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Kurt Hjelle

Senior Care in Lisle, IL: Understand the Resources Needed to Keep Seniors in Their Own Homes

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According to a report by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, most people over the age of 45 express a desire to live in their own home even when assistance becomes necessary. In addition, over 25 percent of seniors report that they fear the loss of their independence and moving to a nursing home more than they fear death itself. However, home care is often possible with adequate support, resources and information.

As individuals age, the need for assistance tends to grow, often in accordance to health problems that progressively worsen or multiply. While nursing homes are often the traditional solution for many elder care problems, home care is another option that often allows the senior to remain in their home and maintain a sense of independence, privacy and dignity. However, as with any other solutions, keeping the senior at home requires some advance planning.

Budget

According to the MetLife report, one in five seniors in the U.S. faces considerable costs for long-term care. Most insurance companies offer only limited health care costs and only if “skilled care needs” are included in the policy.

Seniors and their families should plan for long-term costs including a home care companion, changes to accompany the senior’s movement and safety in the home, transportation, entertainment, prescription and over-the-counter medication as well as co-pays, laboratory tests and other medical costs.

Daily Tasks

Some of the tasks that most healthy adults take for granted but many seniors require assistance for include bathing, dressing, eating, walking, toileting and taking medication as recommended/prescribed. Home companions and family members can assist the senior with these daily tasks and allow them to remain in the home through adequate elder care, thereby maintaining a sense of dignity and independence.

Transportation

Another necessary aspect of home-based care includes transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, running errands and visiting friends and family. A home companion, family members or some services that provide transportation for seniors to various activities and appointments may meet this need.

Meals

Many seniors can no longer perform grocery shopping or meal preparation on their own and require assistance for these tasks. Again, this is a need that home companions may help fill, as can family members and some organizations that visit seniors daily to bring them meals.

Home Design

As seniors age, their needs in the home change and require modification to the home as a result. For example, an individual may no longer be able to navigate stairs safely or easily or might have difficulty getting in and out of the shower or bathtub. In addition, the home needs to be well lit and clear of clutter or items that may cause the senior to trip or fall.

Entertainment

No one wants to sit around all day with nothing to do, so entertainment is a necessary element when it comes to senior home living arrangements. This may include television, movies, reading, music, puzzles and regular visitors as well as social outings.

The coordination of all of these factors typically requires a person to act as a care coordinator to ensure that all aspects of care at home are present. Finding the necessary resources and support to do so is often an expensive proposition. Both planning and saving should be performed in advance as much as possible to alleviate the associated costs and to prepare adequately for the senior to remain at home as long as possible.

Home care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing senior care in Lisle. For more information about senior care call us at (888) 703-5287.

When Transportation for Seniors Becomes Challenging- Home Care in Downers Grove, IL Can Help

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Most of us take the ability to get in the car to go run some errands or to get somewhere for granted. After all, we are used to being able to drive ourselves wherever it is that we would like to be whenever it is that we would like to go. However, there is a point for many seniors when they can no longer drive or are no longer able to drive safely, which means that the loved ones in their life are responsible for transporting them around town. This may present many logistical challenges in terms of time, scheduling and effort. If this is the case, then perhaps it is time to consider in-home care assistance to provide necessary transportation for the senior.

Home Care Can Help

Home care assistants can do many things for seniors of all ages and ability, from providing basic cleaning and cooking to more intensive caretaking efforts. In addition, one essential service that care assistants can provide is transportation to doctor’s appointments, to the grocery store, to pick up medicine at the pharmacy, the bank and/or any other errands or events.

Transportation is Easier

Transportation assistance from home care companions is an important benefit for many reasons. For example, it frees up loved ones from having to take time from their own schedule to pick up the senior, transport them to the desired location, pick back up and then drive the senior home, which can be a very time-consuming activity on a regular basis. In addition, it provides the senior with an important sense of freedom and independence since they do not have to wait for their loved one to have the time available to come and take them somewhere.

Have the Driving Discussion

If you have an elderly loved one who is no longer able to drive or whom you are not sure should be driving, have a frank discussion with their primary physician about their driving abilities. After all, driving safely requires a certain action and reaction time in order to be safe and prevent injury to themselves or others. If this safety is in question, perhaps it is time to hire additional care help to make sure the senior can still get to important doctor’s appointments and run errands as before with a trusted home care companion at the helm. Your loved one will maintain a sense of independence and you will maintain a sense of security for their health and safety.

Home care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your Home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home care in Downers Grove. For more information about Home care call us at (888) 703-5287.

Home Care in Naperville, IL: Easy Craft Ideas to Share with Homebound Seniors

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One of the biggest day-to-day problems with care for homebound seniors is the sheer boredom that sets in over time. While there are things that can help fill the time, such as reading new books, doing puzzles, playing games and watching a little bit of television, home care companions can also do easy crafts with their senior for a welcome change of pace.

– Creating homemade greeting cards are a good way to help the homebound feel connected and to give back to the community. Use construction paper in bright colors, folded over to make a card, and give the senior markers, rubber stamps, stickers and other decorations to make Get Well, Happy Birthday and Just Because cards. These cards can be sent to the local hospice, hospital, rehabilitation facility or veteran’s hospital.

– Establish a pen pal relationship with a local classroom of children. Teachers often welcome a new way to tell stories from the past and increase children’s awareness of life beyond their own daily routine. In return, older adults feel reinvigorated by getting mail and enjoy the funny, sweet letters from children.

– Use boxes of photographs to create memory books, accompanied by stories and anecdotes from the past. Caregivers can listen to a story by the senior and type it up, then print the story and cut the paper down to size and add to the scrapbook. This makes for a beautiful and unique heirloom and a great way to preserve history.

– Watching birds can be a restful and entertaining way to spend some time. Make your own bird feeders by spreading peanut butter generously on a pine cone, working it into all of the spaces on the pine cone and then roll the pinecone in birdseed. Wrap a piece of yarn firmly around one of the top pieces and tie a firm knot, then create a loop with the rest of the yarn to hang the bird feeder on a branch near a window.

– Many seniors know how to knit, sew and quilt. Put these skills to use by making baby hats and booties for the local hospital or tiny blankets for the neonatal intensive care unit. Alternatively, the individual can knit socks, scarves, mittens and hats for friends and family.

– Make some bath salts by putting one cup of Epsom salts and ½ tsp. lemon oil into a jar and stirring well. Add color by putting in two drops of yellow food coloring to the jar and mixing. Allow the senior to decorate the jar and the lid to complete a lovely gift to donate or give to friends and family. Be sure to keep some to use at home as well.

Home care companions often find that fun and simple crafts for homebound seniors help them feel more involved, perk up their minds and encourage them to use some of the skills and abilities they already have while even learning some new ones.

Home care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your Home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home care in Naperville. For more information about Home care call us at (888) 703-5287.

Does Medicaid Pay for Home Care in Darien, IL?

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At some point or another, many of us will either need to consider home health care for ourselves or for a loved one. Choosing home health care may be an easy choice for some, since it allows the person to remain in their own home and continue a certain level of autonomy while providing the attention and health care necessary. However, there are many other details included when it comes to implementing a home health care system.

One of the biggest issues is the cost of home health care and how to pay for it.

A common question is whether Medicaid pays for home care.

Government Assistance

Run by the federal government, Medicaid is a health care assistance plan for those who have low income and limited access to resources to traditional medical care. Most states have their own program with differing requirements and rules.

Note that coverage includes a certain amount for deductibles, premiums and co-payments used in conjunction with Medicare, which is also a federal insurance program for those over the age of 65 and some disabilities and diseases.

Home Health Care

Home care usually funds through a sub-section of the program, called Home and Community Based Services, or HCBS.

HCBS programs offer some or all coverage for various home health care costs, such as physical therapy, nursing care, home assistance with cooking, laundry, cleaning and/or meal delivery, transportation to and from necessary doctor and other appointments, participation in an adult day service program, home modifications to add safety elements and medical equipment and supplies.

The program requires an application process, which generally goes as follows:

  • Locate your local HCBS program and apply for home care assistance.
  • The program will evaluate the need for home health care assistance and medical care to determine if the individual needs the home health care to avoid placement in a nursing home.
  • Once the need for home health care is established, the program will look to determine whether the individual meets income and asset eligibility levels.

To begin the process and apply for home health care benefits, start by going to Benefits.gov and selecting your state. Then look for your state’s home page, where you can look for information about contacting the HCBS program to ask about applying and eligibility requirements.

Home Care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your Home Care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Home Care in Darien. For more information about Home Care call us at (888) 703-5287.

Senior Care in Oswego, IL: Take a Walk! Seniors Benefit From Walking with a Companion.

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Physical fitness is essential for good physical and mental health. Walking may be one of the safest forms of exercise for seniors due to the moderately low risk of injury. Walking regularly can help lower blood pressure, stabilize blood sugar levels and significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. It may also slow the aging process and helps minimize the risk of developing age-related illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Senior Care Companions Keep Seniors Healthy

Seniors who live independently at home can receive many benefits from in-home care provided by professional caregivers. Senior care providers can provide companionship for individuals who enjoy the company of others. Having a companion can help to reduce the feelings of loneliness and insecurity that may be associated with being alone. Staying healthy is often a high priority for seniors living at home and exercising with a companion can encourage an active and healthy lifestyle.

In-Home Care Companions Provide Motivation!

Walking with a companion can increase motivation while making the exercise more enjoyable and entertaining. Walking around the neighborhood routinely can become dull and uninspiring; however, walking with a partner can encourage conversation that can help make the walk more pleasant. A trusted in-home senior care professional can give seniors the support they need to keep engaging in the exercises they enjoy to remain as active and fit as possible.

Companions Provide Safety

Walking around the neighborhood alone can be discouraging to many seniors. The fear of injury or being approached by an intimidating individual may contribute to the feeling of insecurity many seniors may experience while walking alone. Walking with a trusted partner can help minimize the feelings of uneasiness while pursuing their goal to be fit and healthy. Many seniors feel reassured when they have someone with them at all times who can call for help in the event of a fall or other type of emergency.

In Good Company….

Enjoying the company of others is often helpful with increasing the quality of life for many individuals and is also extremely important in maintaining good mental health. Caregivers can assist with coordinating an exercise routine based on the individual needs of the senior and encourage them to participate regularly. Safety and companionship are two of the most important services that a senior care professional can offer.

Senior care counselors at Safe at Home Healthcare are available to talk with you about your Senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care, including live-in care. We are an elder care agency providing Senior care in Oswego. For more information about Senior care call us at (888) 703-5287.