Colorado - Denver South

For many seniors who need some help in their daily lives as they age but who are also independent in several areas choosing between the types of assistance available can be a complex decision. Two of the most common options in this situation are assisted living services and home care services. At Avamere at Mountain Ridge, were proud to provide a variety of assisted living services in our senior living communities, from freshly-prepared meals and snacks to recreational events, laundry service, life enrichment and wellness programs, and numerous other services tailored directly to the individual needs of our guests. What are some of the elements that separate our services from home care solutions, and how can seniors and their caregivers go about choosing between the two? Heres a primer.Basics and Benefits of Assisted Living ServicesAssisted living communities provide different levels of on-site, 24/7 assistance to their residents depending on their needs. For example, a resident may be able to cook for themselves but need someone else to do their grocery shopping or clean house. Our staff will work with residents on an individualized level to determine the level of assistance each resident needs.Common needs for residents in assisted living communities include assistance with medication or refiling prescriptions; assistance with transportation; memory care or other forms of treatment for Alzheimers or dementia; assistance with mobility impairment and fall risks; and many others.Basics and Benefits of Senior Home Care ServicesHome care services, on the other hand, take place within the home of the senior in question. Home care services can provide meals, snacks, and even light housekeeping if requested.Home care services also offer transportation to appointments and grocery shopping trips. For those who need medical support in their home, home care may be a great option as the caregiver can administer medicines, monitor vital signs, and help with mobility impairment.Home care services tend to be mostly for seniors who dont have intermittent needs, such as help getting to and from the bathroom, but just need assistance with limited areas, as they arrive at scheduled times and are not available 24/7.Cost ComparisonFor those who need recurrent care, assisted living is far more cost-effective than home care. For example, if a senior needs help getting to and from the bathroom, then assisted living will be less expensive because a resident can request help from a caregiver for such tasks. Home care services are mostly for seniors with limited needs and dont require assistance on an ongoing basis. Home care is paid by the hour around $30-$40 each hour. Assisted living is a set rent price for 24/7 care.

Changes that happen with age may increase a persons risk of heart disease. A major cause of heart disease is the buildup of fatty deposits in the walls of arteries over many years. The good news is there are things you can do to delay, lower, or possibly avoid or reverse your risk.How Does the Heart Work?Your heart is a strong muscle that pumps blood to your body. A normal, healthy adult heart is about the size of your clenched fist. Just like an engine makes a car go, the heart keeps your body running. The heart has two sides, each with a top chamber (atrium) and a bottom chamber (ventricle). The right-side pumps blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. The left side receives blood rich with oxygen from the lungs and pumps it through arteries throughout the body. An electrical system in the heart controls the heart rate (heartbeat or pulse) and coordinates the contraction of the hearts top and bottom chambers.How Your Heart Changes with AgePeople aged 65 and older are much more likely than younger people to suffer a heart attack, to have a stroke, or to develop coronary heart disease (commonly called heart disease) and heart failure. Heart disease is also a major cause of disability, limiting the activity and eroding the quality of life of millions of older people.Aging can cause changes in the heart and blood vessels. For example, as you get older, your heart cant beat as fast during physical activity or times of stress as it did when you were younger. However, the number of heart beats per minute (heart rate) at rest does not change significantly with normal aging.To learn more about the impact of aging on your heart, signs of heart disease and how to help prevent it, from the National Institute on Aging, CLICK HERE.

Finding a Medicare health plan that supports your health, lifestyle, and budget is important. Consider your care needs and what your life may be like after you turn 65.  The first step in choosing the right coverage is understanding the four parts of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D. Each part covers specific services, from medical care to prescription drugs.  Together, Part A and Part B are called Original Medicare and are provided by the federal government. It covers about 80% of hospital and medical expenses and doesnt include prescription drug coverage.  Part C known as Medicare Advantage  is another way to get Part A and B coverage. You can get these plans from private health care providers.  Part D is prescription drug coverage that can be added to Original Medicare. Next, pick Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan that best suits your needs. With Medicare Advantage plans, youll get other benefits, like affordable prescription drug coverage, dental and vision. These plans also have predictable costs with set copays, which can make it easier to plan your expenses.Other important aspects of a good Medicare health plan are affordability, convenience, and quality care. Another consideration that adds to a better patient experience is integrated care.Integrated care links all aspects of patient care together in an electronic medical record system. You can receive updates from doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and many specialists, all connected in one place. This enables your clinical care team to develop a personalized care plan. Lab results and doctors notes are available with 24/7access to your health record. To compare Medicare Advantage plans based on quality and service, use the star quality ratings given each year by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare health plans are rated in five categories: preventive care, chronic care, prescription drugs, customer service, and member satisfaction. A 5-star rating is excellent.When choosing a Medicare health plan, finding one that offers convenience, quality, service, access, and an integrated care experience, will give you peace of mind.Editors Note:  This article was submitted by Matt Engstrom, MBA, Kaiser Permanente Medicare Sales Leader. For more information he may be reached at 303-338-3353 or by email at hew.B.Engstrom@kp.org

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