08.24.10
Posted in Nursing home at 11:49 am by admin
Placing a loved one in a skilled nursing facility can never be an easy decision. Many middle aged sons and daughters swear off nursing homes altogether, promising that they will never make that choice for their parents. But then something happens: a diagnosis. A fall. A stroke. And suddenly the unthinkable becomes the most loving option.
So what do you do if you are that family member? How do you make the best decision for your loved one? First, follow these two rules:
1) Research as much as you can
2) Experience it yourself and trust your gut!
Researching Nursing Homes
More than one and a half million Americans are nursing home patients. Nine out of ten of those are over sixty-five. Typically, residents need around the clock supervision, especially medical care. Unfortunately, many facilities have treated these senior citizens as if they are already dead! Rather than engaging and caring for their patients, these workers have babysat them.
There have been many high profile cases and undercover investigations of senior abuse and neglect in some nursing homes. And as ugly as those things are, there has been a silver lining: facilities have more public awareness and government oversight to answer to. The family of a patient now holds more power than ever before.
That power begins with doing research. Thanks to the power of the internet, and the freedom of information act, a family member can now look into past complaints, accusations, and lawsuits that have taken place at a given nursing home. They can follow a trail of smoke in order to avoid the fire. After all, who wants to put their loved one in a situation with a terrible history.
It’s easy to get started with research.
Medicare’s website allows you to view inspection reports and overall nursing home ratings so you can compare homes in your area. And you won’t have dig for information, either. These reports are detailed and specific.
Another great resource is FreeNursingHomeReports.com. On this site, you can search for nursing homes by city or county, read pertinent, and best of all, read the reviews and experiences from other individuals who have been involved with them in the past. There is nothing quite like a human testimonial to paint a picture of reality, either positive or negative.
Experiencing A Nursing Home Yourself
Once you have done pertinent research on the internet about the facilities in your area, you should be able to narrow down your choices significantly. When you factor in a facility’s reputation, cost, amenities and location, you will probably have a short list of possibilities. Now is the time to go and visit.
Do you schedule an event? I wouldn’t. Not at first anyway. Eventually you are going to need details, but for now, you need to have a gut check. Go ahead and drop in on the facility and take a stroll. What do you see? What do you hear? What does it smell like? Are patients being cared for? Do they appear happy? Why not strike up a conversation with a few patients and ask them how they like it? And after you’re there for a while, how do you feel? Is this a place you feel comfortable leaving your loved one?
If not, then cross it off your list. Chalk it up to Family Intuition. You remember mother’s intuition, right? Well, this is the same thing. If you are feeling uneasy and untrusting for some inexplicable reason, don’t ignore that. You have other homes on your list. Go check them out. This one will likely not work. Trust your gut.
Once you have made some unscheduled visits to some nursing homes that did not scare you, it’s good to go visit them again, this time with an appointment. This time, come armed with a list of questions and fire away. Nothing is off the table, so ask away. Financial concerns, medical issues, care concerns, everything. This is your family you are talking about. Don’t let them forget it!
The nursing home transition is probably never going to be pleasant, but it can, at least, be the right decision. it can be the kind experience you look back on with confidence, knowing you did the right thing in a tough situation. And you really can choose the right nursing home, if you do your research and trust your gut.
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08.13.10
Posted in Nursing home, Nursing home alternative at 9:12 am by admin
In today’s tough economy, many seniors and their families are looking for affordable senior housing. The section 202 program, implemented by the US Government, is designed to increase affordable senior housing in an attempt to meet the growing demand. This type of housing may be right for the senior who is 65 or older and still able to be independent, but not able to sustain mortgage or rent payments on a fixed or low income.
Section 202 housing is run by non-profit organizations who receive funding from the US Government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The total cost of living in these facilities is based on the individual’s income. These facilities usually also provide support services to senior residents such as community meals, housekeeping, and transportation. Services offered will vary by site.
Begin Your Search
Perhaps the most helpful tool in searching for section 202 housing is the Department of Housing and Urban Development website (http://www.hud.gov/apps/section8/index.cfm) which lists all section 202 housing facilities across the nation. Your first step is to decide where you would like to live, whether you want to stay in the same area or move someplace new. Plug in the location information to the HUD website, and it will provide a listing of all facilities in your chosen location.
Narrowing Your List
Once you have a list of housing locations ready, begin calling each facility and ask the following:
1. Is your facility still a part of the section 202 program?
The facilities and non-profit organizations running them must meet requirement to maintain their 202 status and receive government funding, so always check to make sure they are still actively a part of the section 2020 program. If the answer is yes, continue to #2. If no, continue to the next location on your list.
2. Do you have any vacancies?
Section 202 housing is in high demand, so if you do find a vacancy, you will want to follow up on it right away since housing cannot be held open for you until you make your final decision. Scheduling an appointment as soon as possible to visit the facility immediately and asking what type of information will be necessary to bring with you will show the agency you are truly interested. If there are no vacancies in your preferred location, you may ask to be added to their waiting list.
3. What type of housing is available?
If handicap accessibility is required, be sure to ask specifically about it. Again because of the high demand for affordable senior housing, you may not be able to be too choosy about the type of housing and exact location. Vacancies are usually snapped up quickly.
4. Do I need to make an appointment to view the facility?
Setting an appointment or making a visit as soon as possible is advisable since the vacancy may be filled up quickly.
5. What do I need to bring in order to complete my application?
Section 202 housing requires residents to fill out an application and to show proof of low-income (pay stub or Social Security statement), proof of medical expenses (pharmacy or medical bills), proof of ability to live independently (a note from your doctor), and references from previous landlords. Make multiple copies of each of these documents if you are applying to several facilities.
It’s always a good idea to involve a friend or family member in the process of finding appropriate senior housing. In addition, there are HUD representatives available to tell you more about affordable senior housing and the section 202 program.
Because finding a vacancy in 202 housing is a challenge, it’s better to start your search earlier rather than later. Placing your name on waiting lists or securing a spot before your income runs out is of course advisable. With a little persistence, you can find affordable housing.
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08.04.10
Posted in Home Health Care, Insurance, Nursing home, Nursing home alternative at 4:00 pm by admin
American seniors who are financially savvy no longer keep their money in a sock under the mattress as in days gone by, but with a shaky economy, some may wonder if their hard-earned money’s still safe in the bank. My grandmother was one of those savvy seniors. She made it through the Great Depression without losing her shirt. Her advice rings in my ears now, “Divide up your assets in a variety of banks and investments, and make sure your bank is FDIC insured.“
I believe my grandmother’s advice still rings true. Here are a few things senior citizens should know about FDIC insurance.
FDIC insured banks give their customers a guaranteed peace of mind that their hard-earned dollars will be safe in case of economic crisis that would cause the bank to fail. The FDIC has temporarily raised its maximum insured amount per depositor from $100,000 to $250,000 until January 1, 2014 when all account categories except IRAs and certain other retirement accounts will return to the previous maximum of $100,000.
This means that if you and your family has less than the maximum in all of your deposit accounts at the same FDIC insured bank, your money is fully insured. And if you have accounts in different insured banks, each bank insures those accounts up to the maximum. Meaning? Make sure your funds don’t exceed that maximum in any one bank. Divide your money into separately chartered banks, because each bank is separately insured. Your funds are fully insured by each bank up to the maximum even if the banks are affiliated (belong to the same parent company).
It’s possible that you may qualify for more than the maximum coverage (currently $250,000) at one insured bank if you have deposit accounts in different ownership categories. The most common consumer account categories are single ownership accounts, joint ownership accounts, self-directed retirement accounts (IRAs and Keogh accounts for which you choose how and where the money is deposited), and revocable trust accounts (the funds in this account pass to one or more named beneficiaries when the account owner dies). Deposits in different ownership categories are also separately insured. So rather than dividing funds among different banks, you could simply separate funds into different accounts that have separate ownership categories. So your single ownership account that exceeds the maximum coverage could be split off into another account or trust in the same bank that falls under a different ownership category. For example, you could funnel some of your funds into an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) or open a joint account with your spouse or another family member.
A reduction of FDIC insurance coverage is possible in the case of a death or divorce in the family. This means that if two people own a joint account and one dies, the surviving owner might need to restructure his accounts so that he doesn’t exceed the maximum limit as the owner of two single ownership accounts within the same insured bank. The FDIC rules allow a 6-month grace period after a depositor’s death to give survivors or estate executives time to restructure accounts. But once the 6 months are over, you run the risk of having funds that are no longer insured by your bank. Also, check with your bank if you have a trust account, because for certain trust accounts, there is no grace period in the event of a beneficiary’s death or divorce.
Bank failures are fortunately fairly rare in this day and age, largely due to the strict financial strength and stability requirements for banking institutions to qualify as an FDIC insured institution. But in the rare instances of FDIC insured bank failure, no depositor has lost even a penny of FDIC-insured funds. If your bank did happen to go under, FDIC insurance would cover your deposit accounts completely including principal and accrued interest up to the maximum covered. If you did have deposits exceeding the maximum covered, you still might be able to recover some, or rarely, all of your uninsured funds. But this is usually a risk not worth taking.
In the unlikely event your bank does fail, the FDIC would issue payment promptly to you, the depositor, usually within a few days, and often by the next business day after your bank closes. Some competing insurance agencies have spread rumors that the FDIC doesn’t have adequate reserves to make payouts or that it takes years to make payments to insured depositors. This simply isn’t true. Recently the FDIC has increased its premiums for insured banks to ensure adequate reserves if there should be wide-spread bank failures.
Ultimately it is up to you to know what accounts and funds are insured by your bank, so ask! In economically unstable times, your best defense is to be aware and to make sure your hard-earned savings are protected.
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12.01.09
Posted in Nursing home at 11:57 pm by admin
A Nursing Home is already a lonely place, so imagine how much more
lonely it can be around the holiday season? For seniors who have no
family close by, it can be the most depressing time of year. But there
are things you can do to help.
1) Go for a visit. This is obvious, and certainly not everyone will be
able to do this. But remember that above all, your loved one wants to
be with family and friends. Do not underestimate the power of your own
presence in his or her life. You might not think you are very special,
but Grandma sure does!
2) Send notes! Do not just send a regular Christmas card and leave it
there. Everybody sends those. Show her how special she is by hand-
writing cards for her. That is Cards–plural! If you send multiple
letters, it will give her a better feel that you have not forgotten
her. Tell her the details of your life. Even mundane things will
probably be of great interest. Tell about the kids, about how they are
preparing for Christmas. Have them hand-write a message, or draw a
picture especially for her.
3) Give a meaningful gift. In
Texas nursing homes, gifts can be especially
tricky. Residents have limited space. Their laundry is done in masse,
so things easily get lost. And they do not have a whole lot of
privacy. So what can you give? How about something especially
meaningful and personalized like a Potobook or personalized picture
calendar? If you take lots of pictures of the kids, and if you have
some good ones, you can easily order a surprisingly nice personalized
gift through most online services. Photobucket, Shutterfly, and
Snapfish are three of the most common. I prefer Apple’s iPhoto. Each
of these services will easily guide you through a step-by-step process
of plugging your picture into an attractive template and ordering the
product. This is an inexpensive option as well. You can probably order
a calendar for under $20.00. My wife and I ordered calendars featuring
our children for both of our parents years ago, and they loved it. And
they weren’t even in an nursing home, so imagine how much more someone
isolated would enjoy it!
4) Call! Make sure you carve out a good time to talk with your loved
one. It might seem boring for your family, but the sound of your
voices can mean the world to someone who has not seen them in ages.
In short, make your loved one a part of the holiday festivities as
best as you can. Keep them well informed through phone calls, notes
and gifts. That personal touch will do more to warm their hearts than
any old present could!
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01.19.09
Posted in Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Assisted Living Referral Service, Assisted Living Safety, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Nursing home, Nursing home alternative, Senior Citizen, Taking Care of a Loved One, Texas Elderly Care Services at 12:03 am by admin
Finding elderly care in your area is quite difficult because facilities can be deceiving. When you arrive at an elderly care facility try to look past the fancy looking lobby and dining room chandelier. Watch how the workers are treating the residents, what kind of food is being served, and ask many questions about the care packages that they offer (bring a copy of our chart off our blog titled “Elderly Care Facilities Choice and Comparison”). Write down what they promise and keep any brochures. If you find an elderly care facility that seems to be what you are looking for, you can request a copy of the state inspection from D.A.D.S. (Department of Aging and Disability Services). According to chapter 552 of the Texas Government code you can request certain records as they should be open to the public. Also when looking for an elderly care facility for a loved one keep his or her interests in mind. Does he or she have a friend that lives at a nearby facility? Does he or she like gardens or activities? Does he or she want you to be close by to visit often? Good luck on your search for the right elderly care.
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12.18.08
Posted in Advertising, Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Assisted Living Referral Service, Dialysis Assisted Living, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Home Health Care, Marketing, Nursing home, Texas Elderly Care Services, care at home at 2:32 pm by admin
We have a comprehensive list of all the Houston elder care businesses and elder care services, and elderly care facilities in the Harric County and Fort Bend county areas. You can search by keyword in the elderly care directory below to find the type of elder care facility you are looking for. For instance, Assisted Living Type A facilities are for elderly people that can still take care of most of their daily needs and routines but would like the convenience of laundry service, meals, house cleaning, and activities. The type of facilities get progressively more specific like alzheimers care facilities, nursing homes, kidney dialysis assisted living in Houston and more. Browse or search our directory below.
Houston Elder Care Directory
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08.29.08
Posted in Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Home Health Care, Nursing home, Taking Care of a Loved One at 11:00 am by admin
Facing Death is a fearful thing and it is important that the family and friends are around. If you have a loved one that is facing death be there for that person. Don’t withdraw yourself. Talk to him or her no matter how fearful or awkward it is. Even if it appears that he doesn’t understand you. Keep him comfortable. He may need help turning in bed and getting comfortable. Help him. Don’t leave him alone unless he is getting overwhelmed with visitors. Give him a chance to say what he wants to say. Tell him what you need to tell him, whether it’s getting something off your chest or sharing God’s love and salvation with him. No matter how long he has been in your life if you have not shared Christ with him now is the time. Do it before it is too late.
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07.28.08
Posted in Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Assisted Living Safety, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Nursing home, Nursing home alternative, Senior Citizen, Taking Care of a Loved One, Texas Elderly Care Services at 1:01 pm by admin
So you put your parent in an assisted living facility. You purchase a care package that provides the amount of care that your parent needs. You see your parent quickly declining and you wonder if the facility is providing the care they say they are. You can be sure of it with a hidden camera. You can purchase a nanny camera then set it up at the far wall of your parents room facing the door. You can watch the tapes and see how often a care taker enters the room and how long they stay.
If you can’t afford a nanny camera, you can show up unannounced to visit your parent and look around the room for dirty clothes, see if the bed is fixed, check the soap in the shower and depends to make sure they are being used up. Keep the assisted living facility in check. You purchased a care package and they must provide it, no excuses.
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05.29.08
Posted in Alzheimer's Disease, Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Assisted Living Referral Service, Assisted Living Safety, Caregiver, Depression, Dimentia, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Home Health Care, Nursing home, Nursing home alternative, Senior Citizen, Taking Care of a Loved One, Texas Elderly Care Services, care at home, dementia, forgetting to take medication at 6:05 pm by admin
Do your mother and/or father need to be moved from home to an assisted living? Do they need to be moved from an assisted living to a nursing home? Or are they at a facility that you are not happy with? Moving your parents can be the best thing that you can do for them, but it can also be the worst thing.
Moving is a dramatic change for an elderly person, especially one with Alzheimer’s disease. A move from home to a nursing home may be the best option but look into getting care at home. Moving can confuse and depress an elderly person. If your mother or father is able to, let him or her be a part of the decision.
When an elderly person is familiar with a facility or the staff at one assisted living or nursing home it’s usually best to keep him there. An elderly person is more likely to willingly receive care and feel comfortable with care attendants and nurses that he or she knows as opposed to a stranger. Also when elderly people are familiar with a facility, such as knowing where the dining room, medicine, activities, and their apartment is, they are usually emotionally stable longer than if they are moved from facility to facility and getting disoriented and confused.
However, when you see your loved one needing more care than what the facility gives, you need to act quickly. There are nurses that come to where your parent is and give care to him. Some facilities have care packages that start at minimal care (such as reminders to come to meals and take medicine) and maximum care packages (such as bathing, transferring from bed to wheelchair and feeding). If the facility that your loved one is does not offer more care and getting a nurse to come and care for him or her is not an option you should not leave him or her there, moving would be a must in that situation.
If your parents are at a facility and you are not happy with the care that they are receiving, talk to the management about your complaints. They may not be aware that your parent is being neglected. Also talk with the care staff and let them know that you care about your parents and want the best care for them. Politely tell the care staff your complaints (i.e. moms hair needs to be brushed, I noticed dad lost his dentures). Visit your parents often. Keep the care staff accountable by making visits at different times of the day or maybe spend a night there if possible. If the quality of care still does not improve make a complaint to DADS (Department of Aging and Disabilities Services) and move your parents to a more quality facility.
Most importantly make sure your parent is taken good care of and is happy.
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Posted in Assisted Living, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Nursing home, Retirement, Senior Citizen, Taking Care of a Loved One, Texas Elderly Care Services, care at home at 2:00 pm by admin
Lite-Up Texas is a government service that helps low income citizens or those on Medicaid reduce their electric bill. If you are currently receiving Medicaid, food stamps, or if your household income is 125% below the federal poverty guidelines (i.e. $13,000 for 1 resident, $17,500 for 2) then you qualify to receive the Lite-Up Texas discounts.
Many elderly citizens choose Lite-Up Texas to help them get through the costly monthly summer electric bills. With Lite-Up Texas you still have a choice to pick from any electric provider if you are in a deregulated county. So you don’t have to switch electric providers if you do not wish to or you can switch to a low cost electric provider and still get a discount with Lite-Up Texas.
With electric prices on the rise choosing Lite-Up Texas is not a bad idea for you or your loved one. Stay cool and have an affordable summer!
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