Karen Cifala, a Remax SRES Realtor (Senior Real Estate Specialist), in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia has made it her passion to help her older clients stay in their home as long a possible. Many professionals predict care giving and health care is, and will in the future, be returning to the home.
“Technology is a huge factor in the ability for a person to stay at home" says Sonna Russell local resident and a professional in the senior adult industry. Part of the dilemma for adult children is the dispensing and management of medications. For example, automated pill boxes are available to insure that medications will be taken properly. The pill is dispensed and a buzzer goes off until the pills are taken. Some units even notify caregivers through the phone system. The cost to purchase one of these pill boxes is minimal compared to the cost of other alternatives”.
Health care is often the biggest expense in retirement and the hardest to predict. Things to consider when opting to stay at home are the costs of installing ramps, railings and lifts. For persons with dementia other additional safety measures might need to be added.
It often saves money when families hire a friend or a private caregiver. Using additional services can result in good care. Families should keep the following in mind:
· Do a background check on people other than family – there may be a small fee
· Ask for personal references
· Who will pay the caregivers Social Security and define the terms in writing
· Check your homeowners insurance policy for coverage of any unexpected incident
· Make use of resources such as a parish nurse or area aging agency
· Enroll in meals on wheels – contact the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging
· Provide outside socialization such as attending a senior center, or an Adult Day Service
· Record caregiver’s time and payments for care, it’s tax deductible and income to the caregiver
· Check with Medicaid regarding compensation for the family member caregiver
· Ensure the family caregiver receives respite; Non-medical care, Aging services, churches, friends, etc., are good resources for respite care.
Taking care of Mom or Dad at home may not be possible for the family member themselves and may depend on factors such as the type of care needed and the time involved in taking time off work and the physical and mental strain on the caregiver.
To help with this decision families need to first consider two major differences in the types of home care available and which would be the most appropriate:
Skilled / Medical Home Care - All skilled care must be physician ordered, verified through an assessment and provided by licensed professionals. Therapies include physical, speech, and occupational therapies. It is paid for by Medicare for a designated number of days. Skilled home care companies are inspected by the state and regulated by Medicare. To check a care facility in your area go to: www.medicare.gov/homehealthcompare.
Non-Medical Home Care is available where ever the person lives. It is not covered by Medicare, however may be covered by Medicaid, long term insurance, or veteran programs. Services include:
1. Companion Care: medication reminders, light housekeeping, shopping and errands, grooming, meal preparation, transportation and live-in services.
2. Personal Care: bathing, hygiene, walking and mobility assistance, oral hygiene, continence and toileting care, and eating assistance.
Adult Day Service offers extended hours for working families, transportation, meals and activities. The staff includes a social worker, a registered nurse and a recreational director. Medicaid or a sliding scale fee as well as long term insurance may cover these services.
Benefits of using a non-medical company are matching caregivers to clients, giving on-going training to certified aides and providing specific training for dementia related care. Using a licensed company relieves the family of overseeing the caregiver, Social Security reporting and background checks.
Hospice Care provides care in the home, local nursing homes and assisted living facilities for terminally ill patients. Hospice not only offers medical care, but also delivers support for families in many different ways. Social workers, counselors and clergy support are a part of the service. Blue Ridge Hospice provides an eight-bed Inpatient Care Center in downtown Winchester as an alternative setting for some patients and their families. Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance companies; care must be ordered by a physician.
There are now to help lighten the burden of providing home care. For families who choose to provide care at home using a combination of these services, along with Adult Day Service, ultimately can provide quality care for their loved ones with less stress.
Local Resource list:
Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging - 540-635-7141 Shenandoah Area Aging on Aging
Blue Ridge Hospice, Skilled and Companion/Personal care - 540-536-5210 Blue Ridge Hospice
Alzheimer’s Association – 800-272-3900 Helpline Alzheimer's Association
Virginia Senior Navigator - 804-525-7728 Virginia Senior Navigator
The Adult Care Center of the Northern Shenandoah Valley – 540-722-2273 The Adult Day Care Center of Northern Shenandoah Valley
Karen Cifala is a Senior Real Estate Specialists with Remax Roots in Berryville Va. Her interest in Seniors carries though into her work on a daily basis. To reach her you can call her at 303-817-9374 or email her at kcifala@gmail.com. Her articles are published monthly for the Clarke County Observer newspaper.
Comments(0)