Deciding if you should step in and be a caregiver for a loved one is neither an easy decision, nor one that should be taken lightly. Often, caregivers find themselves thrown into a role, even if it is not something they want to do. And let’s face it, not everyone is cut out to be [...]
The first stage of caregiving comes as a shock to most people, but it hits few as hard as it does the patient’s loved ones. Whether the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s, dementia or a terminal disease, the new is never what we want to hear. When the diagnosis is made, we often feel scared and sad. [...]
No matter how you ended up being a caregiver for a loved one, the journey is a struggle. Whether you are a senior spouse caring for a sick partner, a mother caring for both an elderly parent and your own children, or a single person that is stepping in to help an elder friend, caregiving [...]
A caregiver is, simply put, someone who takes on the burden and responsibility of caring for an elder friend or family member. There are 65.7 million caregivers in the United States, and 14.9 million of them are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Taking on the role of being a caregiver should not be [...]
An experienced elder law attorney can help you develop a long-term care plan, which is a beneficial planning tool, regardless of your age. The long-term care plan should include: Where you want to live as you age How you want to be cared for Who will make medical decisions Who will make financial decisions How [...]
You may think that you, or a loved one, will never need to be in a nursing home, but the statistics show otherwise. 72% of women over the age of 65 will have an illness or injury that requires three months of nursing home care in their lifetime. For men over 65, 44% will experience [...]
While nursing home care is the most expensive option for long-term care, there are several ways to cover the burden of cost, including Medicaid, Medicare, long-term care insurance and private pay. Medicare There is a common misconception about Medicare, in that most people think it covers nursing home care completely. In reality, it only covers [...]
The Nursing Home Reform Act outlines patient’s rights while under the care of an assisted living facility or nursing home. It is important to understand patient rights before signing a contract, and these rights provide the knowledge to help you spot a problem at a potential nursing home. Nursing home patients have the right to: [...]
Both the federal and the state government regulate nursing homes. The Nursing Home Reform Act was passed in 1987, which requires nursing homes to provide activities and services that deliver the highest level of mental, psycho-social and physical well-being for residents. In addition, nursing homes must: Provide sufficient nursing staff Conduct a comprehensive assessment of [...]
Nursing homes are typically reserved for the chronically ill that require skilled nursing care around the clock. The needs tend to be more than what can be provided by an in-home caregiver or an assisted living facility. Nursing home care is often considered custodial care, much like a hospital provides. Admittance to a nursing home [...]