Meet Charlie and Fran. They have three children, 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren so far! They have hopes and dreams for their future generations and have worked hard to ensure their legacy is passed on. As they age, they realize that if either one of them needs Long-term Care, that their property and other assets could be at risk. They need accurate information they can trust so that if Long-term Care needs come on suddenly, they are prepared and able to protect their assets.It is estimated that over 70% of people over 65 will need some type of Long-term Care (LTC) according to the US Department of Health & Human Services. Colorado has many resources for financial help like Health First Colorado, Colorados Medicaid Program and Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension that will help pay for in-home care, assisted living, and nursing facility care.Most Colorado elderly who needs help paying for LTC feel that they will not qualify for these programs because they have too much income or too many assets. In reality, many could qualify if they had the information from a knowledgeable professional, holding a VA Accreditation or a Certified Medicaid Planner (CMP) designation. The problem is that often plans for one program will conflict with good planning for the other. With uncertain care costs it is valuable to have one person or firm who understands multiple programs for assistance to ensure that in planning for one solution, an applicant isn't disqualifying themselves for future aid from other programs. Aid and Attendance is available only to veterans who have served during wartime. It has a cap to benefits and if costs of care exceed the VA maximum benefit, then other programs will offer a better solution.The rules of eligibility are readily available online. However, incomplete or inaccurate advice often causes people to think they must spend down to qualify for these programs. This simply is not true and can lead to an unnecessary liquidation of the assets people have worked a lifetime to obtain.There are legitimate means of preserving valuable or sentimental assets and income. Here in Colorado, to the surprise of many, following guidelines carefully afford numerous opportunities to protect income and assets. Consulting with an accredited firm and CMP that specializes in LTC financial solutions can help you and your family to file a successful application and qualify for the program that has the best financial outcome for your family.Editor's 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 at: info@doinggoodforothers.com

In the pursuit of holistic well-being, the impact of senior organizations on the health of older individuals cannot be overstated. These networks serve as vital hubs for fostering community and connection among seniors, addressing the often underestimated health implications of loneliness and isolation. By organizing educational programs, fitness activities, and mental health support, these organizations empower seniors with the knowledge and resources necessary to take charge of their health. From promoting physical activity tailored to various mobility levels to offering a platform for open discussions on mental health, senior organizations play a crucial role in enhancing the overall quality of life for their members.In addition to their focus on individual well-being, senior organizations also serve as invaluable guides in navigating the complexities of healthcare in later years. By providing assistance with healthcare logistics, organizing screenings, and offering information on insurance options, these networks contribute significantly to ensuring that seniors can access the healthcare resources they need. In essence, wellness networks for seniors become not just support systems, but beacons of empowerment, enriching the lives of their members and positively influencing the health landscape for an aging population.

Traditionally, an adult daycare center is a non-medical, non-residential center supporting adults social, medical, nutritional, and daily living activity needs in a professionally staffed, group setting. These facilities provide seniors with transitional care and short-term rehabilitation following hospital discharge. You can sign up for one day a week, five days a week, or just come in as you need to.When to Consider Adult DayCare. According to the National Adult Day Services Association and the AARP, one might want to start looking into daycare when they start to see the following signs:The senior can no longer structure their own daily activitiesThere is a concernHere is a breakdown of the various types of settings and services you might find.Social Day Service SettingsThese programs usually offer nutritious meals, snacks, personal care, socialization, exercise, recreational activities, outings, and educational programs. These settings are often informal, and, typically, the care recipient attending these facilities is very independent.Medical Day Service SettingsThese programs are often housed and sponsored by hospitals or nursing facilities, or you will find free-standing centers. Medical and/or non-medical personnel are available at all times. Staff may include on-call physicians and nurses, therapists, social workers, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), personal care workers, drivers, and program directors.Specialized Day Service CentersThese settings are appropriate for patients with dementia or Alzheimers disease. They offer a safe and stimulating environment and provide socialization activities and outings.Shopping for Adult Service CareThe first step is to determine the primary need of the senior and then consider the following important aspects of adult daycare:Do they provide round-trip transportation?Are they licensing for administering medicine and medical procedures?What are the professional qualifications of the staff?Do they have a schedule of activities?Do they have nutritious menus that meet the needs of the client?Do they have competitive prices for services offered?What payment source do they take? Is it a county or charity facility? Is the seniors income low enough to qualify for assistance? Will the long-term care insurance company accept this as a reimbursable expense? Does the facility accept Medicaid? Or Veteran Benefits?What is the staff to client ratio?Daycare CostsAccording to the U.S. Administration on Aging, costs for adult daycare can range from as little as $25 to more than $100 a day, depending upon factors such as what services are offered. The average cost is just under $70 a day.Unfortunately, Medicare typically doesnt cover the fees. However, many may be eligible for financial assistance through other government programs, such as Medicaid, the Veterans Health Administration, and other state agencies. That means adult daycare may be a more affordable option for caregivers seeking help and respite than hiring a worker to provide in-home care.If you would like help finding the perfect adult day program for you, please fill out this form and someone will get ahold of you.If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Broomfield, CO please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services today. Call 720-789-8529.

Do you know the differences between Home Care Agencies, Home Care Placement Agencies, and Independent Home Care Workers? Knowing these key differences can help you, or your loved one, get the care you need while protecting yourself from liability. First, some definitions: Home Care Agencies employ trained staff who provide medical home health or non-medical personal care services in the home care consumers temporary or permanent home or place or residence. Home Care Placement Agencies (a.k.a., registries) make referrals of Independent Home Care Workers to home care consumers seeking services. Independent Home Care Workers are unaffiliated individuals who may or may not have home care training who hold themselves out to the public as providing home care services.In order to better ensure the safety of home care consumers, Gov. Bill Ritter signed legislation in the summer of 2008 requiring all Home Care Agencies to be licensed by the State of Colorado. This new law requires that all medical Home Care Agencies become licensed prior to January 1, 2010 and all non-medical Home Care Agencies become licensed prior to January 1, 2011.In order to become licensed, Home Care Agencies must comply with a significant set of requirements that are designed to protect the rights and safety of home care consumers. These requirements include carrying general liability insurance or a surety bond, and training, scheduling, supervising, disciplining, and performing background checks on all home care workers. Home Care Agencies must also pass an extensive onsite survey by the State of Colorado Department of Health. As the employer of record, Home Care Agencies are also required to withhold and remit federal and state income taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes, and provide unemployment insurance and workers compensation insurance for all home care workers.By comparison, since they are not legally the employer of the home care workers whom they refer, Home Care Placement Agencies are not required to withhold payroll taxes or provide unemployment or workers compensation insurance for those home care workers. This means the consumer can be held directly and personal liable for any unremitted payroll taxes and any medical expenses should a referred home care worker become injured while providing care for the consumer. Likewise, since they are not the employer of record, Home Care Placement Agencies cannot be required to train, schedule, supervise, or discipline their referred home care workers. Generally speaking, because Home Care Placement Agencies are not able to exercise management and control over the performance of their referred home care workers, the State of Colorado does not currently allow Home Care Placement Agencies to become licensed.While some Independent Home Care Workers choose to accept referred assignments from Home Care Placement Agencies, others choose to work exclusively on their own. For those working on their own, all background checks, training, scheduling, supervision, and discipline become the responsibility of the consumer. And, as in the case of Home Care Placement Agencies, the consumer can be held directly and personal liable for any unremitted payroll taxes and any medical expenses should an Independent Home Care Worker become injured while providing care for the consumer. Caveat Emptor. Consumers are strongly encouraged to request an Agency Disclosure Form, which the Colorado Department of Health requires all Home Care Agencies and Home Care Placement Agencies to provide to consumers, and which specifies whether a provider is a Home Care Agency or a Home Care Placement Agency and lists the consumer safeguards that the home care provider is responsible for as well as the responsibilities of the home care consumer.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Lorin Chevalier, Managing Director of the licensed Home Care Agency, Senior Helpers, and a member of the Home Care Association of Colorado, the National Private Duty Association, and the Colorado Gerontological Society. He may be reached at 303-452-6500 or at www.SeniorHelpersBoulder.com