Newspaper Page Text
Page 6
Health and Wellness at the Crossroads, Feb. 17,1999
Finding the right home for golden years
Special to the Times-Iqurnal
Juk ost older people are independent. But later
4rOin life especially in the 80s and 90s
you or someone you know may begin to need help
with everyday activities like shopping, cooking,
walking, or bathing.
For many people, regular or “long-term” care may
mean a little help from family and friends or regular
visits by a home health aide. For others who are frail
or suffering from dementia, long-term care may
involve moving to a place where professional care is
available 24 hours a day.
The National Institute on Aging says the good
news is that families have more choices in long-term
care than ever before. Today, services can provide the
needed help while letting you stay active and con
nected with family, friends, and neighbors. These
services include home health care, adult day care,
and transportation services for frail seniors as well as
foster care, assisted living and retirement communi
ties, and traditional nursing homes.
Planning Ahead
The key to successful long-term care is planning.
You or your family may need to make a decision in
a hurry, often after an unexpected emergency like a
broken hip. Be prepared by getting information
ahead of time. That way, you will know what’s avail
able and affordable before there is a crisis. To start
the National Institute on Aging says:
V If you are having trouble with things like
bathing, managing finances, or driving, talk with
your doctor and other health care professionals
about your need for help. A special type of social
worker, called a geriatric case manager, can help you
and your family through this complex time by devel
oping a long-term care plan and locating appropri
ate services. Geriatric case managers can be particu
larly helpful when family members live a long dis
tance apart.
V It you are helping a family member or friend,
talk about the best way to meet his or her needs. If
you need help for yourself, talk with your family. For
instance, if you are having trouble making your
meals, do you want meals delivered by a local pro
gram or would you fflee family and friends to help?
Would you let a paid aide in your home? If you don’t
drive, would you like a friend or bus service to take
you to the doctor or other appointments?
V Learn about the types of services and care in
your community. Doctors, social workers, and others
who see you for regular care may have suggestions.
The Area Agency on Aging and local and state
offices of aging or social services can give you lists of
adult day care centers, meal programs, companion
programs, transportation services, or places provid
ing more care.
\ Find out how you may or may not be
covered by insurance. The Federal Medicare pro
gram and private “Medigap” insurance only offer
short-term home health and nursing home benefits.
Contact your state-run Medicaid program about
long-term nursing home coverage tor people with
limited means. Also, your state's insurance commis
sion can tell you more about private long-term care
policies and offer tips on how to buy this complicat
ed insurance. These agencies are listed in your tele
phone book, under “Government."
Be aware that figuring out care for the long term
isn’t easy. Needs may change over time. What
worked 6 months ago may no longer apply.
Insurance coverage is often very limited and families
may have problems paying for services. In addition,
rules about programs ana benefits change, and it’s
hard to know from one year to die next what may be
available.
A Need for More Care
National Institute on Aging officials say that at
some point, support from family, friends, or local
meal or transportation programs may not be
enough. If you need a lot of help with everyday
activities, you may need to move to a place where
care is available around-the-clock. There are two
types of residential care:
V Assisted living arrangements are available in
large apartment or hotel-like buildings or can be set
up as “board and care” homes for a small number of
people. They offer different levels of care, but often
include meals, recreation, security, and help with
bathing, dressing, medication, and housekeeping.
V Skilled nursing facilities "nursing homes”
provide 24-hour services and supervision. They pro
vide medical care and rehabilitation for residents,
who are mosdy very frail or suffer from the later
stages of dementia.
Sometimes, health care providers offer different
levels of care at one site, these “continuing care
communities” often locate an assisted living facility
next to a nursing home so that people can move
from one type of care to another if necessary. Several
offer programs for couples, trying to meet needs
when one spouse is doing well but the other has
become disabled.
Finding the Right Place
To find the residential program that’s best for
y° u;
\ Ask Questions. Find out about specific facili
ties in your area. Doctors, friends and relatives, local
hospital discharge planners and social workers, and
religious organizations can help. Your state’s Office
of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman has informa
tion about specific nursing homes and can let you
know whether there have been problems at a partic
ular home. Other types of residential arrangements,
like “board and care 1 * homes, do not follow the same
Federal, state, or local licensing requirements or reg
ulations as nursing homes. Talk to people in your
community or local social service agencies to find
out which facilities seem to be well run.
V Call. Contact the places that interest you. Ask
basic questions about vacancies, number of resi
dents, costs and method of payment, and participa
tion in Medicare and Medicaid. Also ihink about
what’s important to you, such as tr irtqkortation,
meals, housekeeping, activities, special uhits for
Alzheimer’s disease, or medication policies.
V Visit. When you find a place that seems right,
go talk to the staff, residents, and, if possible, family
members of residents. Set up an appointment, but
also go unannounced and at different times of the
day. See if the staff treats residents with respect and
tries to meet the needs of each person. Check if the
building is clean and safe. Are residents restrained in
any way? Are social activities and exercise programs
offered and enjoyed? Do residents have personal
privacy? Is the facility secure for people and their
belongings? Eat a meal there to see if you like the
food.
V Understand. Once you have made a choice, be
sure you understand the facility’s contract and finan
cial agreement. It’s a good idea to have a lawyer look
them over before you sign.
Moving from home to a long-term care facility or
nursing home is a big change. It affects the whole
family. Some facilities or community groups have a
social worker who can help you prepare for the
change. Allow some time to adjust after the move
has taken place.
National Institute on Aging experts remind you
that regular visits by family and mends are impor
tant. Tney can be reassuring and comforting. Visits
are necessary, too, for keeping an eye on the care that
is being given.
Resources
The following organizations and agencies can
provide information about assistance ana long-term
care:
The Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can
direct you to your Area Agency on Aging. They will
give you information on local long-term care
resources and programs. Visit their website at
httpj//www.aoa.dhhs.gov.
The Nursing Home Information Service at the
National Council of Senior Citizens, 8403
Colesville Road, Suite 1200, Silver Spring, Md.,
20910 (301-578-8938) has information on commu
nity services and offers a free guide on how to select
a nursing home. Visit their website at
http://www.ncscinc.org.
mr-f-'Curves.-
Mr for women
30 Minute Fitness & Weight Loss Center
Quickfit is a com
plete workout that
only takes 30 min
• It’s user-friendly. ’ v
women. /vv// /*k
• Bums body Fat
• G reat for older **. iy t»*L+y
women!! 988-9021
Guest pass Eastgate Shopping Center, Perry
Try one week Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. -1 p.m.
free membership! 3:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Health and Wellness at the Crossroads is a
publication of the Houston Times-Joumal.
! Are you
J§Ml caring for
IvU %ir a loved one ;
at home?
Home Infusion
(300} Answering Service
I Registered Pharmacists. When you, a member of
S your fatuity ©r loved one must fLi-Jw *"«
By Referral Only
Be sure to specify Middle Georgia Home Infusion by
name when you confer with your physician.
Call Archie Thompson or Monty Parnell for more information.
888*1378
Accepting Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance and
Pj Private Pay Patients ||