The Next Step for Mom or Dad

GrandFriends Adult Day Program Provides Compassionate Care for Adults Living with Dementia The Grandfriends Adult Day Program, housed within the Via Health, Fitness and Enrichment Center, is an adult day program for adults living with dementia. Our mission is to provide older adults who need supervision and daily care with opportunities to stay mentally and physically healthy and avoid being placed in a nursing home. Last year we were approved as a provider through the Department of Veteran Affairs Community Care Network. This means veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system are now eligible for adult day care services at Via at no cost to them through their VA benefits.Adult day programs promote improved health by offering older adults a place to go each day to receive care, nutritious meals, mental and physical stimulation, and companionship. Benefits to seniors in adult daycare include:         Helps preserve independence.         Provides an opportunity to socialize, resulting in increased alertness and activity.         Activities provide more structure, giving older adults something to anticipate and look forward to.         Physical exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety, improves stamina, health and balance and improves sleep. Caring for loved ones with dementia while managing work and family obligations is challenging. GrandFriends provides respite, allowing caregivers to continue life knowing their loved one is in a safe and caring environment. The program provides health and socialization benefits to clients living with dementia, including group fitness activities, games and activities that stimulate mental health, and socialization with peers.The program runs Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. to accommodate the work schedule of caregivers. The cost is $55 a day for one day a week or $50 a day for two or more days. This fee covers breakfast, lunch, and snacks, as well as most activity supplies. Transportation to and from the program within a 15-mile radius of The Via Center which is is also available at $3.00 for a one-way trip.The Via Center is centrally located at 1717 Dauphin Street in Mobile, Alabama. To schedule a tour and assessment of your loved one, contact our GrandFriends Supervisor, Christy Harvison, at 251-470-5228 or charvison@viamobile.org.

As seniors grow older, their circle of friends, acquaintances, and even family draws tighter especially if their health or other circumstances prevents them from getting out as much as they did previously. For the senior caregiver, the world also tends to become smaller, as a significant amount of their time is dedicated to the needs of their loved one at the expense of personal pursuits. The needs of seniors and the responsibilities of caregivers grow and change over time, but what can remain constant is the support networks available to provide assistance.While there are many wonderful resources available at the state and national level including the Caregiver Action Network (CAN), Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA), and others, Senior LIFE through its LIFE Health and Wellness Centers provides a broad range of customized services that encompass both the health & wellness and emotional/social support needs of seniors and their family caregivers alike.As a uniquely structured and positioned entity in the senior healthcare space, Senior LIFE offers eligible participants access to local LIFE Health and Wellness Centers. These centers, which function similarly to a senior center but with the added benefit of providing comprehensive healthcare through an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals including doctors, nurses, therapists, and others, are warm and inviting places where seniors can socialize, receive hot meals, and freely interact within a vibrant community of their own.Program participants are given access to a dedicated social worker who helps manage and coordinate care while also addressing emotional, family, and social needs. Senior LIFE social workers serve as a trusted liaison for caregivers who they communicate with regularly. Social workers are also able to connect you with additional resources within your community, as well as provide family support and individual counseling.Senior LIFEs array of in-home care services also work to expand the caregiver network into a senior participants home, which can give family caregivers a much needed respite and peace of mind in knowing that their loved one is in good hands and someone is checking in during the day. In-home care can include compassionate personal care services designed to help seniors maintain independence and dignity. These services include help with dressing, toileting, showering or bathing, grooming, light housekeeping, and more.At Senior LIFE, we believe that living independently doesnt mean you have to go it alone. Part of our core mission of keeping seniors in their homes entails creating meaningful and productive connections that foster community for both the senior participant and the family caregiver. To learn more, visit us at www.SeniorLIFEPA.com or call 1-877-998-LIFE (5433).

What You Have HeardAsk yourself, was the info you heard from a Certified Medicaid Planner?Medicaid Misconception #1 - You can only have $2,000.FACTSSingle applicants have a resource limit of $2,000. (in 2024) A married applicant has a resource limit of about $150,000. (in 2024)Medicaid Misconception #2 - Your home will be taken from you if you are on Medicaid.FACTSAll applicants are allowed to have 1 home and 1 car. There are ways to avoid Medicaid estate recovery, an applicant can receive Medicaid and keep their home.Medicaid Misconception #3 - You make too much money.FACTS If you are over the income limit, Beneficent can provide the legal steps using the Medicaid code to bypass being over the income limit.Medicaid Misconception #4 - You must spend down to $2,000 to qualify for Medicaid.FACTSThis is an option, however not your only option. If you want to preserve the hard-earned assets you or your loved one has worked their entire life, you can!Medicaid Misconception #5 - Why doesnt everyone apply for Long-term Care Medicaid if the other outcome statements are true?FACTSMany are deceived by misinformation and preconceived notions. There's a game-changer you need to know about - Certified Medicaid Planners (CMP) - we know the rules and regulations.You can find all the CMPs in the United States here, (https://cmpboard.org/locate-a-cmp/)  there arent too many of us! Need to schedule an appointment with one of our Certified Medicaid Planners at Beneficent? Book here (https://calendly.com/doinggoodforothers) or call our office (719.645.8350) for more appointment times.