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All Posts Tagged: dimantia

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Financing Long-Term Care: Private Insurance vs. Medicaid

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There are many variables for the families of Alzheimer’s patients to consider, one of which is the financial aspect of the long-term care. The progressiveness and longevity of the disease makes it difficult to determine the cost of long-term care. However, by exploring all your options and planning for care services early, you can help your loved one receive the best care possible.

Paying out-of-pocket for in-home nursing care or for residence in an adult family home or skilled nursing facility can represent a great financial burden for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. Due to the often high cost of these services, it may not be feasible to cover the expenses on your own. However, there are other options, one of which is insurance. Many private insurance plans, as well as the government program Medicaid, offer financing options for skilled nursing care. In addition to traditional health insurance, some life insurance policies allow funds to be allocated to long-term care.

While Medicare does not pay for in-home or residential care, Medicaid funds can be used to finance this type of care for eligible individuals. In order to qualify for Medicaid, your assets must fall below a certain threshold. Your state Medicaid office can help you determine the eligibility of your loved one for nursing home benefits or other programs offered by Medicaid. For individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid or other government programs, private insurance policies specifically dedicated to long-term care can be a good alternative. Such insurance policies vary widely and can range from very basic, such as only covering nursing-home care, to comprehensive. Services offered can include assistance for in-home care, medical supplies, and other products and services. Former military personnel and federal government employees could receive a discounted rate for these insurance plans. Mindful planning and research can help your loved one receive the care that they need within the budget that best suits you.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to provide financial advice for you or any loved one. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Financing Home Care New York

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Exploring All Options When Paying for Care Service

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Long-term care can be expensive. Whether your loved one will receive in-home care or reside in a skilled-care facility, the costs can quickly add up. The emotional toil of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis coupled with concerns on financing care can be overwhelming. It is important to remember that there is help available. By taking advantage of all your resources, you’ll be able to streamline the process of financing care. Your loved one may qualify for government programs such as Social Security, Medicaid, veteran benefits, and tax deductions or credits. Government sponsored websites like Benefits.gov, the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information, and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs all provide information about how to finance care service.

In addition to government resources, an individual may be eligible for benefits through their employer. Retirement packages can offer pension plans, IRA funds, and annuities. If your loved one is still employed when he or she is diagnosed, review the employer’s handbook and contact the human resources department. Employee benefits may be available such as short-term disability benefits, paid sick leave, and flexible spending accounts that allow for the purchase of tax-free healthcare services. All of these employment related resources can help ease the cost of care.

Insurance is usually the major source of funding for long-term care. Elderly over the age of 65 rely on Medicare for health care coverage. Private insurance can also be beneficial, check with the insurance company to find out what expenses are covered. Personal assets including investments, savings and property can be sources that serve as additional income. Check your local community organizations as many provide inexpensive or free services that cater to the elderly. By exploring all the options for financing care, you’ll be enhancing your loved one’s future and helping to secure the best possible care for them.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to provide financial advice for you or any loved one. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Financing Home Care New York

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Financing Home Care Services

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When someone you love is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a host of concerns and questions are bound to come up. You may wonder what life will be like for you and your loved one as the disease progresses and they lose their ability to function independently. You will probably start thinking about how to best provide for their care once they need help performing routine tasks. One unavoidable aspect of Alzheimer’s care is the need to plan financially for your loved one’s long-term care.

In the period immediately following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, figuring out how to provide high-quality care for your loved one is a top priority. However, the reality of paying for such care can compound the stress of an already emotionally difficult situation. In-home care and nursing home care can both be very expensive, and are often not covered by insurance. It’s not uncommon for people to exhaust their life-savings paying for long-term care. The families of people needing long-term care also carry a heavy financial load, often going into debt paying for the care. However, while it may seem overwhelming at first, there are resources available to help you pay for your loved one’s care.

Agencies like Homecare Planning Solutions are set up to walk you through the process of financing long-term care. They can give you all the information you need to make informed choices about your loved one’s care. Homecare Planning Solutions can help to evaluate your finances in order to decide the best course of action, as well as assemble relevant documents and submit applications to Medicaid and insurance agencies. They can also negotiate with insurance companies and care providers on your behalf to insure that you get the best rates possible. Finally, Homecare Planning Solutions can provide quality in-home care at no cost to you while you decide the best way in which to pay for your loved one’s care. Although confronting an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can cause lots of worry and anxiety, there is help available when it comes to important decisions regarding financial planning for long-term care. Agencies like Homecare Planning Solutions can reduce the stress involved in paying for Alzheimer’s care and increase your peace of mind.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to provide financial advice for you or any loved one. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Financing Home Care New York

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Insight on Skilled Home Health Aides

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Those who are recovering from surgery, disabled or suffering from dementia will benefit from in home care services. An in-home health aide gives your loved one security and comfort in their own home. Specifically for the elderly, in-home care grants them the ability to live as independently as they can for the longest time possible. There are a variety of care services available offering a range of assistance. For example, a personal care aid can prepare meals while a companion aide organizes recreational activities. Home care aides usually work with individuals who are moderately self-sufficient and not reliant on around-the-clock care as in a hospital. A skilled care worker is for someone who has surpassed the hospital stage but still requires regular medical care.

When your loved one’s needs extend beyond the qualifications of an in-home care service worker, a skilled care professional is needed. A skilled care aide, such as an in-home nurse, fulfills medical needs of elderly who are ill, disabled, or suffering from dementia. The needs of the patient may include administering medications and shots, conducting physical therapy, overseeing rehabilitation after a surgery, accessing health levels and performing emergency care. In-home medical professionals are trained specifically to manage care and observe health to ensure stability. Skilled care workers are informed about medical practices and are able to effectively monitor health conditions.

As you begin your search, have these questions ready to ask the in-home medical professional: What kind of services can they provide? Can they provide references and certifications? What is the cost? Do they accept insurance? Use resources like your local hospitals, community centers, and local online listings to find the best service. An aide can serve as a valuable source of information as you and your loved one face health issues.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to provide home health care for you or any loved one. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Home Health Care New Yrok

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More Advice on Aggression and Other Behavioral Difficulties

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Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is an incredible challenge. In addition to taking on responsibility for their activities of daily living – dressing, bathing, mealtimes, toileting, and so on – caregivers must contend with the added difficulty of the behavioral changes that often accompany Alzheimer’s. It can be extremely upsetting when someone you love exhibits aggression, confusion, disturbed sleep, or other behavioral issues. Knowing how to respond when these issues do arise – and what you can do to prevent or mitigate them – can help you to manage your own stress level, as well as improve your loved one’s quality of life.

A common behavioral change that occurs in Alzheimer’s patients is increased aggression. Even someone who was previously calm and easy-going can become aggressive or agitated as a result of dementia. Episodes of aggression can come seemingly out of nowhere, with the patient lashing out verbally or physically. However, if your loved one exhibits aggression, it could be because of pain or physical discomfort, hunger, thirst, or disturbances in the environment. Make sure that they have all of their physical needs met and that the environment is soothing, without loud noises, bright lights, lots of activity or unfamiliar people. Also, pay attention to your own tone of voice and body language. Even though people with Alzheimer’s may lose the ability to understand spoken language, they remain highly attuned to non-verbal cues: if you are feeling stressed or irritated, your loved one may become agitated in turn. To help avoid confusion and anger, use simple, easy-to-follow instructions, keep a routine, and make sure that your facial expression and body language convey warmth and calm.

People with Alzheimer’s often experience difficulties sleeping and eating. In order to preserve these crucial functions – and allow yourself to rest and recharge – maintain a consistent routine around sleep and mealtimes. Use soft music, inviting colors, and favorite foods to make eating more appealing. Exercise can stimulate the appetite and encourage sleep. Limit their caffeine and sugar, as well as daytime napping, to help your loved one sleep through the night.
Among the changes that occur with Alzheimer’s, confusion, depression, and hallucinations are common, and can severely impact the patient’s quality of life. Medications can all contribute to these issues, and should be monitored regularly to insure proper dosage and prevent adverse drug interactions. Providing adequate exercise, companionship, and opportunities for meaningful activity, as well as insuring a soothing and calm environment, can all help to mitigate these issues.

If your loved one exhibits wandering behavior, it’s important to make sure that they are safe. Wandering around the house might not be a problem, as long as the patient is kept away from stairwells and other hazards. Make sure to keep doors locked to prevent wandering outdoors. It can be helpful to hide shoes, keys, purses, or other items that the patient habitually brings with them on outings. Appropriate supervised exercise can help to prevent restlessness, and providing distractions, such as music, reading aloud, or looking at pictures, can help to reduce the impulse to wander. In the event that your loved one does go outside, make sure that they wear an ID bracelet at all times, and notify neighbors to be on the lookout.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to provide home health care for you or any loved one. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Home Health Care New Yrok

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