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Taking Care of Parents

Affording Arizona Home Care: Payment Options You May Not Know

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Arizona Home CarePick a senior, any senior, and you’re likely to hear the same sentiments: the vast majority of older adults agree that they’d prefer to spend their elder years at home over moving to a nursing home facility. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about who pays for Arizona home care. Medicare? Medicaid? Insurance? The reality, per CPA Jerry Lowe, is, “For the most part, the clients who have home care are private pay.”

Although Medicare does cover home health care on a limited basis, if it’s deemed to be medically necessary, it does not cover homemaker services – and, most health insurance and Medicare supplemental plans don’t cover any type of in-home care.

According to Rod Perkins, VP of insurance regulation of the American Council of Life Insurers, “Baby boomers have seen their parents have long-term care needs and weren’t prepared. And it’s not just an old-age product. You could need in-home care as a result of an accident.”

If you and your senior loved ones aren’t prepared to pay out of pocket for home care in Arizona however, rest assured that there are some additional avenues to explore, such as:

  • Veterans’ assistance (click here to check eligibility requirements)
  • PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
  • Long-term care insurance policies that specifically include in-home care services
  • Reverse mortgages
  • Organizations geared to assist with specific needs, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, the ALS Association, and Easter Seals, may provide respite care vouchers
  • Community support, such as through religious organizations, the local Area on Aging, the United Way and area senior centers

The Benefits.gov site is also a great resource to determine what federal benefits you may qualify for. And, contact Endeavor In-Home Care, the leading provider of in-home senior care in Phoenix & nearby areas, for more resources and assistance with making sure no stone is left unturned when it comes to providing Arizona home care for your precious senior loved ones. We’re skilled at exploring every possible avenue to help families uncover any benefits for which their senior loved ones qualify. Let us help make professional in-home care services a reality for you by calling (480) 535-6800!

Does Your Elderly Parent Have Diabetes? Consider Home Healthcare

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Anyone can easily learn how to operate a glucose meter; it involves a simple finger prick for a blood sample and –for most meters—just five seconds to read the result.

Managing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes is a constant challenge, even more so for seniors who may have lost some manual dexterity, have memory problems or suffer from nerve damage. In-home healthcare may be the best option for some families; however, if you are caring for a loved one with diabetes you should be aware of the following potential issues.

Blood glucose testing is the primary tool for a person with diabetes to manage their disease. Today’s glucose meters tendto be small and can be difficult to handle for persons with limited movement in the hands and fingers.

Anyone can easily learn how to operate a glucose meter; it involves a simple finger prick for a blood sample and –for most meters—just five seconds to read the result. Most diabetics are instructed to test their blood sugar 3-4 times a day.

The result of the blood glucose test will determine what the next dose of insulin or other medication should be. You’ll need to not only learn how to use the meter, but also keep a document handy with doctor’s instructions regarding how to adjust medications based on these test results. Obviously, seniors who have memory problems will need close monitoring to ensure that tests are conducted on schedule and that medications are accurately dispensed.

If your loved one exhibits odd behaviors, don’t assume that these are a result of aging or dementia! Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) reactions can cause slurred speech, dizziness and anxiety; a person experiencing hypoglycemia can appear to be drunk. If you see this kind of behavior you will want to test your loved one’s blood sugar immediately.

Finally, persons with diabetes are prone to develop sores that won’t heal, especially on their feet. If the person has diminished sensation due to nerve damage, a small cut or blister can become gangrenous surprisingly quickly, often leading to amputations. Be sure to check the person’s feet regularly; at least every 3-4 days.

Caring for diabetes is a 24-hour-a-day job that is difficult for a family member to take on; a better option might be to hire a service that provides in-home care for your loved one. If you’re fortunate enough to live in the Arizona Valley, you have the home care experts at your service: Endeavor Senior Care. We provide a full spectrum of in-home care to help your loved one live independently for as long as possible and give you peace of mind. If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact us.

Home health care: not synonymous to home care

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Home care is provided by non-medical caregivers, who are screened and employed by senior care facilities who assist with activities of daily living.

The phrases “home care” and “home health care” are sometimes used interchangeably, but recently, with an increasing emphasis on geriatric care, there seems to be an emerging need to distinguish one from the other.”Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home for an illness or injury” as defined by Medicare, which covers most of its services.

While in both cases, care is provided to your loved one in the comfort of his or her home, the type of care and the provider may be different. Home care is provided by non-medical caregivers, who are screened and employed by senior care facilities such as Endeavor Senior Care and who assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as preparing meals, cleaning the house, doing groceries, taking medications, etc. Home health care, on the other hand, is provided by licensed healthcare workers such as nurses, occupational therapists and medical social workers. These professionals provide in-home medical care, which is “just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF)” according to Medicare.

A medical doctor will decide if home health care is the right option. After prescribing it, he or she may either choose to refer you to a home health agency available in your area or may allow you to contact one that will best meet your loved one’s needs. Either way, the home health staff will constantly be reporting back to the doctor about your loved one’s care and progress.

There may be times when both home care and home health care services are required. For example, your loved one may be in need of both personal and medical assistance. In that case, what do you do? Fortunately, Endeavor Senior Care has a registered nurse on hand and many caretakers in the Phoenix and Tuscon area. For more information on how these services differ from each other and how we can assist your loved one, please contact us at (480) 535-6800.

Elder Home Care Agency in AZ Embraces Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

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Our caregivers can handle many of those tasks that are difficult for those undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer.

Do you or someone you know suffer from colorectal cancer? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s figures, the disease negatively impacts the lives of more than 130,000 people each year. Subsequently, the United States government has once again set aside March 2015 as the month to remind people of the deadly disease and its consequences. As such, all of the people associated with our eldercare home care are embracing the initiative too.

Arizona residents diagnosed with colorectal cancer don’t have to go it alone. Our elder home care agency can provide comforting, important services to them while they undergo potentially lifesaving treatments, like radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy. For example, all three treatments are known to drain a person of energy and leave them unable to complete basic tasks. Our caregivers can handle many of those tasks, like running errands, picking up the mail, washing the bed linens and preparing a bowl of soup.

We can also stay on after the treatments are over and provide additional, supportive care that colorectal cancer patients and their families may need. For instance, the person may want someone to walk with them as they build their strength back up. They may also crave someone to talk to, drive them to follow-up appointments, pick up colostomy supplies or just hold their hand at particularly rough times of the day.

To learn more about the wide variety of home care options available to elderly people diagnosed with colorectal cancer, please contact us at Endeavor Home Care today. All of our home caregivers are rigorously screened, trained, bonded and insured to meet Arizona’s regulatory standards. Plus, with our team, customized care plans are the norm, not the exception. So, Arizona’s families can rest easy that their loved ones will receive high-quality, individualized care year round.

Home Health Care Services: Elder Depression, How To Help

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Home health care services may not be thought necessary if an elderly loved one simply seems uninterested in going out, or is listless. However, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression in retirees is “a major public health problem.” And, depression is a biological and medical–as well as a psychological–illness.

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Offering daily assistance to a depressed loved one can be incredibly helpful.

The WebMD describes depression’s commonness, and its symptoms:”Late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans age 65 and older.” Seniors may complain of general aches and pains, and that they don’t sleep well, instead of the sadness and irritability typically attributed to depression.

Who is most at risk for depression? The WebMD lists seniors who are “female, single, lack a supportive social network,” and who have suffered “stressful life events.”–like the deaths of family and friends, or one’s own health problems.

White men ages 80 to 84 are more than twice as likely as any other demographic to commit suicide due to depression.

Older adults who’ve had strokes, cancer, heart attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, previous depression episodes, family histories of depression–and who are taking certain medications–are also more vulnerable to depression.

What can we do for older family members who’ve been diagnosed as “clinically depressed?” Try to help them past the stigma that seniors typically connect to mental health treatment. “Many doctors recommend the use of psychotherapy in combination with antidepressants,” explains the WebMD.  In addition, “most depressed people find that support from family and friends is helpful.”

Psychotherapy often nudges seniors to “mentally reframe” their current circumstances.  For example, the counselor may suggest, “Moving to a condo is not the most difficult change you’ve encountered. Think of the strength you mustered when you moved overseas for your husband’s job.”

If family members can’t offer daily assistance to older adults who need extra time and attention–or who want to get out of the house and shop, attend community functions or visit peers–please call contact us.  We can help mothers and fathers follow their medication and therapy schedules, and escort them to activities that will improve moods and brighten spirits!

Elder Care: Different Types of Services Explained

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elder careТhе term elder care refers tо а broad range оf аvаіlаblе care аnd services tо assist thе elderly. Care mау bе needed fоr а short period оf time tо help оnе rehabilitate аftеr аn accident оr illness, оr mау bе needed long term bесаusе оf а medical condition оr terminal illness. Care саn аlsо range frоm basic assistance wіth activities оf daily living tо professional medical care.

In-Home Care: Elder care саn tаkе place іn thе hоmе. Тhе care mау bе provided bу а family caregiver оr bу а paid assistant оr professional. Elder care nееds іn thе hоmе саn vary frоm companionship аnd light housekeeping tо assistance wіth eating, dressing, bathing аnd toileting. Professional medical services саn аlsо bе administered іn thе hоmе bу aides аnd nurses tо assist wіth therapy, medication аnd monitoring. Ѕоmе medical services authorized bу а physician mау bе reimbursed bу insurance оr Medicare.

Adult Day Care: Adult day care services provide structured, supervised care fоr elders durіng thе day. Тhіs саn provide respite tо family caregivers whо nееd а break, оr time tо run errands оr work. Adult day care mау bе geared tоwаrd social interaction аnd activities, оr mау involve medical care аnd therapy. Моst adult day care programs аrе community based аnd operate durіng regular business hours. Іn mоst cases, adult day care іs paid fоr bу out-of-pocket funds.

Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities provide thе opportunity fоr independent living wіth thе benefit оf assistance wіth day-to-day activities. Моst facilities provide transportation аnd housekeeping services. Residents mау participate іn social activities аnd outings organized bу thе facilities. Ѕоmе facilities offer basic health services оr arrange fоr medical personnel tо mаkе visits. Monthly fees fоr assisted living аrе usuаllу paid wіth private funds.

Deciding thе best type оf elder care fоr аn individual саn bе а difficult decision. Families аnd loved оnеs must consider multiple factors, including thе level оf care needed, thе anticipated duration оf care, аnd thе availability оf funds tо pay fоr thе cost. Іt іs аlsо іmроrtаnt tо ensure thе person іs treated wіth dignity аnd іs allowed tо enjoy thе best quality оf life роssіblе. Contact us to learn how you can streamline this process.

Considering Home Care in Chandler, AZ after Visiting Aging Parents During the Holidays? What You Should Know

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The holidays are such a bright and joyous time. You welcome your loved ones into your home, or visit them at their homes, and reconnect over the warm feelings and happiness that this season bring. The holidays, however, can also act as a magnifying glass through which the physical, cognitive, and medical needs of your aging loved ones can become incredibly obvious. Suddenly they are able to celebrate in the way that they once did. Maybe you noticed that they aren’t as actively participating in family traditions. Maybe your mother isn’t preparing the elaborate meal or a favorite dessert that she has every year. Maybe your father isn’t on the floor playing with the children, or outside arranging a family football game. Whatever it is that makes you feel that your parents need additional help, it is important that you don’t hesitate to get this help in place.

If you are considering home care after visiting your aging parents during the holidays, calling an agency for more information can help your mind at ease. The agency can offer you all the information that you need to make a confident and loving decision regarding the assistance of your parents. Here are some things that you should know about arranging home care for your aging parents:

• There is no one type of home care. That is the beauty of home care. It is absolutely personalized to the individual senior. Your parents will receive the level of care that they need, in the way that they need, and nothing else.

• A home care companion is not a nurse. She is not there to keep your parents constricted to bed or provide medical assistance and nothing else. She is there to be a companion.

• The companion means that she is there to encourage a productive, healthy, and happy life. She will help your parents run errands, take them on outings, help keep their house neat, do laundry, help prepare meals, play games, basically she will do whatever your parents need in order to feel comfortable and happy.

• Home care is an ideal complement to care that is provided by family members. A Home care companion can be there for just a couple of hours a day a few days a week if that’s all you need. You can also hire a live-in caregiver to provide assistance to your parents 24 hours a day seven days a week.

What’s really important to remember about home care for your aging parents is that through this type of care you are ensuring that your parents will be safe, happy, and healthy even if you are not available to be there all the time.

When researching options for home care agencies in Chandler, 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 Chandler, AZ.