With the 2010 Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk fast approaching, we’re geared up to spread the word about Alzheimer’s Disease! And with over 5.3 million Americans diagnosed with it, we think everyone else should be, too. Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal brain disease named for German physician Alois Alzheimer. It causes neurons in the brain to deteriorate and die, resulting in memory loss as well as severe cognitive and behavioral problems. It’s also very common. Nearly half of all seniors 85 years and older are thought to have Alzheimer’s Disease.

 

 

 

 

While there is not yet a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, there are treatments that can help alleviate symptoms and delay disease progression. Often times when a person is diagnosed with the disease, Cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed. These medications prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, an important chemical involved in learning and memory. They also support communication among nerve cells and delay symptoms for an average of 6 to 12 months in the majority of people who take them. Additionally, Alzheimer’s research has come a long way. Doctors may now be able to reliably predict a person’s chance of developing the disease from an analysis of their cerebral spinal fluid. So keep watching these advancements. Who knows what kind of things will be discovered about the diagnosis and treatment of this disease in the next decade!

 

Be aware that early detection of the disease is key in the treatment and delay of symptoms. So watch for these 10 common signs:

 

1. Disruptive memory loss

2. Challenges in planning/solving problems

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks

4. Confusion with time or place

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

8. Decreased or poor judgment

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities

10. Changes in mood or personality

 

Remember, forgetting where you put your keys is normal. Forgetting you children’s names isn’t.

 

For further information and resources on Alzheimer’s Disease, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website at http://www.alz.org. Or visit the Alzheimer’s care section of Home Instead East Louisville’s website. We also host an Alzheimer’s support group for spouses and caregivers on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 2:00pm, hosted by Becky Beanblossom, Home Instead East Louisville owner and Alzheimer’s Association board member. And don’t forget our CAREGivers receive advanced Alzheimer’s and dementia training in order for us to better help you care for your loved one.

 

So get out there and spread the word! And we’ll see you on September 11, 2010 at 8:00 am at Waterfront park for the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk. If you’d like to join the Home Instead Memory Walk Team, you can sign up at http://ow.ly/2zhrT. We’d love to have you! Come help us put an end to this disease!

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How Does the Affordable Care Act Affect Seniors?

August 6th, 2010

How will the new health care reform affect seniors?

How will the new health care reform affect seniors?

The National Council on Aging recently conducted a survey of 636 men and women over the age of 65 and found that the majority of participants were generally uninformed about the effects of the new Affordable Health Care Act and how it would relate to the kind of health care coverage they would receive.

 

 

 

 

Providing quality care for seniors is pretty important to us. After all, it’s what we do! And anything that can possibly help our clients make important decisions concerning their long-term care is worth a second look. So we did a little research, and here’s what we found. (Just the facts please, ma’am!)

 

The new law does not cut basic Medicare benefits. Guaranteed Medicare benefits will not change.

 

The new law offers temporary assistance and attempts to provide permanent solutions for prescription drug costs. People in the Medicare “donut hole” (people who combined with their Part D plan have prescription drug costs above $2830 but below $6440, and therefore are responsible for paying 100% of their prescription drug costs) will receive immediate assistance. As soon as you reach the donut hole, Medicare will automatically send you a check for $250 to help with the costs. By 2011, those in the donut hole should only pay half of what their plan charges for brand name drugs. The new law also proposes to slowly phase out and eliminate the hole by 2020.

 

The new law attempts to offer better preventative care. Starting in 2011, Medicare recipients will be entitled to a free annual wellness visit and prevention plan. Some preventative services such as cancer and diabetes screenings will also be provided at no cost.

 

Medicare spending will continue to grow. But experts predict the new law will save money. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a non-partisan group responsible for cost estimates, predicts that the rate of growth will slow from 6.8% per year to 5.5% per year under the new law. They also predict that the new law will save Medicare about $400 billion over 10 years, extend the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund until 2026, and reduce the budget deficit by $124 billion over 10 years.

 

Payments to Medicare Advantage plans will be reduced; possibly causing MA plans to make adjustments. The majority of seniors (about 75%) have original Medicare. Medicare pays about 13% more per person to MA plans. The new law will gradually reduce these payments, but will provide bonuses to plans offering high-quality care. In response to these decreased payments, MA plans may choose to cut extra benefits not offered with traditional Medicare, raise premiums, or drop out of the Medicare program. MA plans will not be allowed to cut any benefits that traditional Medicare guarantees.

 

Medicare will still not provide for long-term care, but will offer programs to assist lower income Medicare recipients with home care costs. In 2013, a new program called Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) will become available. Under this program, workers may choose to have premiums deducted from their paychecks. If you participate in CLASS for at least 5 years and become unable to perform basic activities such as dressing, bathing, or are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, you may become eligible for a daily cash benefit. This benefit can be used to pay for anything that will help you stay at home, such as assistance from a Home Instead CAREGiver.

 

If you’d like to know more about the Affordable Care Act, you can read it in its entirety at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/pagedetails.action?granuleId=&packageId=BILLS-111hr3590PP , (before you open it, please note that it is around 2400 pages long). Or, you can check out what the National Council on Aging has to say about the new law at http://www.ncoa.org/public-policy/health-care-reform/straight-talk-for-seniors-on.html. And as always, if you have any questions about the kind of care Home Instead Senior Care can provide you, you can visit us at http://www.seniorcarelouisville.net or give us a call at 502-515-9515.

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