How to Ensure the Home Security of the elderly

Many middle aged Americans get to a point where they have to take care of their elderly parents. This reversal of roles can be emotionally draining. Seeing someone who once cared for you start to have their physical health and mental faculties fail is one of the hardest things imaginable. With all of the emotion, it can be difficult to figure out what you need to do to ensure your elderly parents’ quality of life. Luckily, there are many non-profit organizations now that can help with things like managing the process of dying, such as Hospice. But while your parents are still fairly healthy and not ready for end-of-life care, there can be a lot of murky waters to navigate.

One of the most important things that you need to consider as the responsible adult is your parents’ home security. Now that they’re older, they might not be as mindful as they had previously been, and this can put them at risk for break-ins, identity theft, and other kinds of crimes and assaults. So keep the following ideas in mind.

1. Invest in a good home security system.

This is the most basic precaution that you can take for your parents. Many home security systems are relatively cheap, and you can even have them connected to fire alarms and smoke detectors. These home alarms will ensure that the police are alerted if a break-in occurs, which your aging parents might sleep through or be too disoriented to act on. The only thing you have to do is make sure that someone activates the system every night before your parents go to sleep, otherwise it will be useless.

2. Consider moving them into a retirement community.

Many aging parents will be quite stubborn about this, because they see it as a fundamental loss of independence. In a way, they are right, but many elderly people no longer have the ability to manage an entire house to themselves, and would greatly benefit from living in a smaller, more manageable space. Emphasize how they’ll be able to meet people their own age – which will be especially beneficial if many of their friends have passed away – and if their medical state is good enough, you can even put them in a place that’s like an apartment building. Show them how this is a way to gain independence, and emphasize how different the experience of living there will be from the nursing homes of their nightmares.

3. Invest in a medical alarm.

Like a home alarm, this is one of the simplest yet most important devices. They are small and can be worn around the neck or wrist. This way, if your mom or dad is having a sudden onset of symptoms like sever chest pain, or falls and cannot get up, all they have to do is push a button to alert the emergency authorities, and a full ambulance crew will be sent to their home right away. Without such a device, they could be completely helpless, left alone to suffer or even die when someone’s help could have made all of the difference in the world.

Making Life Better For Seniors In Phoenix With Home Care

Phoenix is the capital of the U.S. state of Arizona and the fifth most populous city of the United States. It was founded near the Salt River in 1868. It has become a major financial, industrial, transportation and cultural center of Southwestern United States.

While Phoenix has big public library, Chase Tower, the tallest building in the state and long native American heritage, it does lack better non-medical senior care and personal care services for its large population. There are hundreds and thousands of elderly people in Phoenix who need assistance to live a better life.

As the members in family grow older their grown up children find it taxing to take care of them. It leads to friction at home at a time when aging parents need most support and understanding in this phase of their lives. A better option to help aging members in the family is to provide them with senior care. Home care Phoenixcity’s seniors need, can come from companies who provide services for senior care as well as personal care.

Ailing or physically weak elderly persons require highest level of compassionate personal care. Skilled, loving, caregiver Phoenix individuals can be of great help to make a difference in lives of these senior people. Providing personal care and living assistance to elderly people is a noble service and many companies are coming forward to render it to the masses in Phoenix.

Seniors who like to stay at home instead of spending days in retirement homes can be provided in-home personal care service. They can be renedred assistance in doing their grocery and shopping, cleaning home, cooking meals and driving them to community activities. In case of illness some caregiver Phoenixor senior care service provider can take them to doctor or hospital for treatment.

Senior people love to be at home where they have spend years and like to be near their family members and friends. At home senior people need companionship, particularly when their adult children are working, or out of city. Personal care providers take care of mechanical routine of cooking food and cleaning house. They provide companionship and keep them fit by taking them to daily walk. Senior care service providers also keep elderly people alert by reading to them about daily news and TV sitcoms.

Senior homecare Phoenix is not an easy task. It requires tons of patience, skill and physical strength which can be rightly provided by caregiver Phoenix alone. Although in-home senior care costs money, its benefits cannot be matched with cash value.

Senior care provider or personal care provider take care of following chores daily.

Preparing special meals on time, feeding them, giving bath, dressing, taking them to doctor, giving medicine, cleaning and dusting, laundry, shopping for their needs playing and reading for them and taking care of pets.

In-home care enables you to go to your work without worries while making lives of your seniors better and more comfortable.

Home Remedy for Pimples

Pimple is a result of a blockage of the skin’s pore. Pimples are small skin lesions or inflammations commonly arising from clogged or infected pores. Pimples can be a source of social isolation that can lead to frustration and depression. Pimples affect almost 90% of the population at some time during their lives. Pimples can form when dead skin cells mix with extra sebum (oily secretion of the sebaceous gland) plug the opening of hair follicles and trap the normal bacteria found on the skin. Pimples commonly show up during adolescence. Although pimples affect around 20 million teenagers in the United States, there is a growing number of adults with skin blemishes. Pimples can occur throughout adulthood, depending on your hormonal activity, heredity and hygiene. Majority of teenagers and adolescents experience pimple outbreaks. This happens when the skin tries to adjust to hormonal changes typically during puberty. However, even adults can have pimples, especially those who are most exposed to dirt and experience a lot of stress. Also women typically develop pimple outbreaks during their menstrual cycle when their hormones surge before or during their menstrual cycle.

Pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads can form on the face, chest, arms, neck, and back. Acne can range from mild to severe and can last a few weeks, months, years or can come and go throughout life. Several factors contribute to the onset of pimples. Both adult and teenage acne is usually caused by hormonal changes in the body. Hormonal Acne is very common among young women and some men. Most importantly, elevation of hormones produced during puberty or the menstrual cycle in women result in the hormone by-product called DHT. This hormone by product overstimulates the oil gland resulting in plugging of the pore and acne production. Clogged pores or follicles are a primary cause of pimples. Skin bacteria ( Propionibacterium acnes) multiply in clogged pores where they release a substance that can produce irritation and inflammation. The wall of the pores can sometimes burst, spreading inflammation to the surrounding skin. This results in acne lesions that go from blackheads to pimples to nodules. Common over-the-counter medications for pimples are Benzoyl peroxide and/or salicylic acid. Both medications can be found in many creams and gels used to treat acne through topical application. Regular skin cleansing regimen to rid your pores of unwanted particles and dirt.

Home remedy for Pimples Tips

1.Lemon is good in removing scars left by them. Apply lemon juice to pimples to reduce their size and intensity.

2.Pimples have been known to positively react to the addition of niacin (100 mg; three times per day), and vitamin A to a diet.

3.Useful fenugreek paste can be created from the leaves of this vegetable, which is then applied to the face before you retire each night. At the start of the morning, the paste should be washed off using warm water.

4.Juice from garlic is an effective way to get rid of pimples and acne as it kills the bacteria and the pimples will disappear with several applications.

5.Make orange peel paste by grinding it in some water. Apply on and around pimples.

6.Pimples can be cured by daily intake of a spoonful of honey mixed with sulphur powder.

7.Another overnight home remedy for zapping a zit is to put a dab of toothpaste on it to help dry it out. You may need to test this on a short-term basis to make sure it doesn’t irritate your pimple. Calamine lotion will have the same drying effect.

8.Take cucumber and grate it after peeling . To this add juice of one lime. Mix well and put it into a blender to make a fine paste. Apply this paste

9.Make a paste of neem leaves with turmeric powder. Apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.

10.Hot Epsom salts bath taken two times per week will ease all cases of pimples.

12.Keeping the skin well cleansed will deter the formation of pimples. Using a mild cleanser at the start of your day, in the evening, and before bed is recommended.

13.Touching your skin passes extra dirt, oil, bacteria, and grime that can trigger acne and other skin irritations.

Growing older gracefully: Safe at home

As people age, often physical mobility can become impaired or restricted. For those who experience unwelcome changes in their physical abilities, the prospect of moving to a retirement community can be unpleasant and even frightening. Luckily, there are a number of modifications that can be made to existing homes to make them much more accessible for those with limited mobility. This can allow older homeowners a greater measure of independence and safety while remaining in familiar surroundings.

An article published in 2009 in The Gerontologist, “Residential Modifications and Decline in Physical Function Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults”, provided evidence that certain home modifications can have significant effects on the mobility of older homeowners. The results of the study showed that with appropriate modifications to accommodate the physical limitations of older residents, the progress of physical debilitation could be slowed or, in some cases, arrested completely. This is good news for aging homeowners who want to remain in their homes. A few simple modifications can provide extra help when it’s needed most.

Installing grab bars in the bathroom can be a good first step in creating an accessible home environment. Most falls occur in the bathroom, so adding bars to the side of the bathtub and a railing alongside the toilet can assist older people in standing up or extricating themselves from the bath. Non-slip mats or decals for the bottom of the tub are also useful in preventing falls. If the homeowner is confined to a wheelchair, the door to the bathroom should be widened to allow easy access. Another option is to add or remodel a walk-in shower. This eliminates the necessity for stepping over a raised bathtub edge and rising from a sitting position, and with appropriate non-slip coatings on the floor and grab bars on the walls, shower stalls can be convenient and safe alternatives to traditional bathtubs.

Ramps or chair lifts are a necessity for those who are confined to a wheelchair, but live in a multi-story home. While ramps are usually installed outside, chair lifts are becoming more and more popular for indoor staircases since they are becoming less expensive and can even be rented in some instances.

The kitchen is a special area of concern for mobility-challenged people. Countertops will need to be lowered to accommodate the needs of those confined to wheelchairs. Special kitchen appliances are available to allow accessibility; while these are sometimes expensive, grants are occasionally available to pay a portion of the costs. Another solution is to build a raised floor area around the countertops and appliances, raising the wheelchair to the appropriate level; this is a temporary measure, but can provide a great deal of independence for older adults who want to continue living in their own homes.

Adjustable beds, while technically not a home improvement, can be of great assistance to elderly homeowners by reducing the risk of falls and allowing optimal position for fragile older spines. A restful night’s sleep can help prevent accidents by ensuring that older homeowners are alert and at their best mentally and physically.

Scientific studies have shown that the right home improvements can help aging homeowners stay healthier, happier, and more comfortable in their own homes. By staying more active and involved in life, older people can actually slow physical deterioration and maintain more independence and autonomy in their golden years.

Senior Home Care Services Can Provide an Alternative to Long-term Care

It can be wrenching to see the independence of a loved one or family member decline. Simple tasks that used to be effortless, such as cooking a meal or keeping a house tidy, can become impossible for someone who is recovering from a hospital stay or whose strength is declining with age.

As the population ages, more and more people will face the reality of an older adult who may need assistance to live independently. For many in this group, a nursing home or retirement center is more than they need; and yet complete independence isn’t realistic, either.

One option that is becoming increasingly available across the nation is senior home care services. These services allow many people to remain in their homes and enjoy the independence of their daily routines and familiar surroundings. Senior Home care services typically provide non-medical help with daily living tasks including meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands or even simple companionship.

When considering a senior home care service, it’s important to know about the agency providing the service and its process for screening and matching its employees with care recipients.

It’s never easy to make the decision to invite a stranger into your home to provide senior care home. But there are steps to take and questions you should ask of an agency that can help minimize the emotional trauma of leaving a loved one at home alone.

Of course, the first requirement is a criminal background check for any caregiver. However, we also believe it’s important to screen for intangible traits such as a caring personality and a desire to help people.

The most important step in screening is to verify the quality of the caregiver’s employment history while choosing a caregiver from any senior home care agency. Many senior home care agencies focus on building relationships with each client.

After a caregiver has been placed with a client, the agency should continues to monitor service through telephone calls and in-home visits to make sure the client is satisfied with the caregiver and the services provided.

Senior home care agencies now provide a range of non-medical services including assistance with hygiene (subject to restrictions in some states), meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands and shopping, weekend or holiday care, live-in or live-out care, temporary or long-term, and respite for family care givers. A senior home care agency also provides personalized care for seniors as an alternative to assisted living facilities or nursing homes. The longer a senior can remain in their own home, the more active both mentally and physically they will stay. Companions provided from home care agencies can help an individual with their routine and assist in their activities. It is a priority for a patient to continue to live a healthy lifestyle, which maintains a sharp mind, and using elder care services contributes to this goal.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Home

Though the housing market has been turned on its ear, this is a great time for anyone thinking of buying a home. Yes, it may be more difficult to get the credit that you may need; it is still possible, and now prices are so low you may not need as much financing as you originally thought. If you are on the fence, here are some reasons to consider buying a home sooner than later.

Favorable Interest Rates

One of the greatest and most obvious reasons to consider buying a home is the interest rates. Interest rates today, are some of the lowest rates that we have seen in years. It is possible that they will go even lower. You may think that getting a home loan in order to take advantage of these rates is impossible. Although credit standards and loan approval may be higher than before, obtaining a loan is well within the reach of homebuyers with a good credit rating and a steady income that can support the monthly mortgage payments.

Tax Benefits

The second best reason to buy a home is the tax savings. For most workers buying a home may not only allow them to deduct the mortgage interests, it also gives them the ability to itemize their deductions, which they may not have been able to do previously. Once you have lived in your home for two years, you are able to exclude an amount of profit from your capital gains. In addition, you are able to take advantage of this exclusion every two years, even if you decided to sell the home after you have lived there for at least two years.

Appreciation

Unlike cars, houses appreciate over time. Therefore, your house will more than likely be worth more in a few years than you paid for it. Some people take full advantage of the appreciation factor and sell their homes for a profit.

Plenty to Choose From

However, another great reason to buy a house now is the selection. Unfortunately, due to rising foreclosure, there are numerous houses on the market in every state. Regardless of your tastes or preferences, you should be able to find just what you are looking for.

Acquire Equity

Houses are also good sources for future credit and or financing. Homeowners are able to turn the equity that they have in their home into a loan or line of credit through refinancing. This benefit has proven to be important, in a down economy or in situations where medical bills are unmanageable, home repairs or improvements are needed, or kids need funds for college.

Personal Reasons

However, it may be a larger factor for some more than others there are personal and family related reasons for buying a home. The family reasons are usually the most obvious and typically include the need for additional space due to a growing family or relocation for a job or business opportunity. Yet, personal reasons are not always considered. For many, the desire to be able to customize a living space without asking for permission is strong and often a great motivator for young adults to buy their first home. Others grow tired of the noise, neighbors, and cramped quarters of apartments and/or dorm life.

Owning your Home

One of the more traditional reasons for buying a home is that you are purchasing property that you can actually own rather than paying for the use of someone else’s property. As we start to get older, the desire to have a place to settle down and retire in becomes more pressing. If you buy a home, you own property that you can not only retire into; but also, pass on to your children.

Asset Ownership

The idea of owning property that can be passed down is the reason many people work and save, which leads us to the next reason to buy a home. There is a pride and peace of mind that comes with owning a house. This is the ability to see why you go to work day in and day out, work two or jobs, or work two or more shifts. This sense of accomplishment cannot be duplicated when renting.

Becoming Part of a Community

If you are searching for a strong sense of community, than you need to consider buying a home. When you own a home in a good neighborhood, you take the time to meet and get to know your neighbors. In addition, you are more likely to become involved in neighborhood activities and community programs.

Flexibility

If you have entertained the idea of starting your own home based business, you may find that it is much easier to convert an extra room in your home into a home office than it is in a rental or apartment setting. You may be able to have a designated entrance for clients, as well as space for a small waiting area. However, depending on the type of business you are considering more elaborate modifications may be required. For example, you may need to bring a restroom up to ADA standard or install an additional sink.

Home Health Care v.s. Facility Placement : Options in Elder Care

It always makes me sad to hear the families of an elder say “Mom made me promise to never put her in a nursing home”. That is simply a promise that most families today cannot keep. If a caring son or daughter finds that they have to break that promise, they may feel guilty for the rest of their lives. Mom probably asked for that promise because the nursing homes she remembers were dark, institutional places which would be considered substandard in America today. Today’s family structure and the financial challenges of elder care, make facility living a very common choice. When an elder shows signs of not being able to perform the basic activities of daily living, families or concerned professionals must step in. It is actually against most state laws for a professional to be aware of an elder in trouble without taking some reasonable action to secure their safety. There are many indicators that an elder is no longer safe at home alone. The basic litmus test is to ask yourself is: “Could this person save him or herself if their home were on fire? Would they be able to call 911 and communicate their exact location? If left alone for any period of time are they at risk for physical abuse or financial exploitation? Do they have the skills and resources to meet their daily hygiene and nutritional needs? The answer is “NO” for many American elders who live home alone.

Independence vs. Isolation

Many of my elderly clients who were trying so hard to maintain their independence by living alone at home actually maintained nothing more than an isolated existence punctuated by the occasionally call or visit from friends and family. This type of isolation was also coupled with medication errors or abuse, self neglect and unsanitary housekeeping. A person living in this situation will often “bloom like a flower” in the right retirement facility environment. It is amazing what three hot meals a days, social interaction, clean sheets and regular administration of medications can do for a person’s mind, body and spirit. A person who lives alone is more likely to fall and lay alone on the floor for days without being found. A person, who lives alone may make poor choices such as keeping, (or worse,) spoiled food in the refrigerator. If a person lives alone, there are many signs of illness that no one will notice during sporadic short visits. Medical appointments may be missed and prescriptions left unfilled. Many people feel that they are honoring their aging loved one by letting them live alone, even though all the tell tale signs of self neglect are apparent. There is no honor or dignity in being found on the floor after one has laid in their own excrement for three days. Unfortunately, many families will wait for this type of incident before insisting on either home health care or facility placement. If an elder is physically or verbally abusive to family and care givers, they are much more likely to be left alone to make their own decisions, regardless of how dysfunctional their situation may be. Elders with difficult personalities are many times more likely to be abused by caregivers. They need more supervision, not less.

American Family Dynamics and the Pressures of Today’s World

I hear people say “Americans don’t take care of their elders like other countries do”. Well that is not my experience. The adult children who consult with Geriatric Care Manager or other eldercare professionals are very concerned about their parents. They love them and they want the best care their money can buy. That’s the clincher: what their money can buy. In America, caregivers, maids, etc,, are expensive. Perhaps in another country where slave labor is commonplace, people can afford plenty of care. But in this country it costs $12.00 per hour (or more) for a home health aide. At eight hours per day, that is $96.00 per day. That is $2,880 per month or $34,560 per year – more than the average working American earns per year. The average woman gets a social security check of less than $500.00 per month. Do the math and you will soon see that unless you are wealthy, many people cannot afford to keep their elders in their own home with a part time caregiver or even in their children’s home with a caregiver.

Now couple this financial problem with another very real problem. Most middle income women in their fifties, who are caring for their elderly parents, are also trying to hold down a job, help their young-adult children and maintain a marriage. If a middle income woman stops working to care for her parents, she and her husband either cannot pay their bills or they must significantly reduce their standard of living. I know a few husbands who are fifty-something and feel they have worked too hard and too long to have their dreams of retirement evaporate because someone else’s needs are suddenly more important than their own. Now that Americans have come to grips with the concept that it takes two incomes to live well in this country, they are more determined than ever to have a retirement. Paying $35,000 per year for a caregiver can take a huge chunk out of the retirement savings. Frankly, most people couldn’t afford to do it even if they wanted to. Because most Americans’ net worth is in the equity of their home, selling the family home is the most common way to finance elder care services. If the family home sells for $100,000.00 and the average cost of an Assisted Living Residence is $36,000.00 per year, an elder can afford to live in that Assisted Living for 2.7 years. Coincidently, the average amount of time a person lives in an Assisted Living before moving on to a nursing home is 2.5 years.

Many adult children, who do have the desire and financial means to bring their elders to live with them, still cannot. They cannot because the medical or psychological needs of the elder are beyond their capacity to manage. For example, if Grandma is sweet and docile by day, but “sundowns” or grows agitated as evening falls, this poses a difficult problem for the caring family. When some people experience dementia or other medical issues, they may stay awake all night. They sometimes wander out of doors or rummage through drawers and closets. This behavior will keep the whole family awake at night. If a working family cannot sleep at night, this situation will become intolerable very quickly. Some adult children have been raised by violent, aggressive parents who are now violent aggressive elders. Children who have been raised under these conditions need not feel obligated to bring their parents to live with them, despite the pressure they may get from outsiders who do not know the real story.

Elders and their families who are trying to make difficult choices about elder care benefit from a professional assessment from a geriatric specialist. Professional care managers can offer an objective opinion based on a clinical evaluation of the physical and cognitive status of the elder. Physicians, hospital case managers, facility admissions coordinators and social workers can also offer advice about appropriate placement of an elder or even suggest how to set up services in the home to best meet the elder’s needs.

Home Health Care – Stay Home without Being Alone

At the very least, any elder living alone should have a medical alert system. This is a necklace or wrist band with a panic button that can be pushed in case of emergency. If the button is pushed a dispatch center receives the signal and makes and attempt to communicate with the elder through a speaker placed in the home. If the elder needs help or does not respond to attempts to communicate, emergency services will be dispatched to the home. Many services will also contact friends and family to notify them that assistance is needed. A good candidate for this device is one WHO DOES NOT have memory loss as memory loss makes it difficult to learn to operate new appliances.

There are two basic types of home health care services: Medicare and Private Duty:

Medicare Home Health is free but can only be accessed if ordered a physician. Medicare will only authorize the free home health services if specific events have happened such as a recent hospitalization lasting three or more days, or a recent change in health status, etc. Medicare will send a Registered Nurse to evaluate the elder and that nurse decides if other professionals such as physical therapists, social workers, dieticians, etc. should perform evaluations. Each professional will determine what services they will render and for how long. Medicare services are temporary in nature and are not offered on a full time basis. The average visit by the nurse, aide and therapist is less than one hour each. Even Medicare home health aides only stay long enough to bathe and dress the patient.

Private Duty Home Health can be arranged on a full time, part time or live- in basis. Many Long Term Care Insurance policies will pay for home health care. The amount of care one can get and the duration of the services varies depending upon which policy they purchased. If someone does not have insurance, they must pay out of pocket (or private pay) for any services. Typically a private home care agency will offer services at a minimum of four hours per day. Typical eight hour shifts are 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm and 11pm – 7am. Many elders complain that an agency sends them a different caregiver each day. In order to avoid having the same aide, that as much as possible, order care every day for at least eight hours. This will allow the agency to schedule the same person for all your shifts. Because labor laws do apply and the agency would have to pay overtime for time which exceeds 40 hours per week, you will most likely have at least two to three caregivers on a full time case. The average hourly rate is $14.00 per hour. A live-in will cost about $150.00 per day. A live-in lives in your home and drives your car (or theirs for a mileage fee) and you are expected to feed them as well, even if you go out to dinner. By law, a live- in is entitled to two hours per day of free time. They can do what ever they like, including leaving the house during their break. If this arrangement will not work for your situation, consider hiring an aide around the clock. Around the clock care is typically delivered in two twelve hour shifts which are done by two different caregivers.

One aide comes to the home from 8am until 8pm and is relieved by the second caregiver at 8pm until 8am. Around the clock care can be delivered in many schedule formats. A live- in is expected to have their own private bedroom and bathroom although many agencies are flexible on this issue. The live- in is expected to be awake all day and have at least 7 hours of sleep at night. If the elder does not sleep at night, a live- in arrangement will not work. One option is to have the live in ($150/day) plus hire a caregiver to come to the house and stay up all night with the elder ($14.00. hour for eight nighttime hours). This costs $112 + $150= $262.00 per day. The only other alternative is to have around- the- clock care which will cost $14.00/hr X 24 hr=$336/day. Adding the eight hour night shift to the live in, saves about $3,000 per month. The Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension is available to qualified veterans who need a caregiver in their home on a regular basis.

Types of Adult Housing and Facilities:

Independent Living Facilities usually offer small apartments with some meals included in the price. A person who lives in an Independent Living Facility is expected to manage their daily care needs on their own, but the staff would readily recognize if needs increased and assist the resident in obtaining the needed help. Some facilities have extra care services available for additional charge to help the resident “age in place.” Others may ask a resident to move out if their needs exceed the scope of that particular facility. Limited transportation is usually provided although many residents are still driving when they enter an Independent Living Facility. These facilities may cost anywhere from less than $1,000 per month to over $5,000 per month depending upon the luxury amenities and location.

Assisted Living Facilities usually offer hotel size rooms with the option to share a room or pay extra for a private room. Three meals and snacks are usually provided as part of the price. Residents are expected to need some assistance with their daily care needs. Medication administration is strictly supervised. The State laws dictate who can live in an Assisted Living. The State does not want Assisted Living facilities to house nursing home candidates or Nursing Homes to admit people who could function just as well in an Assisted Living Facility. Assisted Living residents must be able to walk and transfer ( from bed to chair or chair to standing) with the assistance of only one other person. An Assisted Living resident can be left alone in their room for two hours or more. Nurses aides are on duty around the clock. Registered nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses are on duty at least during the daytime. Many medical services may make rounds and visit residents at least monthly. It is not uncommon for an Assisted Living resident to never have to leave the building for a medical or beauty appointment. Prices may range from under $1200/month to over $8,000/ month, once again depending upon the amenities. Medicaid has a program called the Medicaid Waiver which can pay part of the cost of the Assisted Living. However, funds have been historically limited and waiting lists can be long. The Veteran Aide and Attendance Pension is designed to financially assist qualified veterans who need the services of an Assisted Living facility

Dementia Specific Facilities are designed especially for the memory impaired resident. The building, floorplan, furnishings, décor, activity program and even the lighting have been scientifically engineered to enhance the lifestyle of residents with dementia. Many Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes offer a dementia program or dementia unit, but there are entire facilities which specialize in this unique population. Dementia Specific Facilities can be either Assisted Living Facilities or Nursing Homes. They are secure in order to prevent residents from wandering off the property and getting hurt or lost. The price for this extra level of care is usually about $1,000 to $2,000 more per month than a non-specialty building.

Nursing Homes are State regulated and are inspected at least annually. A person who needs a nursing home generally cannot live safely in an Assisted Living environment. A typical resident is either wheelchair bound or bed bound. Those who can walk around freely may need the nursing home environment because they need constant medical supervision. The medical component of this environment is similar to a hospital or hospice setting. The emphasis is on rehabilitation or custodial care rather than socialization and activities. The ICP Medicaid Program (institutional care program) will pay for the room, board and medical costs of those residents who meet the financial and medical criteria. It is possible to plan in advance to help an elder meet these strict criterion.

Financial Realities

Keeping an elder at home with a caregiver can be the most expensive option of all. Many families feel keeping their loved one in the comfort of their own home is priceless. If a paid caregiver cost $14.00/hour, eight hours per day is equal to $2,880.00 per month. Around the clock care exceeds $10,000 per month. Independent Living Facilities cost an average of $2,300.00/ month and provide no personal assistance. Assisted Living Facilities range from about $2,500/month to $5,000/month and provide limited care. A Nursing Home (without ICP Medicaid assistance) can cost from 5,000.00 to $7,000.00 per month and will provide total care.

Anyone considering hiring home health or moving an elder into a care facility of any type should have their elder’s current needs assessed by a qualified professional who can ascertain the elder’s current medical/psychological and financial needs and anticipate future needs/solutions. With careful, realistic planning, caring for an elder does not have to be a financial or emotional nightmare. Making the right choices for you and the elder you care about is easier when you enlist the help of people who know the eldercare community and all that it has to offer.

Which Is Best, an Assisted Living Facility or One That Also Has a Retirement Home?

There are of course individual assisted living facilities that are excellent but they may be privately owned. There are also assisted living companies that have a great number of assisted living facilities all under the one company umbrella. Which is better is a decision that only you can make. You will have to visit the various facilities, talk to the folks there, ask questions and even partake in a meal or two. You will also check on the certifications of each of these companies. After all, you are seeking to put a loved one in an assisted living facility.

The reason for the proliferation of assisted living companies is of course that our seniors are living longer, and often do not need a nursing home yet. These various companies will provide a more relaxed, independent living incident than the standard nursing home can.

Regardless of which assisted living companies you look at, ultimately it is up to you to narrow down the facility. Some facilities have assisted living, as well as respite care. Some assisted living companies even offer different features that will enable your loved one to go from assisted living to their nursing home facilities when more care is needed that what these companies can provide.

Some offer specialized care for the dementia challenged resident. They may even have a special facility for those with Alzheimer’s, yet still fall under the umbrella of assisted living companies. The varieties of care are almost endless. Of course, all of the various companies make sure to provide fully accessible residential as well as communal areas, so that residents can have access to all areas even if they are in a wheelchair, whereas it may have presented quite a problem if they were back in their residences where they were prior to going to the assisted living facility.

Which you choose, ultimately depends on the health of your loved one, of course. If they are already coping with tremendous health problems, yet are still functioning enough for assisted living, then your choice should be an assisted living facility that also has a retirement home or nursing home. By choosing one that has dual facilities, you may make it much easier on your loved one to transfer from one to the other when the time comes, and that’s an important consideration. Further, it may save you from having to completely usurp your loved one by having to completely move from one facility to another perhaps cross town or to yet another town.

 

Checking Out New Communities and New Home Builders in Cherokee County

Cherokee County is one of the fastest growing areas in the state of Georgia. The scenic mountain and lake views and the gorgeous weather combine with proximity to metro Atlanta to make the county a very attractive destination for everyone from single professionals to young and growing families to empty nesters who want to spend their retirement years in a little piece of heaven.

New home builders in Cherokee County have risen to the demand with an unprecedented rate of new construction. The newest homes being built in the County are often part of one of the planned communities that offer all the amenities one could want within a short distance of your front door. Unlike “subdivisions”, planned communities start with a master plan that takes into account all of the needs of the community, including recreation, transportation and growth. The only problem with buying a home in an unfinished community is that it’s difficult to judge the neighborhood while it’s still a construction site.

If you’re considering buying a home in one of the new developments in Cherokee County, there are some ways that you can check out the community even before it’s built. Here are some suggestions for making sure that you’ll be buying a home and not just a new house in a pretty neighborhood.

1. Ask the sales person about the community’s master plan. Unlike the “subdivisions” of yesteryear, new developments are more than just streets and houses. They are fully planned communities that often include amenities like community centers, green spaces and parks, recreational facilities – even retail shopping areas and restaurants.

2. Ask about the builders who work with the development company. There are dozens of new home builders in Cherokee County and many of them work directly with management and development corporations. If you know which builders the development company works with, you can look for other developments and homes that they have built to get a feel for the quality of their work.

3. If the community is well into the development stage, ask for a personal tour so that you can get a feel for the layout and the “personality” of the neighborhood. A personal tour can also give you a sense of how the homes being built fit into their surroundings – and even give you a peek at how the various new home builders in Cherokee County deal with the construction process.

4. Ask about those who have already bought into the community. The salesperson should be able to give you an idea of the general demographics of those buyers who have already committed to owning a home in the new community. Are they older? Younger? Young families or empty nesters? Is it a demographic with which you’ll feel comfortable?

5. Ask about other projects that the development company has completed and take a drive through them to see how they’ve stood up to time. Are the neighborhoods and streets attractive? Do the homes appear to be in good repair? Is it the kind of community in which you’d like to live?

6. Ask about the builder selection process. In some communities, you’ll have little choice or say in which builder actually builds your new home. The company may have specific builders with expertise in the style of home that you’ve chosen, or have a specific system for assigning builders to work with new buyers. In others, you may choose a lot, and be given a list of builders that work with the development company and will meet their guidelines – and the rest is up to you.

7. If you have a choice of builders for your new home, take the time to interview each prospective builder to find the right one for you. The “right” builder for you is the one that

- is familiar with your style of house

- understands the process of working with the development company

- listens to your ideas, suggestions and desires

- works with you to find ways to incorporate your desires into the guidelines under which he must work

- places communication with the client high on the list of priorities for his company

- is comfortable for you to talk to and work with

Hiring Home Help for Aging Parents

When it comes to caregiving assistance for aging parents, there are many questions that usually follow. What assistance is needed? Will it be few hours per day, a few hours per week, or is it full time 24 hour assistance that we need? For families wanting to proceed on their own, there are a number of considerations.

 

What type of care is required? Differences between caregivers can vary from those of a registered nurse, a registered practical nurse, a personal support worker or a companion.  Understanding your specific level of need and what the caregiver is trained to do and is legally able to do (ie such as administering medications) which may vary from Province to Province or may be defined within the caregiver’s Scope of Practice (for RN’s and RPN’s) as well as cost factors, need to be understood and considered.

 

What are the needs of the family of aging parents?  These needs can usually broken down to three basic needs:  In-home respite care during the day only; care away from the home during working hours which may include participation in an adult day program; or 24-hour full time care over a weekend or longer.

 

Hire a home health care agency or hire privately?  Understanding the advantages of each option is vital.  Several considerations inform the decision making process including ensuring references, experience and qualifications are in place; insurance coverage; illness coverage for the caregiver in the event they should get sick; billing format and practices; confidentiality; are the services tax deductible; and record-keeping, among others.

 

What overnight care solutions are available?  If overnight care is required for aging parents, should someone move into the home or should the loved one be moved into a facility.  If eligible, the Provincial Ministry of Health may be able to provide respite care in a long term facility.  If not available, short stays are often available at many retirement residences and daily costs and amount of personal care varies.

 

What is the cost of care?  In some cases, local community agencies may be able to provide minimal assistance of a few hours per week of a Personal Support Worker at no cost.  For Personal Support Workers hired through and agency, hourly costs vary and there may be a minimum time requirement.

 

What role does personality play?  While professional care is a foremost consideration ensuring personality matches is also important in the selection process.  Ensure more than once candidate is interviewed, speak to other families of aging parents and get references, and suggest an afternoon trial to assess engagement between caregiver, family and the senior in the home.

 

What information should your provide the caregiver?  Facilitating a quick and effective transition into the caregiver responsibility can be made that much easier by providing personal information such as how the older person prefers to be addressed; food likes or dislikes; allergies; whether they prefer companionship at mealtime; activities they like or dislike; areas of required assistance; best and worst times of days and other like considerations.

 

How do you find a caregiver?  If hiring through an agency, there are several home care agencies in most communities. They are listed in the phone book and seniors directories. You can also speak to a Geriatric Care Manager about reputable agencies in the community. They can also assist with screening candidates to ensure a good match is made.

 

If hiring privately, a referral from a friend or family is usually the preferred route. Note however that if someone’s previous experience has been looking after children, it is not the same as caring for an older adult.

 

Also consider joining a support group for caregivers which can provide an excellent forum for discussion and individual support to assist you in this journey.

« Previous Page — Next Page »