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Benefits of Memory Screening in Elder Care Fountain Hills, AZ

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Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are two of the most prevalent issues in elder care today. Elderly health care providers are charged not only with recognizing cognitive challenges in the seniors for him they provide care, but also in devising and implementing different ways to help prevent these cognitive challenges from developing and treat or at least manage them when they do develop. As an elder care provider, you may find yourself constantly worrying about whether your aging loved one will develop the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and become incredibly stressed at the prospect of how these diseases impact of life of a patient and his caregivers. It is important understand that early recognition of the cognitive and memory challenges is critical to the appropriate and effective management of these diseases, and that through  memory screening as a regular part of an elder care plan, the earliest signs of memory and cognitive challenges can be detected and the condition monitored and managed into the future.

Elder care memory screening helps elderly health care providers recognize early onset symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, but also helps to eliminate potential causes for these symptoms so that they can be eradicated and the disease managed better. Regular memory screening shows how well a senior can remember simple to complex concepts, process thought patterns and engage critical thinking. While some of the tests that are used during an elder care memory screening may seem confusing and even unrelated to the concept of memory care, each of the steps of such as screening is specifically designed to illustrate an individual thought pattern or process.

If you are providing elderly home care for an aging loved one and a memory screening indicates that the memory or cognitive challenges are beginning, it is important that you take immediate steps to manage these symptoms so that the condition does not deteriorate rapidly. Prompt and effective response to early onset symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is the best way to help keep seniors who suffer from these diseases healthy, productive and functional for as long as possible.

When researching options for elder care in Fountain Hills, AZ call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your in-home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care in Fountain Hills, AZ.

Navigating Elder Care In Fountain Hills, AZ: Learn The Difference Between Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Pay Options

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Understanding where to turn for elder care services in Fountain Hills, AZ can be overwhelming, but understanding HOW elder care services are paid for, is even more complicated.

Here are some of the ways that elder care is paid for.

Medicare:

• Seniors age 65 and older qualify for Medicare. Without getting too technical, Medicare only pays for skilled care.
• Skilled care means that the care must be ordered by a physician and provided by a licensed professional like a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, etc.
• The person receiving home health care under Medicare must be “homebound” (meaning they aren’t leaving the house to go to the grocery).
• The care will not be 24/7 care, and will probably only result in short visits periodically throughout the week or month.

Medicaid: (Medi-Cal in California)

You may be eligible for benefits through Medicaid. Medicaid programs vary by state, so you will need to check with your state Medicaid office for more information.
• Eligibility: People with disabilities are eligible in every state. In some states, people with disabilities qualify automatically if they get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. In other states you may qualify depending on your income and resources (financial assets).
• “Buy-Ins”: Some states also have “buy-in” programs that allow people with disabilities with incomes above regular Medicaid limits to enroll in the Medicaid program. Children with disabilities can qualify for Medicaid either under these disability-related rules, or based on family income.
• Expansion in 2014. Starting in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will expand the Medicaid program to cover people under age 65, including people with disabilities, with income of about $15,000 for a single individual (higher incomes for couples and families with children).
• Help for disabled people: This expansion helps low-income adults who have disabilities but don’t meet the disability requirements of the SSI program. The expansion also helps those whose income is above their state’s current eligibility levels.

To learn more about your state Medicaid program and other options available to you, use the insurance and coverage finder or visit Medicaid.gov.

Private Pay:

• Paying for care through private funds, including checking, savings, investments.
• Using Long-Term Care Insurance
• Using VA Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit

In order to know how your family might pay for elder care, talk to us for guidance and information.

When researching options for elder care agencies in Fountain Hills AZ, home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your elder care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care in Fountain Hills, AZ.