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Many people from the Baby Boomer generation find themselves in what is known as the sandwich generation, where they are caring for both their children and their parents at the same time. Caring for your parents may put you in an uneasy situation, especially since your parents raised you. Baby Boomers often face decisions to ensure the best living arrangements for their parents. Many struggle to understand what their options are? Where do you begin to look for answers? Today, most people rely on the internet to find the information they need.
With a big decision like this that involves your parents, the first place to look for answers is to talk with them, assuming they are able to partake in the conversation. What do they want to do? Do they need immediate help or are they looking for a long term solution? One of the most important pieces to the puzzle is to get an understanding of their finances. Do your parents have a long term care insurance policy? Do they have a sizable nest egg and are they willing to spend their funds on the care they need? Can they afford to stay in their home or is a reverse mortgage an option? These are the answers you need as a starting point to see what care options you have. Keep in mind it has been shown that the loss of control over the decision to move can affect older adults satisfaction with services was well as their emotional well-being, so it is very important to keep your loved one included on the decision making process.
Some people believe if your loved ones are struggling to handle their daily activities you have only two options: have them move in with you or place your parents in an assisted living. Providing care for your parents in your own home may seem to be working out at the beginning, but can become complicated, an emotional nightmare and become an unexpected burden on the whole family. Loving your parent is quite different than living with them. But moving your parent into an assisted living facility may leave you feeling guilty and cause your parents to have feelings of resentment.
But we want to let you know, there is a third option: care in their home from local home care agencies. In-Home Care is an option that many people overlook or are unaware of. For those that have worked hard all their lives and have the financial means, in-home care can truly be the best option for everyone. Your parent gets to remain in their own home with comfortable surroundings and you can have peace of mind knowing their health and safety is being looked after.
In-home care can be provided for as little as one hour, one day a week, up to 24 hours, 7 days a week. Care can be provided by home care agencies or private caregivers. An agency is licensed, bonded and insured, but only agencies that hire caregivers as W2 employees make sure the caregiver in the home is also insured. Agencies with W2 caregivers are responsible for background screening, hiring, handling payroll, training their staff, AND supervision of your loved one and the caregiver.
Home care agencies can provide your loved one with assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL’s) such as meal preparation, medication reminders, housekeeping, and transportation. Or even provide companion care that improves their overall quality of life. Some agencies can also provide a Home Health Aide to assist with hands on activities of daily living (ADL’s) such as bathing, transferring, feeding and help with personal care in the bathroom. The best agencies will send out a case manager to meet with your parents, learn about their individual needs and develop a care plan which allows them to live independently with the right amount of help in the comfort of their own home. At the same time as an In-Home Consultation, a home safety review should be done to address any safety issues that need to be addressed to help prevent unexpected injuries and falls. Since your loved one’s needs can change quickly, the agency’s case manager should be checking in on your parents on a regular basis and revising and updating the plan of service as needed. At Comfort Keepers, we are unique in that we also have a Family Care Portal so approved family members can login, read and leave notes for staff, check caregiver schedules, and review invoices. This portal gives our clients the ability to be more involved in their parents care no matter where they live.
One of the most important aspects to look at when considering care is the cost. Depending on the need, in-home care can be much less expensive. Some things to look at would be:
Even in the worst case scenario, family and friends might handle some of the needed schedule and supplement with professional caregivers. Let’s look at some typical costs:
If you needed a Home Health Aide 3 hours 5 days a week. That would be 15 hours x $ 23/ hour = $345 a week or $1380 a month. Typical rates for Assisted Living Facilities in Sarasota average between $3000 and over $6000 for room and board depending on the room type and amount of care needed. If the person that is receiving care has a spouse, with In-Home care, a spouse is often cared for at no additional cost, but in some assisted living you may need to add more to the numbers above. New technology and monitoring systems can help to offset some of the needs of having a caregiver onsite. Technologies like medication dispensers, emergency monitors and telehealth systems which can alert a responsible party if there is something out of the ordinary. When making your decision, please keep in mind that in assisted living you don’t get one-on-one care. Often times you might be sharing a room.
The benefits of people remaining in their home are numerous. Keeping your loved one in the home they lived in for many years may lead to increased longevity. People with cognitive issues, like Alzheimer’s or dementia, typically do best in a familiar environment. Their homes are filled with fond memories of raising their children, having their grandchildren come for visits, family dinners and holidays.
As always, Comfort Keepers Sarasota stands ready to help your family with discussing the options. (941) 921-4747
Real Estate Agents are all alike.Realtors? Theyre a dime a dozen! and What do agents really do anyway?I do hear these comments, and it does bother me.Not for the reasons you think it bothers me because we individual agents havent done job number one: introducing ourselves to you and the market as a person, and as a professional. Im sure if you knew what each agents special sauce is youd think differently on that dime a dozen comment!In other words why should you use me as opposed to doing it yourself or choosing one of the more than 216,000 other licensed agents in Florida?Lets first address you DIYers when Greg and I moved from Spring Hill to Bradenton here in Florida, and even selling my home of 23 years in Alpharetta, GA I was a licensed agent, but not active. I didnt have access to the MLS, lockboxes, or contracts. I knew enough to pay an active practicing colleague for her valuable service, tools and support. Not only was she able to do background research on the property I was purchasing, but she was also a partner in the transaction and a sounding board in the negotiation process. Bottom line was that I knew I stood to lose way more than the percentage of the deal that I had agreed to pay her. I knew her knowledge, research and negotiation skills would net me a higher outcome than if I moved forward thinking I had all the answers (even being a licensed agent myself). You see, it was my own property, my investment, and I was like many buyers and sellers too close to the transaction to be 100% objective.So, lets say I just convinced you to partner with an agent. Who should you choose?As you might guess, Im here to make the case that not all agents are alike, and certainly not equal. What sets us apart is who we serve and how we do it. So you, as the consumer, need to be very clear about what your needs are and what you want to accomplish.So now youre thinking, Come on Jude how am I supposed to know those answers? I dont even know where to begin! When I get a call from someone like you just entering into the market I ask to meet them, preferably in person in a coffee shop or at their home. I like to spend a little time asking questions and getting to know their story, their vision, their desire, their situation. You see, knowing all of this seemingly extra stuff helps me guide, advise, and add value to their transaction.If you consider working with an agent to help you buy a property and she just jumps straight to yes, Ill show you that property you might want to rethink the relationship because she wont have the insight she needs to be of true service.Same with if youre looking for an agent to sell your property. If your first meeting with her is all about what she can do for you and what a stellar agent she is and she skips right over learning your needs wants, desires, time frame and goals then youll be working on her agenda, shell be flying blind, and thats a recipe for disaster.Bottom line as much as you need to vet the agent youre considering, make sure theyre curious about you. (Thats my tip for those of you dating, too!)LIFE CHANGES ARE HARD. HOME CHANGES DONT HAVE TO BE.
The respiratory system, like many of the other human systems (e.g., cardiovascular, digestive), is a wondrously complex and sophisticated arrangement of organs working together to maintain homeostasis.Contact an Office in Your AreaChronic obstructive pulmonary disease, more commonly referred to as COPD, is a health problem facing adults in the U.S. Because of its progressive nature and increased age as a leading factor, there is a greater prevalence of COPD in seniors. The good news is that many adults can easily reduce their risk of COPD through lifestyle management. COPD represents a group of lung diseases, with the two most common being emphysema and chronic bronchitis.Symptoms of COPD includeConstant coughingWheezingShortness of breathCoughing up mucusTightness in the chestResearch also suggests that there may be a link between poor air quality and COPD. The American Lung Association estimates that between 80-90% of COPD cases result from smoking. Unsurprisingly, secondhand smoke is a significant risk factor as well. Seniors should take the following steps to reduce their risk of COPD:Older adults that smoke should get support from a primary care physician and take steps to quit. There are many programs, services, and products that can help.Seniors should avoid contact with secondhand smoke whenever possible.Reducing exposure to air pollution can help relieve symptoms. Many cities issue poor air quality warnings when these warnings are in effect, seniors should limit outside activities. Seniors should avoid airborne irritants (chemicals, fumes, etc.) in the home.A healthy diet and exercise plan can improve lung function and overall health with direction from a physician.Older adults should understand the impact of aging on their respiratory system and reduce their risk of any related diseases, illnesses, or conditions.Doctors may recommend getting vaccinations for both influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia to guard against further breathing complications.Comfort Keepers Can HelpComfort Keepers elevates the human spirit for todays seniors and their families through a unique, individualized approach to care that helps seniors thrive and achieve greater wellbeing by fostering everyday positive moments, connection, and a more purposeful life no matter their age or acuity. As part of a healthcare team, an in-home caregiver can assist with activities that slow disease progression or reduce the risk for those with respiratory issues. Comfort Keepers caregivers can help by supporting physician-recommended health programs, preparing meals, encouraging prescribed physical activity, reminding seniors to take medications, and providing transportation to scheduled appointments. References:Healthline. Everything You Need to Know About Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Web. 2018.Everyday Health. 5 Best Ways to Prevent COPD by Chris Iliades, MD. Web. 2018.Aging Care. An Overview of COPD by National Institutes of Health. Web. 2017.Unity Point Health. The Top 8 Respiratory Illnesses and Diseases. Web. 2014.American Lung Association. Lung Capacity and Aging. Web. 2017.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Respiratory Disease. Web. 2017.
As seniors age, physical activities can have not only positive physical effects, but positive cognitive effects as well.Contact an Office in Your AreaIn one study, 100 nursing-home residents performed resistance exercises three times a week for 10 weeks. At the end, the exercise group could lift significantly more weight, climb more stairs, and walk faster and farther than their sedentary counterparts.Its been proven time and again that exercise is good for seniors physical and mental health. Regular exercise, even in small amounts, can improve mood, relieve stress and improve health. According to the CDC, four of the five most expensive health conditions older adults face can be prevented or managed with physical activity. But, only about 35% of adults over the age of 65 are physically active. Any senior starting a new exercise plan should consult with their physician. And, it is helpful for family and members of the care team to assist and support physical activity in any way they can. For those that are physically able to begin an exercise program, regular movement can help them live a more vibrant and healthy life. Some of the health benefits include:Improved mental health, mood and outlookPrevention, or improvement of, diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and osteoporosisReduced pain from arthritis and minimizing its severityDecreased risk of fallsEach individual has different needs when it comes to exercise and varying health conditions that may need to be taken into consideration before beginning an exercise regimen. A health professional to determine the best approach to physical activity with senior care.There are a variety of ways to incorporate aerobic activity, strength-building exercises, stretching and balance all without leaving the comfort of home! Aerobic exercise Walking in place, dancing or aerobic routines can help get the heart rate up. These activities improve cardiovascular health and help older adults maintain a healthy weight. Strength building exercises there are many easy strength-building exercises that can help seniors build the muscles they need to do everyday activities and prevent muscle loss. And, exercises can be done with household items or using body weight, so no expensive equipment is required. Stretching Stretching before and after exercise can help prevent soreness after exercise. And, the additional benefit is improved flexibility, which is good for older adults physical health. For those looking to improve their flexibility even more, there are exercise routines available online that include yoga or stretching routines specifically for seniors.Balance exercises Balance exercises help seniors prevent falls and improve mobility. Yoga, tai chi, and other low-impact activities can all help improve balance and overall physical health.Those that need a little assistance getting started should not hesitate to reach out to their doctor, family or caregiver. It is never too late to adopt an active lifestyle! Comfort Keepers Can HelpFor seniors that need a little extra help living an active lifestyle, Comfort Keepers caregivers can help with encouragement, support and assistance with physician-prescribed exercise plans. And, caregivers can encourage overall health through meal planning, grocery shopping, meal preparation and activities. Our custom care plans focus on physical and mental health and wellness activities. Our goal is to see that clients have the means to find the joy and happiness in each day, regardless of age or acuity.To learn more about our in-home care services, contact your local Comfort Keepers location today. ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. Adults Need More Physical Activity. Web. 2019.Health and Human Services. Facts & Statistics: Physical Activity. Web. 2017.National Council on Aging. Exercise Programs That Promote Senior Fitness. Web.Readers Digest Canada, 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors to Build Strength, Improve Balance and Boost Heart Health. Web. Harvard Health Publishing. Exercise after age 70. Web. 2007.