A Better Way of Care  Senior Care

When starting to look for help for a Loved One, it can get very confusing. Where do I need to start? Who do I need to contact? What kind of help is available for Mom & Dad? How much does it cost? Who provides what services?

It is overwhelming and confusing.

 Too often, decisions for Seniors are made by children and relatives under time constraints without all the information available.                                                                                                   The first question to ask needs to be: What kind of help does my Loved One need?                                                                                   The answer is either: Medical or Non-Medical Help.                The next logical query is: Where do I find the help                                                                            Where do I need to start?

 Medical Help

As the name suggests: medical help starts with doctors and hospitals who treat acute and chronic illnesses and help their patients maintain the health they still have or slow down the course of chronic conditions.

A patient who is just being released from the hospital often is referred to Skilled Nursing or Rehabilitation to regain their strength. Usually these stays are covered by Medicare and insurance.

If your Loved One does not want to go to a rehab or a skilled  nursing facility, most physical rehabilitation can be done on an outpatient basis or even by therapists coming to the home. These services are ordered by the attending physician and covered by medicare and insurances. Therefore, your first step is to talk to your physician and enlist his or her cooperation.

If your Loved One has problems taking their bath because she or he is afraid of falls, Home Health Care can be ordered by    the family doctor. Home Health Care is covered under Medicare.    A bath-aid will help your Loved One several times a week with personal hygiene. In addition, a nurse typically comes out once a week to check on your Loved One and help with medication management and any equipment need. You can find many fine Home Health Care Services right in the phone book or by talking to your physician or Social Worker.

Non Medical Help

 This is often the first clue children and relatives of Seniors see that help is needed. Long before a doctor tells a family that their Loved One can not live alone anymore, there are signs that are often ignored.

When a Senior's home becomes dusty, the bathroom does not need any cleaning for weeks, the loads of laundry dwindle to nothing, eating habits become worrisome and there is some weight loss, bills are left unpaid or there are unexplainable checks written, the time has come to either get more involved in your Loved Ones life or get help.The first solution that comes to mind is usually to hire a cleaning service (which addresses the visible problem). A better solution would be to hire a Companion/Sitter Service to keep the house clean and the laundry done. The caregivers also help with doctors appointments, errands and cooking, entertainment, etc. Since the caregivers are trained, they will keep a  discrete eye on your Loved One's overall functioning and report any changes in functioning that may need attention. Services like that are not covered by Medicare but are no more costly then a cleaning service. A good long term care insurance will cover the cost. Also, help is available through the VA Social Work Department. 

For Seniors who do not have resources for private care, the Department of Human Services has the Advantage Waver Program and the Areawide Aging Agency can refer you to Sunbeam Family Services who can help. If transportation to doctor's  appointments is needed, there is RSVP and several other options but they need advanced notice.

These resources are designed to help Seniors remain in their home rather then move to Independent or Assisted Living Facilities or a Nursing home. 

When asked, most Seniors will say that they want to stay in their own home.

In case of Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease, staying at home becomes even more important since a move to strange surroundings can contribute to a faster decline.

Some other resources are Meals on Wheels, Senior Centers for Socialization and Adult Daycare Centers.

The Areawide Aging Agency publishes a resource guide, "The Survival Kit for Seniors",  which is available on request and for a small donation.

We hope this information has been helpful to you.