Extended Care Solutions

Most Americans Don’t Plan For Long-Term Care

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:49:34 +0000

(NAPSI)-The need for long-term care and how to pay for it are often overlooked when planning for retirement.

While not for everyone, most middle-income consumers can benefit from owning a long-term care insurance policy, as it offers protection from having to spend down all assets to pay for these expenses.

With nursing home costs averaging more than $70,000 a year, according to the National Institute on Aging, many can’t afford not to include long-term care insurance in the planning process. All too often, though, that’s what happens.

“Though most people over 65 will need long-term care at some point in their life, they lack a realistic plan to pay for it,” explains Scott Perry, president of Bankers Life and Casualty Company, a national life and health insurer focused on the needs of the retirement market.

The mistaken belief that Medicare will cover all the expenses is among the many reasons why people avoid thinking about long-term care insurance. Research shows that the cost is often misunderstood, too. According to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI), consumers perceive the cost to be more than double what it actually is. Others are unaware that there are options that could allow them to choose a plan with lower premium rates.

“Cost can be a major barrier to buying long-term care insurance,” explains Perry. “However, by modifying benefit levels and elimination periods, you can find a long-term care policy that works within your budget.”`

According to the AALTCI, adding a deductible can reduce the yearly cost by 20 percent. Discounts for good health can lessen the cost by 10 to 20 percent, while discounts for married couples and partners can reduce the cost by as much as 40 percent.

Perry also encourages consumers to consider a policy that includes home health care. “We’ve found that older adults almost always prefer to remain in their homes when faced with an illness or health condition.”

Long-term care rates can vary widely from insurer to insurer, so it’s wise to look at the plans offered by at least two well-established insurers. And early planning can be worthwhile because, in addition to the benefit levels you choose, your long-term care insurance premium will be based on your age and your health.

Nursing home help, frequently used long-term care terms and helpful senior resources can be found at http://www.bankers.com/.

Information on Nursing Homes for the Elderly

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:41:15 +0000

from zikkir.com

by Debbie Dunn

An Article About Nursing Homes

Overview

Do you or a loved one need to decide where you will spend your final years? Are you or a loved one in need of “rehabilitation services” from a nursing home to help you overcome a temporary disability, recover from a debilitating illness, or relearn skills so that you can once again live and work independently. Residing in a nursing home is only one of the options available. This article is aimed to help you make an informed decision. You will read about

nursing homes facts, history, the three different types of nursing homes, a bit about insurance coverage, benefits, and other key information. Choosing to reside in a nursing home is a big decision. Armed with the information gleaned from this article, hopefully you can make the best decision possible.

The Facts

What is a nursing home? A nursing home is a residence for mostly senior citizens and sometimes young people who are not able to care for themselves either temporarily or permanently. The residents are provided with nurses, therapists, and other caregivers who help them deal with illness, injuries, and “functional disabilities.” When it is possible, “rehabilitation services” are provided with the primary goal of helping the resident to return home. The secondary goal is to improve his or her quality of life, whether their stay at the nursing home is short-term, long-term, or permanent.

Some of the therapy services available include physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapy.

History

Currently, the option of moving to a quality nursing home is taken for granted. This has not always been the case. PBS.org titles their article the “Evolution of nursing home care in the United States.” In the early 1900s, senior citizens and disabled citizens, when they could not afford to provide their own care, had to resort to living in residences known as “poor farms” or “almhouses.” Their quality of life would have been poor. Additionally, the reputation of those residents would be lowered as there was a social stigma attached to having to live in such a place.

In the 1930s, “the New Deal helped promote the idea that elderly citizens should receive federal benefits on the basis of need.” The Social Security laws were improved and was “now universal.”

Through the subsequent years, laws changed, sometimes to the benefit of our elderly citizens and sometimes to their detriment. It was not until 1972, that Public Law 92-603 was passed. It “contained a number of reforms for

nursing homes, including a new policy that Medicaid would reimburse

nursing homes on a ‘reasonable cost-related basis’, with the hope that the facilities would provide better care.” Yet even after that time, the laws continued to fluctuate. Even as late as 1997, the Boren Amendment was repealed that proposed “to ensure ‘reasonable and adequate’ provider reimbursement rates.” In other words, improvements still need to be made.

On the fact sheet provided by PBS.org, they state that “67 percent of nursing home facilities were for-profit in 1999-2000, 26 percent were nonprofit and 7 percent were government owned and operated.”

Types

There are three main types of residential

nursing homes or categories: independent living, assisted living, and full care.

Nelson & Wallery, Ltd., a financial and Internet marketing consulting firm, who specialize in the senior care industry, include many details and information about

Nursing homes. They suggest that “Independent living is for people who can take care of themselves and includes residing in one’s own home or apartment, a retirement community, or independent living apartments.”

With Assisted Care living, the resident is able to take care many of their own needs. Often, they have a small apartment to live in complete with kitchen, bedroom, living room, and bathroom. They have the option of visiting the residential dining room or cooking for themselves. The residents have the peace of mind of knowing that should they fall or need emergency help, there is a pull cord located in the bathroom and perhaps some other locations of their apartment. Nelson & Wallery, Ltd., state that these residents also have access to “housekeeping, medication assistance, laundry, and regular check-ins.”

In a full-care nursing home, the resident often has one to no more than three roommates, sometimes receives therapy, and frequently needs to be showered and diapered. Many are wheelchair-bound. Some use walkers. A few can walk unaided. Although the residents can keep snacks in their rooms, they take most or all of their meals in the residential dining room.

Should you need to decide what level of nursing home is appropriate for you or a loved one, download the 4-page Nursing Home checklist included in the Resource section.

Features

According to the official Medicare website, out of all the

nursing homes in the US, over 17,000 are either Medicare or Medicaid certified or both. Some residents pay for their stay through Long Term Care Insurance policies. A link to the Medicare site is included in the Reference section so you can find the right nursing home that best fits your personal and financial needs.

Considerations

NAFC reports that “more than half of all residents in

nursing homes are incontinent.” They credit this condition as being “the second leading cause of institutionalization.” Of all the female residents who begin their life at a nursing home fully able to take care of their toileting needs, NAFC found that 22 percent “became incontinent within one year of admission.”

Medicare offers a website link called ‘Five-star quality rating system’. They base this system largely on health inspections, staffing, and 10 of the 14 long-term care quality measures (QM).

The health inspections include information about three years worth of on-site visits. They will evaluate multiple aspects such as “the care of residents and the processes used to give that care, how the staff and residents interact, and the nursing home environment.” They look at fire safety factors as well.

The staffing category includes information about the ratio between nursing and care staff to the number of residents. Nursing home staff includes Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), and Certified Nursing Assistants (CAN).

Appendix 2 of the “Improving the Nursing Home Compare Web Site” lists and describes all 14 QM points for long-term care. These include items such as mobility, pressure ulcers, catheters, restraints, urinary tract infections, flu, pneumonia, pain levels, depression, anxiety, weight loss, etc. For further details, please click on the link included in the reference section.

Benefits

There are multiple benefits for you or a loved one to reside in a nursing home should you no longer be able to care for yourself. You are provided with a furnished room, housekeeping, linen services, meals, snacks, trained medical staff, protection, and entertainment options. For an extra charge, you also have the option of physician services, medications, therapists, personal care items, and laundry services.

Conclusion

Choosing to reside in a nursing home is a big decision. It is a feasible option for some. It is the only option for others. Still others view that option with dread when they recall the reputation of past senior citizens who resided in the state almhouses of the early and mid-twentieth century or they hear about the nursing home abuses that sometimes take place currently. As Nursing Home Info.com states, “Fortunately, the range of senior care options continues to expand to better meet the care and financial needs of individuals. Some of the alternatives that may be available in your area include independent living, congregate care, assisted living and home health care.” There are also the options of adult day care and respite care.

Talk with your insurance company. Read the articles included in the Reference and Resource section. Study your finances. That way, you can make the best informed decision for you and the ones who you love as to whether or not moving to a nursing home is the best or only option.

- By Debbie Dunn | AC

Funding Solutions for Senior Living

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:26:09 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCdS7e1cnmI

from corestis

A 7 minute webinar that describes how a life insurance settlement is being used by seniors to fund the costs of senior housing and long term care.

Health bill highlighted as vehicle for long-term care

admin — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:40:45 +0000

from www.boston.com

by Lisa wangsness

WASHINGTON – It was the room where both John and Robert Kennedy announced they planned to run for president. The room where the Senate held hearings on Watergate and the Titanic disaster.

The Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building, with its carved marble walls and heavy chandeliers, is where historic things happen, an aide to Senator Edward M. Kennedy explained to some 250 people. That, she said, is why his health committee decided to host a briefing there yesterday on how its health-reform bill could transform life for people with disabilities and create a new national long-term care insurance plan.

But the 77-year-old Kennedy, who is battling brain cancer, did not attend the briefing. He wasn’t on Capitol Hill last week, either, when Democrats on his committee began preparing to unveil their draft healthcare legislation. Senator Chris Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat and Kennedy’s top deputy, has been filling in.

Kennedy spokesman Anthony Coley said Kennedy has been working on the healthcare bill while receiving his cancer treatments, but he did not expect him back in Washington this week.

“As Senator Kennedy has said many times, guaranteeing that all Americans have access to affordable and quality healthcare is the cause of his life,” Coley said in an e-mail, noting that Kennedy had “a very productive meeting” over the weekend with Dodd.

“He’s been a leader on this issue for 40 years, and he continues to lead,” Coley wrote. “That doesn’t depend on location.”

Last week, Dodd had choked up when he was asked how Kennedy was doing.

“I’m getting indications every day that the senator will get back here as quickly as he can,” Dodd said last Wednesday. “He’s fighting hard. . . . He’s doing OK. Look, this is tough.”

Senator Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican who has sometimes worked closely with Kennedy over the years but has expressed disappointment about the extent of government spending and regulation in Kennedy’s draft healthcare bill, said yesterday he has not spoken directly with Kennedy about his concerns.

“If he wants to chat with me, I’ll chat with him anytime, but I want to see him get through this as much as he can,” he said.

Still, committee Democrats yesterday highlighted two more potential components of the healthcare bill.

Senator Tom Harkin said he is going to push to wrap into the healthcare package a bill known as the Community Choice Act, which would let people who qualify for long-term care services – either medical or personal assistance – decide whether to receive them at home or in an institutional setting.

Harkin said the legislation would cost billions, but in a healthcare bill that will cost $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion over a decade, “I’m here to tell you that $2 billion, $3 billion, $4 billion is not much to ask.”

The committee hopes to include a new national long-term insurance program that would provide basic help for people as they age or if they become disabled. Under current law, people who want long-term home or community-based care find it difficult to get into the popular Medicaid “waiver” programs offering home health services. Many elders who need assistance wind up spending their savings in order to be poor enough to qualify for Medicaid, so they can enter a nursing home, when they might just need regular help around the house and regular home nurse visits.

All working Americans would automatically be enrolled in the plan unless they choose to opt out. Students and poor people would pay only $5 a month, others would pay not more than an average of $65 a month. After being enrolled for five years, members could receive limited home services once they need them.

Republicans have expressed distaste at the cost of the Democratic proposals being floated so far – particularly those from Kennedy’s committee. Yesterday a Republican aide who was not authorized to speak for the record said the long-term care proposals could be very expensive, though the Congressional Budget Office has not finished reviewing the proposals yet.

“If they are aiming very high and willing to negotiate, that’s our hope,” the GOP aide said. “If that’s not the case, and this is just a hard-and-fast marker, take it or leave it, there’s going to be a real problem from our side.”

Susan Milligan of the Globe staff contributed to this report.

Eden Alternative

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:59:43 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui_kr-2S-nk

from EdenAlternative

The Eden Alternative is seeking to improve the lives for those living in Long Term Care and here are some reasons why. We would like to challenge you to tell us a story about an Elder that brings or brought meaning to your life. Or if you are an Elder tell us about what brings you joy.
www.edenalt.org

Traditions Management – New Views On Senior Living

admin — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:24:31 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxsqqBuNw1c

from TraditionsManagement

Traditions Management is a rapidly growing company providing management and consulting services at all levels of the seniors housing continuum, including Independent Senior Living, Assisted Living, and Skilled Nursing.

Traditions is dedicated to providing quality health care to its residents and a favorable work environment for all employees.

“Our residents come first, then we focus on our staff, our belief is that success will follow.”

Assisting Hands Home Care – Client Services

admin — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:45:13 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba6lckqX9o8

The non-medical in-home caregiver services provided by Assisting Hands Home Care allows senior to maintain their dignity and stay in their own homes as long as possible before entering an assisted living or nursing home facility. From light housekeeping, basic hygiene assistance, meal preparation, grocery shopping to simple companionship, Assisting Hands has the qualified caregiver to meet your family’s needs. Bonded, insured and trained in CPR and first aid, our caregivers are compassionate people who can take up the slacked for family members living a distance from their aging loved ones. Not limited to seniors, Assisting Hands can provide services to those with disabilities and those with temporary situations such as difficult pregnancies requiring bed rest. When you cant do it all, give Assisting Hands a call. This video was produced by E.H. Anderson Public Relations who represents Assisting Hands franchise company headquartered in Mesa, Arizona -- www.assistinghands.com
This video was produced by E.H. Anderson Public Relations www.ehandersonpr.com

Home Instead Senior Care Expert Offers New Guide on Successful Intergenerational Living

admin — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:36:46 +0000

from www.prweb.com

press release

More and more seniors are moving in with their adult children, creating numerous challenges with many generations in the same household. To help families with this transition, Home Instead Senior Care, Torrance is offering a free booklet to help address the emotional, financial, and safety aspects of intergenerational living. There is also a website that offers even more resources.

Torrance, Calif. (PRWEB) May 21, 2009 — The increasing number of seniors now living under the same roof with at least one other generation is becoming part of a growing national trend. But there are numerous challenges to combining several generations under one roof, so Home Instead Senior Care, Torrance is offering a free booklet to help families address the emotional, financial, and safety aspects of intergenerational living.

“How do families determine if living together is a good idea?” says Denise de Cock, RN, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care Torrance office, which serves seniors from San Pedro to Marina del Rey (http://www.homeinstead.com/286). “Our free booklet provides tips on how to make the arrangement work well for both seniors and their family caregivers, if they do decide to combine households.” The booklet will also help adult children begin to address the stress of caregiving under one roof, adapting a home for two or more generations and merging household finances.

How do families determine if living together is a good idea?

Our free booklet provides tips on how to make the arrangement work well for both seniors and their family caregivers, if they do decide to combine households.

We see families coming together to share caregiving duties for economic reasons and emotional support. Sometimes the seniors need care, but in other cases the older adults could be providing care to their own grandchildren. Regardless of the reasons, combining households is a big decision. Some families may decide that maintaining separate residences is the best alternative.

Ask yourself, ‘Can I get the whole family behind the idea?’ Expectations must be set right away and family members must listen and become engaged in conversation. The more the entire family buys in at the beginning, the more likely they will be to come up with great ideas

Several factors are driving this trend, explains de Cock. “We see families coming together to share caregiving duties for economic reasons and emotional support. Sometimes the seniors need care, but in other cases the older adults could be providing care to their own grandchildren. Regardless of the reasons, combining households is a big decision. Some families may decide that maintaining separate residences is the best alternative.”

More support and information can be found at http://www.makewayformom.com, including a calculator that will help families compute whether living together or maintaining separate residences is the best financial option. The site also features a virtual tour of an intergenerational home where visitors can hear from a real family and see how they’ve adapted their home.

The handbook was compiled with the assistance of three national experts: Matthew Kaplan Ph.D., Penn State Intergenerational Programs extension specialist; Adriane Berg, CEO of Generation Bold and a consultant on reaching boomers and seniors; and Dan Bawden, founder of the CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialists) program for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

According to a recent survey (http://www.boomerproject.com) conducted for Home Instead Senior Care, 43 percent of adult caregivers in the U.S. ages 35 to 62 reside with the parent, stepparent, or older relative for whom they or someone else in their household provides care. The Census Bureau (http://factfinder.census.gov) confirms this growing trend: In 2000, 2.3 million older parents were living with their adult children; by contrast, in 2007, that number jumped to 3.6 million – a 55 percent increase.

Families should approach decisions of combining households from a partnership perspective, says de Cock. “Ask yourself, ‘Can I get the whole family behind the idea?’ Expectations must be set right away and family members must listen and become engaged in conversation. The more the entire family buys in at the beginning, the more likely they will be to come up with great ideas,” she noted.

About Home Instead Senior Care, Torrance
Home Instead Senior Care/Torrance provides in-home senior care to clients in the South Bay, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering an unmatched level of integrity, trustworthiness and responsiveness. It is the only senior care provider in the South Bay with a comprehensive hiring and training program that ensures high quality care and reliable, personalized client service that consistently goes above and beyond expectations.

Through ongoing relationships with local senior care nonprofits, agencies, medical centers, assisted living facilities and other senior service providers, Home Instead Senior Care/Torrance has become the most informed source for senior care in the South Bay.For more information, call 1-800-FOR SENIORS or visit http://www.homeinstead.com/286.

Media Contact: Mary Blake, MB Writing & Consulting Group, (310) 376-3163 or 310-710-2755.

For copies of the free “Too Close for Comfort?” handbook, contact Home Instead Senior Care, Torrance, 1-800-FOR SENIORS.

Survey Methodology: The Boomer Project (www.boomerproject.com) completed online interviews with 1,279 U.S. adult caregivers, ages 35-62, with a parent, stepparent or older relative for whom they or someone in their household provides cares. Of the 1,279 family caregivers interviewed, 548 live with the senior receiving care.

Norwood Life Care Foundation

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:19:00 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3KC4-5qHIk

from thecurleyfamily

Summarizing the outstanding work supported by NLCF -- supporting two of the finest senior care organizations in Chicago: Norwood Crossing and Norwood Seniors Network.

Partnership Between Seniors for Living and Gilbert Guide Enhances Senior Housing Decision-Making Experience

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:16:05 +0000

from www.pitchengine.com

press release

05.11.2009 – To better meet the needs of seniors and their families in their search for senior housing options, Seniors for Living, an online directory of senior housing and senior care providers, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Gilbert Guide, a senior care and aging information portal.

Seniors for Living’s directory listings expand and augment Gilbert Guide’s existing listings, enhancing Gilbert Guide’s coverage of senior housing options with Seniors for Living’s partner communities that offer assisted living, independent living, continuing care, Alzheimer’s care, retirement living, and home care services. This alliance brings a wealth of additional information and content about senior housing communities nationwide to the Gilbert Guide audience.

“Our goal is to help seniors and their families find the senior housing or home care option that works for them. By providing our free search service to prospective residents, we are also providing the highest quality senior housing and home care leads to our senior community and home care providers. It’s really a great win-win situation,” says Jordon Keltz, CEO of Seniors for Living. “Through our partnership with Gilbert Guide, we are able to expand our reach and continue to assist those in need of senior living information as well as help senior housing and care providers meet their marketing goals.”

“Gilbert Guide provides the largest national, online directory of senior care communities and services,” says Jason Gilbert, COO of Gilbert Guide. “Adding detailed senior housing information from Seniors for Living’s partner communities greatly expands the facility options we make available to our readers, both seniors and adult children, in their time of need.”

About Seniors for Living
Seniors for Living is a leading performance-based marketing company that provides senior housing communities and home care companies with the most highly qualified, exclusive lead referrals available. Through our online directory and extended partner network, users actively searching for senior housing or home care can learn about their options, review senior housing and care providers, and request additional information and details from the senior community or home care provider that best meets their specific situation and needs.
For more information, please contact Doug Johnson: 212.490.6290.

About Gilbert Guide
Gilbert Guide is the leading senior care website where consumers find practical solutions, expert information, and the most comprehensive senior housing guide and homecare directory for loved ones. The site’s rich online resources written by industry experts give families and friends the tools necessary to make informed decisions about senior care options, including quality nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and homecare providers. The company was founded on the concept that quality matters and maintains that its primary goal is to educate consumers on a breadth of senior care issues. For a comprehensive provider database, expert advice, and quality assessment tools that help consumers conduct their own “expert” evaluations of providers, please visit GilbertGuide.com.

For more information, please contact Jason Gilbert: 415.668.1532.

News Facts

Seniors for Living, an online directory of senior housing and senior care providers, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Gilbert Guide, a senior care and aging information portal.
Seniors for Living’s directory listings expand and augment Gilbert Guide’s existing listings.
Gilbert Guide’s coverage of senior housing options with Seniors for Living’s partner communities enhances its offering of resources about assisted living, independent living, continuing care, Alzheimer’s care, retirement living, and home care services.

Resource Links: Seniors for Living; Gilbert Guide