Taking care of elderly parents: how to assess your loved ones’ needs this holiday season
Going home for the holidays is a great opportunity for those taking care of elderly parents to assess their loved ones' needs and make plans for the future.
By Collen Van Horn, RN, B.S.N., PHN, CCM
The holidays are a wonderful time to come together with family and friends young and old. But for adult children taking care of elderly parents, the holiday season also presents a prime opportunity to assess loved ones’ needs – and to keep an eye out for signs of mental or physical decline. A recent report in the Wall Street Journal suggests the following tips for taking stock of your parents’ health – and recommends that, if faced with dementia or Alzheimer’s symptoms or signs of waning physical health, family members contact a professional geriatric care manager to get help creating a customized care plan.
1. Medical needs
Get a sense of your aging parents’ physical and mental health, either by accompanying them to doctor’s appointments or requesting their permission to review medical records. Consider a consultation or full assessment with a geriatric care manager to go over possible health risks and lifestyle adjustments.
2. Financial benefits
Do some research to find out whether or not your parents are eligible for any benefits or discount programs to help offset medical care and prescription drug costs. Also, look in to programs for veterans and their families, and find out if any of your own employee benefits cover senior care costs for aging family members.
3. Medicare and Medicaid
Make sure you know what is and isn’t covered by Medicare and Medicaid, and determine whether or not your parents possess any assets that may impact their eligibility. Medicare does not cover long-term healthcare costs like assisted living, but experienced geriatric care managers can help you figure out affordable alternatives.
4. Hospice care
Remember to find out whether or not local assisted living facilities offer hospice care, or if such care is available on an in-home basis in your parents’ area. Discuss alternatives with a geriatric care manager.
Planning for eldercare can be a daunting task; but with help from the geriatric care management professionals at Innovative Healthcare Consultants, you don’t have to do it alone. To learn more about senior caregiving resources and benefit programs in the San Diego area, contact us today. Visit www.innovativehc.com.
Related posts:
- Election 2012: amidst political uncertainty, geriatric care managers offer alternatives for planning senior health care services
- Celebrate care giving for National Geriatric Care Managers Month
- Senior long-term care insurance: planning ahead for elder care in San Diego
- Home for the holidays: tips for talking to aging parents about changing health and wellness needs
- When caring for your aging parents, maximize resources to minimize relationship stress
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Posted by Social Media Staff
on Nov 23, 2012. Filed under Colleen Van Horn, Columns, Sponsored Columns.
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