The Keys to Understanding Heart Failure and Home Health Care

Estate Plan Check-UpsEffective estate planning is personal, and its more than just deciding who to leave your assets to once you die.  Effective estate planning  is a comprehensive process that encompasses pre-need planning: health care decisions, financial management, and maintaining a delicate balance between independence and security.  Like your preventive doctor visits, you should regularly check in on your estate plan to ensure it fits your current needs, considers and plans for potential future care needs, and will give effect to your wishes now and in the future. Generally, estate planning involves creating a last will and testament, possibly a revocable trust, possibly an asset protection trust or a supplemental needs trust for a loved one who is unable to manage finances or may be vulnerable to abuse or exploitation.  Estate planning also involves important advanced directives, such as a durable financial power of attorney, a health care power of attorney, and a living will.   Creating an estate plan, or getting my affairs in order, tends to be an item on our to-do lists, for us to get done and move on to the next thing. However, while it may not be something you have to look at every month, or even every year, once your initial estate plan is completed, it is something that needs to be reviewed with some regularity.Most people get an annual physical when they are healthy, not when they are sick. They do this because they want to proactively spot any issues that could cause them to become ill in the future. The same concept can and should be applied when it comes to reviewing and updating your estate plan. Your estate plan may be healthy now, but you want to make sure that it stays that way by checking it regularly, to ensure it fits your needs and family circumstances, protects and provides for you now, and  accomplishes your goals and wishes in the future. Editors Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice.  This article was submitted by Ashley Day, Esq.  Ashley Day Law, LLC.  Reach her at 251-277-3377. 

Greetings,In our last bi-monthly newsletter, I mentioned we had nominated one of our caregivers Jane, as the Caregiver of the Year for Visiting Angels nationwide. We were notified at the end of January, she was selected to move onto Round 2 of nominations! This round, we must submit video testimonials about Jane from the client, family members, office staff, and our owner Karen. By the time you read this, we will have submitted the video testimonials and will hear back by March 21st if Jane is a semi-finalist for this prestigious award. The winner of this years Caregiver of the Year award will be announced at the Visiting Angels 26th Annual Conference being held in June and will receive $5,000. There are many team members deserving of consideration for Caregiver of the Year, yet Janes exceptional qualities really stand out. Id like to share an excerpt from the written nominations highlighting Janes contribution.Jane has worked with our team for almost three years. She is dedicated to her work and committed to her clients. She is always on time and never calls out, no matter the weather conditions. The dignity of those in her care is a top priority for Jane while maintaining a positive attitude. Shes willing to go-with-the-flow in any circumstance. For example, when her client resists wearing oxygen and doesnt remember why they need to wear it, Jane knows how to navigate the situation with grace and patience. On the other hand, she holds her ground with difficult clients, and even though it may be uncomfortable, she handles it with respect and kindness.Nominating a caregiver of the year is not just a process, its an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary dedication and compassion of someone whose role is to serve others. Being a part of this journey of recognition has been rewarding because it highlights the invaluable contributions of caregivers nationwide and the importance of acknowledging their efforts. Its been a reminder of the power of appreciation and the significance of recognizing individuals who demonstrate excellence in their work. Im pleased to be a part of a nationally known and locally owned company, like Visiting Angels, who understands the importance and joy of recognizing others. In the end, nominating a caregiver is about acknowledging the countless acts of kindness and the immeasurable impact caregivers have on the lives of others. Whether or not Jane wins nationwide, she is our Visiting Angels of Medford, MA Caregiver of the Year 2023, and that is something to celebrate! I look forward to giving you another update regarding the award in May. All for now,Abby

The landscape of senior care is bracing for a storm. Over the next five years, the sectors of home care and assisted living will face severe headwinds, each for reasons as varied as they are challenging. These obstacles have the potential to reshape the industry and open up opportunities for alternative models like adult day services to thrive.Lets delve into the converging fronts that are forming this perfect storm.Home Care: A Perfect Storm BrewingThe home care industry, which has long stood as a bastion of personalized elderly care, is facing a staffing crisis. This challenge is not merely a forecast but a present reality. A significant driver of this shortage is the tightening of immigration policies.Historically, the home care workforce has been bolstered by immigrants, who often fill these vital roles. However, restrictive immigration laws are rapidly reducing this labor pool, leaving agencies scrambling to find caregivers.In addition, the home care model itself is inherently inefficient and expensive due to its one-on-one nature. While personalized care is highly beneficial for the recipient, its also labor-intensive and does not scale economically.As the costs of providing services rise, so too does the price for consumers, which is exacerbated by the current inflationary environment. Consequently, home care is becoming less accessible for the average family, with costs soaring beyond the reach of many.Assisted Living: The Constraining Grip of EconomicsOn the other side of the spectrum, assisted living facilities, which offer a middle ground between independence and nursing homes, are also in turmoil. New development, which has been the lifeblood of the industrys growth, is coming to a halt.This stagnation is attributed to inflationary pressures, which increase the cost of construction materials and labor, squeezing the margins of developers.Moreover, the rise in interest rates, as a measure to combat inflation, has a two-fold effect: it makes borrowing more expensive for new developments and acquisitions, and it decreases the affordability of these facilities for consumers.With higher costs to finance the development of new facilities, the prices are passed along to residents, many of whom are on fixed incomes and may not be able to afford increased costs.Adult Day Services: The Emerging ContenderIn the wake of these industry hardships, adult day services are positioned to disrupt the status quo. These services offer a compelling model that provides social interaction, care, and supervision during the day, allowing seniors to return to their homes in the evening.This model addresses several pain points of the current care options.Firstly, adult day services are more cost-effective. They do not require around-the-clock staffing or the high overhead associated with maintaining full residential facilities.Secondly, they are less labor-intensive on a per capita basis, mitigating the severity of the staffing crisis facing home care.Furthermore, adult day services can be an attractive option for seniors and their families who are seeking community engagement and medical oversight without relinquishing the comfort of home.The flexibility and lower costs can appeal to a broad range of seniors, making these services a growth sector in an otherwise constrained industry.Charting a New CourseAs the tides rise against home care and assisted living, innovative care models like adult day services may offer a safe harbor for the industry. By providing a more economical and scalable solution, they could potentially address the needs of a growing senior population amid the financial and logistical constraints facing other care options.Stakeholders in the senior care industry must navigate these headwinds with foresight and agility. Those who can adapt and diversify their offerings to include models like adult day services will likely weather the storm ahead.For families, these changes will require a careful consideration of the evolving landscape to make the best decisions for their loved ones.As the clouds gather, it is clear that the industry must prepare for change.The next five years will undoubtedly bring transformation, and within it, the opportunity to reimagine the future of senior care.