Resources For Aging Well

Intergenerational programming is one of the most rewarding and positive experiences for all who are involved. Elders love seeing and interacting with the children, and younger generations can learn valuable life lessons from our Elders. In traditional settings, these interactions would take place in family gatherings where relatives visit the Elders, and they would see their grandchildren and great grandchildren which allows them to remain as an integral part of family and overall community. Meaningful interaction and socialization contribute immensely to well-being and positive mental health in older adults. Long-term care communities strive to maintain the important connection between the generations through unique opportunities with activities and programs. Summer camps or school service volunteer programs occur in nursing homes so that Elders can enjoy socializing with children and participate in group activities together. More specific interventions such as art and music therapy groups, where Elders can pair up with a junior volunteer or a child to build relationships and participate in artmaking and music playing, are some of the popular non-pharmaceutical interventions that bring myriads of benefits such as decrease in physical pain, depression, and loneliness, as well as an increase in confidence and self-esteem. Social integration between Elders and younger generations promotes overall strength and unity in our communities.              While it has been difficult to navigate through the pandemic to maintain these intergenerational opportunities due to limited visitation, utilizing technology for video communication allows connections between the Elders and younger generations. Many virtual communication and activity options are explored constantly, ensuring these valuable relationships continue to thrive.  Editors Note: This article was submitted by San Baek, the Director of Resident Life at Shalom Park Nursing Home. San may be reached at 303-680-5000 or by email at San.Baek@shalompark.net.

Searching for a senior living community can be overwhelming. With 700 senior living options in Colorado, you may be wondering where to even begin!  But did you know there are local experts that specialize in helping families find appropriate senior living options?  You may worry that using an expert will be expensive. The good news is that placement agents generally do not charge a fee as they are most often compensated by the community you select. What to look for in a local professional placement agent? An agent who meets with you and/or your loved one in-person  Assesses your care needs, budget, location, and social needs Vets the appropriate communities for their quality of care  Is willing to walk beside you through the entire process The benefits of using a local placement agent: A local agent narrows down your best options They alleviate the chore of making dozens of phone calls to communities that may not fit your needs A local agent tours the communities with you and helps ask the right questions They act as a neutral party during the decision making A local agent can also connect you with vital resources to help with a smooth transition We understand that organizing the search for senior living can take a considerable amount of time and research. A local GDPRA agent will walk beside you through this journey, narrow your search and help you find the appropriate senior living community. The Greater Denver Placement and Referral Alliance (GDPRA) was created in 2018 to educate the public about professional placement agents. GDPRA agents provide hands-on assistance for your unique situation while adhering to best practices and a code of ethics. Working with a local GDPRA agent offers you peace of mind with the knowledge that you are working with a true professional.  If you would like to work with a local GDPRA placement agent, please contact denver@npralliance.org or call 720-961-9799.

Does your agency utilize an existing VA benefit called Aid & Attendance?  Some agencies offer help to Veterans but its mostly just gathering paperwork necessary for the A&A... and thats it!  Care typically doesnt start until the VA pays the client, which can take months with agencies unfamiliar with the process.  If you call an agency and they dont know anything about the A&A benefit OR they do offer it and/or it takes longer than 2-4 weeks to START care move on!  Instead, try and find an agency that understands the complexity of the A&A, can start care within 2-4 weeks and has no hidden costs to get started. Do you have experienced VA Accredited Agents within your office to help with this process?  Some agencies will outsource this critical step to local Attorneys or Financial Planners that may have accreditation, but the A&A benefit is just one of many products they offer. Find an agency that has VA Accredited Agents on their team that are dedicated and focused only on capturing the A&A benefit and offer no other products or services.Are there any upfront costs?  Again, some agencies work through an Attorney or a Financial Planner that technically can help you with this process; however, they have creative ways of collecting payment for other services so they can get paid up to an estimated $500 or more.  Instead, try and find a Veteran-dedicated agency that offers this at NO COST OR RISK for those who apply.   How long will it take before I can start care?  Most agencies dont start care immediately simply because they dont have the funds available to absorb the cost of labor for weeks or even months waiting on the VA to begin payment.  So, they will process the paperwork and make you wait until the VA releases the funds.  Try and find an agency that starts care within 2-4 weeks with no costs upfront and that offers a complete Veterans Program   Editors Note: This article was submitted by Steve Lee, Founder of Free Home Care for Vets, a non-medical home care agency dedicated to Veterans, Spouses and their Widows/ers.  He can be reached at 303-376-3488 or by email at: steve@curantishealth.com to learn more. 

70% of applicants applying for LTC Medicaid on their own are denied due to inaccurate information. Here in Colorado, the average cost for LTC is $8,758 per month according to 2020 state information. However, there are solutions for how to pay for the high costs of LTC that protect income and assets. Based on the statistics above there is a huge need for services that help people navigate the LTC Medicaid application. A Medicaid planning agency can educate on the financial programs available and expose the plethora of inaccurate LTC Medicaid information.  Most Colorado Seniors who need help paying for LTC feel they will not qualify for Medicaid because they have too much income or assets. Some Seniors believe they must spend down (myth #1).  In reality, many could qualify if they had the information from a knowledgeable professional, holding a Certified Medicaid Planner (CMP) designation. A CMP assists and educates on how to meet all qualifications, and can provide numerous opportunities to protect income and assets!  Editors Note:  This article was written by Stacy Osborne, MBA CMP with Beneficent.  She can be reached by phone at 719 645-8350 or by email @info@doinggoodforothers.com.