Jenny Kim, Client Care Manager for All Valley Home Care in La Mesa, California shares caregiver support advice for family caregivers. As a senior home care services provider Jenny specializes in providing caregiver support.

Caring for a loved one with any kind of disabling condition will change the way families and their caregivers live their lives. It may have negative effects on those family members providing long-term care. Fortunately, there are many resources and options out there for family members to help alleviate stress. In California alone, there are eleven nonprofit Caregiver Resource Centers throughout the state that serve more than 14,000 families and caregivers of adults affected by chronic health conditions. First and foremost, when you are taking care of a loved one, you need to remember to take care of your own emotional and physical health.

Caregiver Support Groups

Coping and getting caregiver support comes in many different forms. This can include talking to your family, friends, or professionals, taking walks, or reading a book. Many caregivers tend to shut out friends and family and end up feeling isolated and as if no one understands what they’re going through. In this case, caregiver support groups are very important in that you’ll find others who are in similar situations. You can connect with fellow caregivers and it will give you a chance to vent and exchange ideas. When looking for caregiver support groups, remember the 3 C’s: comfort, convenience and confidentiality. You can always check out different caregiver support groups before you decide on the one that fits your personality and lifestyle. Caregiver support groups vary in size and purpose; some are geared towards specific illnesses like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, while others may be open to anyone caring for a parent or loved one, period. A good online resource you can utilize to find different types of support groups is the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging website.

Find Respite Care

No matter how fit and strong you think you are, caregiving can and will eventually take a toll on your body and mind. Respite care will provide you with a much needed break from your daily responsibilities. Respite care can mean anything from hiring a senior home care agency to take care of your loved one within the comfort of his or her home for a couple of hours to a social adult day care. There are many places you can go with your loved one where they can participate in arts and crafts or exercise classes while you attend a support group or just sit and eat lunch with other family caregivers. You may also have the option of doing some of the activities together. An excellent example of this is Circle of Care Leeza’s Place in Sherman Oaks, CA. Anyone taking care of a loved one diagnosed with a memory disorder is welcome to come and attend free programs that will provide them with insight and respite in a comfortable, intimate setting. Some activities that take place at this center are Memory Fitness, Chair Exercises, Tai Chi, Scrapbooking, and Caregiver and Parkinson’s Support groups. These types of centers can be found all over the U.S. and will provide you with both emotional and physical support.

Family caregiving is much more common than you think and there is a lot of help out there for you. There are a vast amount of online resources you can access by using a search engine like Google or Yahoo. A caregiver who takes care of herself or himself, physically & emotionally, will ultimately be a better caregiver to a loved one.

If you would like more assistance or information you can always call us at 1-866-273-2995, visit our Senior In-Home Care Agency Directory, or fill out this simple online form. Get Help Now!

Trent Rushton of Advanced Home Health Care in Boise, Idaho shares ten things you should know before choosing a long-term care insurance policy. One of the many benifits of long-term care insurance is that it covers both senior home care services and assisted living facility care.

Long-Term Care is Different From Traditional Medical Care

Someone with a prolonged physical illness, a disability or a cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease often needs long-term care. Long-term care services may include help with activities of daily living, non-medical in-home care, home health care & skilled nursing, respite care, hospice care, adult day care, care in a nursing home or care in an assisted living facility.

Long-Term Care Can be Expensive

The cost depends on the amount, type and location of care you need. In 2001, the national average cost of nursing home care was $56,000 per year, assisted living facilities reported $22,476 per year and home care costs ranged from $12,000 to $16,000 per year.

You Have Options When Paying for Long-Term Care

People pay for long-term care in a variety of ways. These include using personal resources, long-term care insurance and Medicaid for those who qualify. Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance and the health insurance you may have from work usually will not pay for long-term care. Long-term care insurance will pay for some or all of your long-term care.

Decide Whether Long-Term Care Insurance is for You

Whether you should buy a long-term care insurance policy will depend on your age, health status, overall retirement goals, income and assets. For instance, if your only source of income is a Social Security benefit or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you probably should not buy long-term care insurance since you may not be able to afford the premium. On the other hand, if you have a large amount of assets but do not want to use them to pay for long-term care, you may want to buy a long-term care insurance policy. Many people buy a policy because they want to stay independent of government aid or the help of their family. They don’t want to burden anyone with having to care for them. However, you should not buy a policy if you can’t afford the premium or are not sure you can pay the premium for the rest of your life.

Pre-Existing Condition Limitations

A long-term care insurance policy usually defines a pre-existing condition as one for which you received medical advice or treatment or had symptoms within a certain period before you applied for the policy. Some companies look further back in time than others. Many companies will sell a policy to someone with a pre-existing condition. However, the company may not pay benefits for long-term care related to that condition for a period after the policy goes into effect, usually six months. Some companies have longer pre-existing condition periods or none at all.

Know Where to Look for Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance is available to you in several different forms. You can buy an individual policy from a private insurance company or agent, or you can buy coverage under a group policy through an employer or association membership. The federal government and several state governments offer long-term care insurance coverage to their employees, retirees and their families. You can also get long-term care benefits through a life insurance policy. Some states have long-term care insurance programs designed to help people with the financial impact of spending down to meet Medicaid eligibility standards. Check with your state insurance department or counseling program to see if these policies are available in your state.

Check With Several Companies and Agents

Contact several companies and agents before you buy a long-term care policy. Be sure to compare benefits, the types of facilities covered, limits on your coverage, what is not covered and the premium. Policies from different insurance companies often have the same coverage and benefits but may not cost the same. Be sure to ask companies about their rate increase history and whether they have increased the rates on the long-term care insurance policies.

Don’t be Misled by Advertising

Most celebrity endorsers are professional actors paid to advertise, not insurance experts. It is also important to note that Medicare does not endorse or sell long-term care insurance policies, so be wary of advertising that suggests Medicare is involved. Do not trust cards you get in the mail that look like official government documents until you check with the government agency identified on the card.

Make Sure the Insurance Company is Reputable

To help you find out if an insurance company is reliable, you can take the following actions: Stop before you sign anything, call your state insurance department and confirm that the insurance company is licensed to do business in your state. After you make sure they are licensed, check the financial stability of the company by checking their ratings. You can get ratings from some insurer rating services for free at most public libraries.

Review Your Contract Carefully

When you purchase long-term care insurance, your company should send you a policy. You should read the policy and make certain you understand its contents. If you have questions about your insurance policy, contact your insurance agent for clarification. If you still have questions, turn to your state insurance department or insurance counseling program.

If you would like more assistance or information you can always call us at 1-866-273-2995, or fill out this simple online form. Get Help Now!

Sabrina Garrovillas of All Valley Home Care in San Diego, CA gives valuable insight on the signs, symptoms and prevention of depression in the elderly. All Valley provides senior home care services that not only help prevent depression in the elderly, but also enable seniors to thrive independently in the comfort of their own home.

Depression in the elderly is not necessary part of aging nor is it a normal part of growing old. The death of a spouse, medical problems and feelings of loneliness are a few of the major causes that lead to elderly depression, especially if there is no strong support system in place. When left alone, it not only prevents elderly from enjoying life but it can greatly affect their health. However, by being aware and knowing signs of depression and how to spot those signs, we as family members can find effective ways to help our loved ones.

For many adults, loss is a painful experience – whether it’s loss of mobility, health, a loved one, a long-time career and independence. According to the National Institutes of Health, out of the 35 million Americans who are of the age 65 or older, about 2 million suffer from serious cases of depression. Though depression maybe common among the elderly population, only a small percentage will seek the help they need.

Medical conditions that can trigger depression in the elderly

• heart attack
• Parkinson’s disease
• cancer
• diabetes
• multiple sclerosis
• stroke
• Alzheimer’s

Signs and symptoms of depression in the elderly

• fatigue
• abandoning or loosing interest in hobbies
• social withdrawal
• isolation
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• sleep disturbances
• suicidal thoughts
• continuous worrying
• a loss of self worth.

Ways to help prevent elderly depression

• schedule regular social activities
• plan and prepare healthy meals
• making sure all medications are being taken when instructed
• invite your loved one on family outings
• encourage them to follow through with treatment.

If you would like more assistance or information you can always call us at 1-866-273-2995, visit our Senior In-Home Care Agency Directory, or fill out this simple online form. Get Help Now!

Samantha Alberts of All Valley Home Care in La Mesa, CA shares helpful advice about senior nutrition. Ensuring your senior loved one is receiving the proper nutrition is just one of the many benefits of senior home care services.

Good nutrition is important at all ages and in all stages of life, but many seniors are not properly nourished. Chronic illness, difficulty chewing or swallowing, a diminished sense of taste or smell and many medications can all adversely affect appetite and absorption of nutrients which can then lead to malnourishment. In addition to the many physical causes of malnourishment, emotional and social issues like depression and alcoholism or decreased interpersonal interaction and limited income can have a huge affect on how much and how often an individual eats.

As caregivers, family and friends of seniors, we can help to identify and alleviate malnutrition by paying attention to the signs and symptoms, being proactive and getting help if needed.

Signs of Poor Senior Nutrition

• Notice things like malaise, poor healing of wounds and easy bruising.
• Know the side affects of prescription medications, make sure these are taken correctly and make sure all caregivers are aware as well.
• If you are particularly concerned about an elderly person in your care and they are willing, you can request a doctor visit or consult with a nutritionist.

There are some very simple things we as senior caregivers can do to help increase nutrient intake and enjoyment of food.

Tips to Improve Senior Nutrition

• Try offering snacks in addition to regular meals, make foods interesting with spices and extracts, especially for people with diminished sense of taste or those on a sodium restricted diet.
• Cooking often simply takes too much effort, make things easier by preparing large batches of things like soups, casseroles and breads and freeze or refigerate single servings to be heated and eaten later.
• Make eating a social event; try to visit at mealtimes, offer to cook for or take him or her out to lunch.
• Offer to go grocery shopping together and try to choose nutrient dense foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy products.

Eating a well balanced diet and drinking lots of fluids can be particularly beneficial for seniors and can help with many common digestive complaints like gas and constipation.

• Consuming lots of fruits and vegetables and including whole grains and dried fruits and plenty of water all aid in regularity.
• Avoiding fried and fatty foods can help reduce heartburn and the need for antacids.
• Eating smaller, more frequent meals, chewing thoroughly and eating slowly can all help reduce excess gas.

Even people on a special diet or those with chewing or swallowing problems can get adequate nutrition with a little help.

• Cutting foods into small pieces and cooking hard crunchy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables can make eating easier for seniors with chewing problems.
• Drinking plenty of fluids or sucking on hard candies or lozenges can help to alleviate dryness of the mouth that may inhibit swallowing.
• Planning meals and snacks and keeping fresh, healthy food on hand can help those who have to follow particular diets, such as low sugar or low sodium.

You can always call us at 1-866-273-2995, visit our Senior In-Home Care Agency Directory, or fill out this simple online form for more assistance and information. Get Help Now!

Monica Galicia, Human Resources Director for All Valley Home Care in Las Mesa, California shares her advice for making a decision between hiring an independent caregiver or a senior home care agency.

A critical decision that many family caregivers face when looking for respite care is whether to go with a senior home care agency or hire an independent caregiver. Before deciding which direction you and your family want to go, there are many things you should keep in mind such as:  the level of care that is needed, your family’s personal preferences and financial resources.

Many families lean toward hiring an independent caregiver because the cost is typically lower, however, there are several negative aspects of hiring an independent caregiver. In this blog I will explore each option to help you decide what is the best choice for you and your family.

Senior Home Care Agency

A Senior Home Care agency may be a good choice for you and your loved ones if you would like an outside entity that:

• Will screen caregivers and do thorough background checks
• Assumes full liability for all care provided
• Supervises caregivers and will replace them if necessary
• May require caregivers to have safety barriers in place such as current CPR cards, TB tests, DMV reports and auto insurance
• Takes responsibility for caregivers’ benefits, vacation days, and sick days
• Has a replacement caregiver available in case your regular caregiver calls in sick
• Lets you and your family interview several different caregivers to give you a choices and the control to decide who you feel the most comfortable with.
• Is flexible on how you want to use your time (i.e. splitting shifts or changing schedules)
• For those who can not afford to pay privately, there are some sources of support to pay for home care such as:
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • V.A. Aid and Attendant Program
  • SCRC (Southern Caregivers Resource Center)
  • MS Society
  • Hospice Respite Funds

For clients who have a very low income and are eligible for Medi-Cal or Medicaid, there is a program called In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). This County-run program pays caregivers to provide senior home care services for those who qualify.

Independent Caregiver

Though it can be less expensive to hire a private caregiver, there are a lot of risks involved. You may find a great person on an attendant registry at a local community-based program, advertised in a local newspaper or by word of mouth, but that does not mean that the caregiver is dependable or has the necessary skills to help you. To find out, you must do the leg work that senior home care agency would otherwise take care of for you such as:

• Taking time to locate and interview all applicants and check on work references.
• Background checks you or family may want to run, which can be costly.
• Assuming responsibility for verifying CPR and a negative TB test. If your family member needs any kind of transportation it would be wise to require a driving record and verify auto insurance also.
• Providing back up care when your independent caregiver calls in sick or is otherwise unable to work.
• Liability if the caregiver is injured the home.
• Responsibilities as the employer to file social security and pay taxes.
• Making sure the caregiver has the skills necessary to provide safe and quality care. It is difficult to verify current credentials or training.

Many families are unaware of the risk and liabilities that are assumed when an independent caregiver is hired to care for a loved one. The ultimate choice is up to you and your family. Making a decision based on your needs and preferences is your first step. If you are considering hiring a independent caregiver simply to save money, however, you should take into consideration all of the liability, responsibility, and vigilance that will be required.A good choice may be to go through a senior home care agency that will work with you and your families wants and needs.

You can always call us at 1-866-273-2995, visit our Senior In-Home Care Agency Directory, or fill out this simple online form for more assistance and information. Get Help Now!

Choosing an assisted living facility can be a very overwhelming process. In an ideal world you would be able to take time to discover what facilities are available prior to the actual need to move, thus avoiding choosing a facility placement that might not be the best match and also to understand the cost and different sources of funding, and possibly get on a waiting list at the facility of your choice.

Often times the need for facility based care arrises during an unexpected crisis, when there is very little time to identify or understand what options are available.

At Vida, we understand the burden this can place on the family of an elder loved one.  Our Assisted Living Facility Transitions program is designed to “buy” you and your loved one the precious time you need during the decision making process.

Our Senior Transition Consultants can help with both choosing an assisted living facility and also by getting your loved one senior home care services during the “transition period”.

Your Vida Transition Consultant will help you evaluate and choose a facility based on the following criteria.

Initial Assisted Living Facility Considerations:

• What area of town is preferred?
• What is the size of the facility? larger (30+ residents) or smaller home style (2-12 residents)
• Are pets allowed?
• Is smoking allowed?
• Are there private rooms available, or only shared rooms?
• What sources of payment are accepted by the facility?
• What level of care is needed?

Once the assisted living facilities in your area are identified that meet these initial considerations, there are several additional questions to then ask.

Service & Planning

• How often are residents’ needs assessed? Who completes the assessment?
• Are there special programs for memory impaired residents and residents with dementia? Is it a locked area?
• Are there accommodations for memory impaired residents to be outside and exercise?
• Are there special programs for residents with disabilities?
• How are emergency situations managed? What is the protocol for such events
• What happens if the health care needs of a resident change? Under what conditions are residents asked to move if there is a change in health status?

Service & Activities

• Does staff assist residents in administration of medication?
• Does the facility use a particular pharmacy? If so, does that pharmacy participate in the individual’s Medicare Part D prescrition drug plan?
• Are there professional nursing services on site? If not, does the staff assist residents and families in making arrangements through a home health agency?
• Are the services of physical, occupational or speech therapy available or arranged?
• Does the facility provide laundry service?
• Are there beauty shop services available on site?
• What recreational and spiritual activities are available? Obtain and review a copy of the activities calander
• Is transportaion provided for medical appointments and recreational purposes?
• Are there resident and family counsils? How often do they meet?
• Can hospice care be offered? If so, does the facility coordinate that care with the physician and family?

Staff

• What is the resident’s staffing patterns and philosophy about staffing?
• What training and qualifications are required for staff? Are there on-going training programs provided for staff?
• Observe staff and resident interactions. Are they positive? Courteous?

Moving in

• What does the moving in process entail? What are the paperwork requirements and the time frames involved?
• How is the initial assessment managed? Who completes the assessment?
• Is the assisted living facility affiliated with a hospital or skilled nursing facility should acute or long term care be needed? If so, is there a priority admission process?
• If your loved one needs hospital or or nursing home care, is their room held?

Costs & Fees:

• What is included in the basic monthly cost? Ask for a written copy.
• Does the facility have a written schedule of fees for extra services? If so, request a copy.
• Under what circumstance might the fees change? How much notice is given if there is a fee increase?
• Is there a security deposit? What is the refund policy?

Dinning and Food Services

• Does the assisted living facility accommodate special diets?
• Does a dietician review the menus? Request to review copies of the menus.
• How often do the menus rotate?
• Are residents allowed to have guests for meals? Is there a separate guest dining room.
• What are the criteria for residents to eat meals in their rooms?

Living Space

• Are the resident rooms furnished or unfurnished?
• What is the policy for overnight guests? Are there guest rooms available?
• What are the guest fees?
• Does the facility meet the rules for people with disabilities?
• Are pets allowed in the residence? If so, are there additional fees or deposits?

Licensure & Certification

• Is the facility licenced?
• Ask to review documentation.
• If the state requires the administratior to be licenced,is it current?
• Does the staff participate in a professional association?

To learn more you can call us at 1.866.273.2995. You can also fill out the simple online form to have one of our Senior Care Specialists contact you. Get Help Now.