Articles - The Main Categories
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Caregiving
Person Direct Care in Comparison to Institutional Care
Person Direct Care meets the unique needs of individuals confronting Alzheimer’s/Dementia, as well as those of their loved ones. Person Direct Care practicing the Eden Alternative Philosophy is the method which develops strong, open, and transparent relationships for all concerned and provides individualized care. Standard institutional care approaches its delivery of care by strict adherence to processes, schedules, staff needs and relentless organizational rules and red tape. Many institutions are a form of what has
Hiring the Best Caregiver for Your Loved One
Aging in place becomes increasingly more important as your loved one ages and as their activities of daily living become more difficult. When this begins, home care is the best option. Finding a caregiver that fits your loved one’s needs can seem like a daunting task. To know exactly what to look for in a caregiver, start with these steps. Know What You Need Before starting the search, you need to know what type of
Join the Caregiver Iris Movement and be a Hope Grows Caregiver Champion!
With more than 44 million caregivers nationwide, Hope Grows feels the time has come to launch a movement that honors caregivers. The Blue-Bearded Iris is the symbol to raise awareness of caregiver issues while championing caregiver appreciation and assistance. The Iris flower, in general, implies a message and promise of hope, representing a movement to honor caregivers and raise awareness of needed support. While the Blue-Bearded Iris was introduced to Hope Grows in its first
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Elder Law
3 Reasons Simple Will Plans are Insufficient
It’s Not Only About the Money. The problem with simple wills is that they generally deal with who gets the stuff. General will plans for married families typically distribute assets “all to spouse then to my kids in equal shares.” Consider this question… is money the only thing you give to your kids? Don’t we also give our kids other valuable things: respect, work ethic, religion, morals? Of course, we do. Unfortunately, this is where
Planning for Health Care Near the End of Life
Many older people think about how they want to dispose of their home and other property when they die. To assure this is handled as they wish, they make a will. They also can decide and document who will make financial decisions if age or illness no longer allows them to do so. Sometimes people are not aware they can also establish a plan for the health care they want near the end of life.
Powers of Attorney
Powers of Attorney are the most underrated legal documents. It seems to be common knowledge that “everyone needs a Will” but many people don’t know that Powers of Attorney are even more important for the majority of people. Without a Will your estate will usually be divided among your decedents under Colorado law…just like the vast majority of all Wills say. While a Will only takes effect after death, Powers of Attorney cover you while
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Health at Home
Services to Help at Home
Services to Help at Home Services in the home are divided into three kinds. • Home Health Care. This service is provided by nurses and other medical professionals. • Home Care. This service is provided by uncertified staff. • Hospice Care. This service is specifically for persons with a life-limiting condition. Services are provided by nurses and other medical professionals. Home Health Care is skilled medical care to help an individual regain their health. Typically,
How Do I Choose A Homecare Company?
Non-medical homecare can be difficult – asking a stranger to come into your home and provide care for your loved one. It’s even more difficult finding the right agency that you feel you can trust to provide the best care and offer you peace of mind. There are many benefits of using homecare: Keeping your loved one in the comfort of their own home Homecare is personalized to the individual’s needs and allows you to be
What to Do When Your Loved One Needs Long Distance Care
You took that fantastic job offer in another state. Mom and Dad were healthy and fine. Then Dad passed away and now Mom is not doing well on her own. She’s reached an age where daily assistance may be necessary and you’re 1,000 miles away. If this scenario sounds familiar, remote care giving might be the answer. “This scenario plays out each and every day in thousands of Americans lives,” says Richard Bitner of Visiting Angels
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Healthy Aging
The Many Benefits of Inpatient Rehabilitation for Stroke
When a loved one suffers from a stroke, it is an unexpected and life changing event for everyone in the family. Stroke can cause paralysis or weakness on one side, visual/perceptual impairment, reduced coordination and balance, language and cognitive difficulty, bowel and bladder issues and swallowing difficulty, among many other issues. Stroke impacts thinking, talking, and daily living skills. Luckily, stroke rehabilitation can help greatly improve a patient’s symptoms from a stroke and in many cases,
Screening, Prevention and Early Detection
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. For every 100,000 people, 438 new cancer cases were reported, and 159 people died of cancer. Prevention is the best way to fight it, as many types of cancers can be prevented, while others are more easily treated when diagnosed early. Cancer screenings are an important part of early diagnosis, prevention and treatment. COLON CANCER Everyone age 50 and older needs to get
Get Active, Feel Great!
Rosemary Thomas proudly endorses physical fitness and the saying, “If you don’t move it, you will lose it.” After two hip replacements and fluctuating weight, she knew she needed to step up her fitness routine to regain mobility. Joining SilverSneakers® provided her with the consistency she desired and the confidence she needed to begin fine-tuning her body. In addition to attending SilverSneakers classes regularly, she loves cardio and dancing. Thomas encourages others to get active
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Money
What is a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)*?
A HECM reverse mortgage loan is a way to turn a portion of the equity in your home into cash. The proceeds from a reverse mortgage can be used to pay for unexpected expenses, such as nursing home costs or long-term care. It could also provide you with additional cash flow for all the expenses you have. As long as all loan terms are met, the loan does not require repayment until the last surviving
How to Preserve Assets When Faced With Long Term Care Costs
It is estimated that over 70% of people over 65 will need some type of Long Term Care(LTC) according to the US Department of Health & Human Services. Meet Charlie and Fran. They have three children, 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren…so far! They have hopes and dreams for their future generations and have worked hard to ensure their legacy is passed on. As they age, they realize that if either one of them needs
Is Paying your Property Tax Bill a Hardship?
Senior Citizens having trouble paying real estate taxes can apply for the Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program. This program allows qualified Illinois residents to defer up to $5000 of the property taxes on their personal residence, giving seniors the financial freedom to remain in their own home. Deferred taxes are repaid with low interest when the property is sold or following the taxpayer’s death. Qualifications: Be 65 or older by June 1st, 2018 Annual household
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Professional Services and Resources
The Many Benefits of Inpatient Rehabilitation for Stroke
When a loved one suffers from a stroke, it is an unexpected and life changing event for everyone in the family. Stroke can cause paralysis or weakness on one side, visual/perceptual impairment, reduced coordination and balance, language and cognitive difficulty, bowel and bladder issues and swallowing difficulty, among many other issues. Stroke impacts thinking, talking, and daily living skills. Luckily, stroke rehabilitation can help greatly improve a patient’s symptoms from a stroke and in many cases,
Avoid Nursing Home Medicaid Mistakes
“I didn’t know how stressful this would be.” This is a comment from a client of my firm who recently placed her Mom into a nursing home and is attempting to have Medicaid pay for the care. If you are in the process of applying for Medicaid benefits, you probably share this sentiment. A nursing home admission will result in tremendous financial stress for families. Nursing homes can cost more than $10,000 per month and
Virtual Reality – An Experience Apart from the Ordinary
It’s a sunny day in Paris and the sights our residents are experiencing through virtual reality are breathtaking. The St. Barnabas Memory Care Team, led by Midge Hobaugh, Memory Care Manager, is pleased to be working with Dr. Joseph Maroon, MD, FACS, Neurosurgeon, and MyndVR, to introduce the use of virtual reality to assist in the care and comfort of our residents living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. With the aid of our care team and
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Senior Housing
Questions to Start Your Senior Living Search
There are about 22,000 senior housing properties in the U.S. And there are different types of senior housing within that 22,000, so figuring out which one to choose can feel a bit daunting. Asking yourself two questions – “How much can I afford?” and “What level of services do I need?” – will help you narrow your range of choices so you can find the best fit for your lifestyle and budget. What Level of
Is Senior Living Right for Me?
There are many reasons to choose senior living. The process can seem daunting. The most important thing is for seniors to have a place to live and thrive in an environment that is best suited to their needs. There are three categories of reasons to choose a Personal Care Community: SUPPORT: Has your loved one recently lost a spouse? Is your life being affected by trying to care give? Does your loved one feel they
Mom’s Big Decision (An illustrative story)
I wouldn’t say my mother was ever a social butterfly, but since Dad’s passing the home health nurse and physical therapist had become the week’s highlights. We just could never get there often enough! Then the pneumonia and fall in the bathroom last winter scared us all. My brother said there was no way Mom could afford a senior home because a coworker told him what it cost for his dad. I did an internet
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Questions to Start Your Senior Living Search
There are about 22,000 senior housing properties in the U.S. And there are different types of senior housing within that 22,000, so figuring out which one to choose can feel a bit daunting. Asking yourself two questions – “How much can I afford?” and “What level of services do I need?” – will help you narrow your range of choices so you can find the best fit for your lifestyle and budget. What Level of
The Many Benefits of Inpatient Rehabilitation for Stroke
When a loved one suffers from a stroke, it is an unexpected and life changing event for everyone in the family. Stroke can cause paralysis or weakness on one side, visual/perceptual impairment, reduced coordination and balance, language and cognitive difficulty, bowel and bladder issues and swallowing difficulty, among many other issues. Stroke impacts thinking, talking, and daily living skills. Luckily, stroke rehabilitation can help greatly improve a patient’s symptoms from a stroke and in many cases,
Avoid Nursing Home Medicaid Mistakes
“I didn’t know how stressful this would be.” This is a comment from a client of my firm who recently placed her Mom into a nursing home and is attempting to have Medicaid pay for the care. If you are in the process of applying for Medicaid benefits, you probably share this sentiment. A nursing home admission will result in tremendous financial stress for families. Nursing homes can cost more than $10,000 per month and
Questions to Start Your Senior Living Search
There are about 22,000 senior housing properties in the U.S. And there are different types of senior housing within that 22,000, so figuring out which one to choose can feel a bit daunting. Asking yourself two questions – “How much can I afford?” and “What level of services do I need?” – will help you narrow your range of choices so you can find the best fit for your lifestyle and budget. What Level of
The Many Benefits of Inpatient Rehabilitation for Stroke
When a loved one suffers from a stroke, it is an unexpected and life changing event for everyone in the family. Stroke can cause paralysis or weakness on one side, visual/perceptual impairment, reduced coordination and balance, language and cognitive difficulty, bowel and bladder issues and swallowing difficulty, among many other issues. Stroke impacts thinking, talking, and daily living skills. Luckily, stroke rehabilitation can help greatly improve a patient’s symptoms from a stroke and in many cases,
Avoid Nursing Home Medicaid Mistakes
“I didn’t know how stressful this would be.” This is a comment from a client of my firm who recently placed her Mom into a nursing home and is attempting to have Medicaid pay for the care. If you are in the process of applying for Medicaid benefits, you probably share this sentiment. A nursing home admission will result in tremendous financial stress for families. Nursing homes can cost more than $10,000 per month and