When You Need to Care for an Elderly Relative

Caring for the elderly requires more than extra space, some medical equipment and heart full of love. There are financial, legal and long-term planning issues that can take you buy surprise, and they inevitably arise at the exact point at which you simply can't handle another "thing-to-do."

Proactive Planning for Elderly Caregivers

Here are 5 things to consider and begin moving in to place as you prepare to care for an elderly loved one.

1.     Safety first. Whether the senior plans to age-in-place or will be moving in with you, safety is a top priority. Seniors are prone to trip-and-fall accidents, a leading cause of knee and hip replacements as well as traumatic brain injuries, all of which can lead to or exacerbate existing memory issues. Work to minimize trip hazards, increase both day- and nighttime safety lighting and eliminate steps or uneven thresholds wherever possible. Grab bars should be installed in toilet and shower areas and exposed cords should be safely re-routed. Read, "Making Your Home Senior Friendly," for more tips on simple fixes that improve senior health, mobility and safety.

2.    Consult with a home healthcare provider. Seniors who are still active, mobile and/or independent may balk at the idea of consulting with a in-home care provider at this stage of the game. However, creating a long-term care plan is so much better than reacting in a knee-jerk fashion when the inevitable declines in physical and/or mental well-being take place as the result of aging. Age-related decline is an inevitable part of life so consulting with in-home care providers now can yield valuable (free!) insight and information that speeds up the implementation of available services when you need them most.

3.    Wrap up legal and financial affairs. Ideally, this will be done while the senior is still in complete control of his or her mental faculties. Even after a dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis, lawyers can work with families to establish a Power of Attorney, Will or Living Trust, Advanced Medical Directive and other important legal/financial documents that are invaluable if and when they're needed. Failure to take care of these issues now can cause significant emotional stress and serious complications down the road.

4.    Become insurance savvy. Similarly, a failure to understand exactly what medical treatments, therapies, healthcare provision, medical equipment, prescriptions, etc., are covered - or not covered - by the senior's insurance providers is essential in creating their long-term care budget. Unless your adept at reading documented fine-print, contact Medicare, Medicaid, and/or the senior's private insurance carrier and speak directly with representatives who will work to shed light on the ins-and-outs of the existing health insurance coverage.

5.    Learn about respite care options. Respite care is essential for caregivers so they can preserve their own mental and physical well-being. It is available in many forms, ranging from adult daycare options and volunteer companions to skilled in-home nursing care provided by licensed and certified healthcare professionals. Establishing a relationship with a reputable respite care provider can be the difference between losing yourself in the endless demands of full-time caregiving or being able to maintain necessary appointments, run errands, maintain relationships with spouses, family and friends and taking that much-needed, annual vacation.

Caring for the elderly is a full-time job, and requires a limitless supply of compassion, love and inner-drive. By addressing each of the points above, you will be better able to sustain those qualities as long as they are required.

Visit Nurse Registry online to learn more about our private nursing and respite care services. We're happy to assist you in creating a long-term care plan for your senior loved one.

Elder Care Options: What Are the Costs?

A growing number of seniors require care, but many families have concerns about the costs. There are many options that their loved ones have at their disposal, however, it often seems as though the options that are available are overwhelming. Fortunately, California residents have recourse to excellent in-home care options that make things easier for all involved.

Some of the advantages of in-home care include:

• Allowing seniors to remain in their own homes and continue their regular daily routine
• Recourse to experienced care to assist loved ones in managing health conditions
• Greater peace of mind with knowing that your loved one has the care they need if you don't live with them

How Much Does Health Care Cost?

In-home nurses are paid on an hourly basis that averages around $23 an hour. Much of the cost involved depends on the area, with areas that feature a dense population having a greater hourly cost. The length of time involved with the home visit may depend on several factors that include whether the senior requires medication and their specific health conditions.

Some of the considerations to keep in mind for costs include:

• Areas with low costs that average closer to $20 an hour include Riverside, Stockton, and Chico
• Santa Barbara, San Jose, and the Napa area have higher rates that range between $25 to $26 an hour
• There are several options that include waivers from Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program

Medi-Cal Options for Seniors

One of the helpful things about Medi-Cal is its waiver program that offers several options for seniors besides nursing homes. Home health care is one of these options, as well as modifications that make the person's home more accessible. Many low-income seniors in California are eligible, with some exceptions possible for seniors with income levels above the income restriction levels.

Some of the highlights of the Medi-Cal program include:

• Monthly income restrictions for either a single person or couple, along with a limit on assets that does not include the car or home
• A spend-down program with those whose assets are over the limits may opt for a program that includes only supportive, non-medical care or medical care in-home
• The spend-down program provides assistance through several waiver types

State Programs

The state of California also offers some options that are good for home care that are ideal for seniors who aren't Medi-Cal eligible. In-Home Supportive Services, also known as IHSS, has several options available for seniors or their families to choose. Having these choices helps make the process much easier for seniors in need and their loved ones. 

California Paid Family Leave is an option available to family caregivers. When a loved one requires care for a shorter-term period, this option allows a little more than half the caregiver's income to be replaced. However, a caregiver's employer is not required to help their job. Some families take advantage of this option while they are trying to work out a long-term home care solution.

Although finding out your loved one requires care is never easy, you are likely to be comforted knowing there are several options you can use. Your loved one is likely to be far happier being able to stay at home, and you will have greater peace of mind knowing that they are in capable hands. Home care is an option that you will find quite valuable. Contact Nurse Registry today to find out how we can help.

Preparing to Cover at Home After Surgery

Preparation is the key to recovering at home after a surgery. Unfortunately, patients often underestimate the types of support and services they may need in order to enjoy a more pain- and stress-free recovery. This is especially true for patients who live alone or whose spouses work and will be gone for the majority of the daytime hours.

From mobility aids and other medical equipment to post surgical home nursing and meal provisions - taking a broad-spectrum approach to your preparation will ensure you have exactly what you need as you need it. If nothing else, preparing a "just in case" contacts list will allow you or a helper to contact medical equipment supply companies or an in-home nursing care provider if it turns out your road to recovery is more rocky than originally anticipated.

4 Tips for Post-Surgical Recovery At Home

The following tips will help you prepare for a home recovery.

1.     Quiz Your Doctor Thoroughly. Even the most well-meaning doctors get so used to the post-recovery speech that they don't go into as much detail as you need. Also, if they assume you have someone at home to help out, they might not be as emphatic about some of the more challenging aspects of recovery.

• Make sure your doctor and nurses are aware you live alone, or that you'll be alone for the bulk of the day. Ask detailed questions, like:
• Will there be dressings to change? If so, can you reach them easily on your own? --How groggy will the pain meds make you?
• What are some of the side effects of the pain medications you'll be prescribed?
• Are there food or drinks you should/shouldn't eat?
• Will it be difficult for you to observe routine hygiene habits?
• What do you foresee my greatest recovery challenge(s) to be?

The answers to these questions - as well as a thorough review of the post-surgical instructions and literature provided - should help to guide your preparations.

2.    Talk to Your Insurance Company. You may find recovery will require short-term use of medical equipment or mobility aids. Some type of post surgical home nursing or caregiving may be recommended, especially if you require more complicated wound dressing, IV therapy or medication management. Often, these types of assistance are covered - or partially covered - by health insurance carriers, Medicare and Medicaid - but they will probably require a doctor's prescription or referral.

Researching ahead of time provides the opportunity to obtain referrals and to have medical support and equipment in place before returning from the hospital. Costs may only be covered for the immediate portion of your recovery, but no longer than that. So, you may need to budget out-of-pocket dollars for additional care.

3.    Contact home nursing care agencies. If it seems your recovery will require more skilled caregiving than you thought, reach out to local home nursing care agencies. Many offer free consultations and will be happy to review the post-surgical care instructions to determine whether you will benefit from post surgical home nursing or not. The sooner you do this, the more time you'll have to check their referrals and compare pricing schedules so you can prepare your budget.

4.    Stock up on favorites. Have an ample supply of favorite, easy-to-prepare foods, making sure there are simple soups and bland basics available for the first day or two. Search Netflix ahead of time and load up your movie queue. Books are great, but sometimes reading is difficult if pain, dizziness, nausea or pain-med grogginess become a factor. Plan on wearing soft, loose PJs and clothing so nothing irritates or binds potential recovery sites or sensitive skin.

Are you interested in learning more about what will be required in terms of your post surgical home nursing needs? Contact Nurse Registry. We provide licensed, private nurses who can stop by once a day, a few times a day or who can be scheduled around the clock, depending on the level of care you require.