What to do BEFORE “The Call”

Emergencies can happen at any time. Seniors are at high risk due to the large numbers of medications they are taking.  Older adults represent just over 13% of the population, but consume 40% of prescription drugs and 35% of all over-the-counter drugs, according to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP). According to the ASCP, adverse drug reactions are responsible for 28 percent of hospitalizations of the elderly.

What happens when an adult child receives “the call” that an emergency has occurred?  Panic sets in if it becomes clear that decisions have to be made about your parents’ care and you haven’t a clue where to find the needed information.

A recent survey was conducted by Home Instead Senior Care of future family caregivers – individuals who plan on caring for their parents within the next 10 years whenever the need arises – to determine their level of knowledge and awareness about their parents.  73% felt they were informed about their parents’ current health situation, however 31% didn’t know how many medications the parents take; 49% could not name any of the medications;  48% said their parents had medication allergies, but were unable to name any of the allergies; 70% didn’t know their parents’ blood type.  Only 47% knew their parents’ medical history.

Regarding important documents, 36% didn’t know financial information or where to find it; 35% didn’t know if there are advance medical directives, safe deposit box keys, wills or power of attorney or their location; 46% didn’t know health insurance or long term care information; 40% didn’t know the names of their parents’ physicians, attorney or financial advisor.  Two in five future caregivers have never tried to ask their parents for any information.

The result of this survey is the Senior Emergency Kit.  Home Instead Senior Care and Humana Points of Caregiving have developed an information management tool to help family caregivers track medications and other information regarding their parents’ health and financial information.  The kit contains checklists and worksheets for medications, conditions, allergies, doctors, health advisers and a place to store other vital records.  These worksheets can be downloaded from www.caregiverstress.com or www.homeinstead.com.  There is even a wallet-size emergency card designed to contain vital information should emergency treatment be needed.

If a senior is looking for a way to make life easier for their adult children or spouse; what better gift than peace of mind.  The toolkit should be a guide for any adult to keep their records and information in one place. 

Common Myths about Long Term Care

Myth #1: Long-term care is only for the elderly.

Actually, a surprising amount of long-term care services are provided to younger people. The U.S. Government Accountability Office estimates that 40% of the 13 million people receiving long-term care services are between the ages 18 and 64.

Myth #2: I’ll pay for my own long-term care.

In 2009, nursing home costs averaged over $79,000 a year nationally, but in some regions these costs are sometimes twice that amount.

Myth #3: Medicare will cover my long-term care expenses.

Medicare does pay for nursing home care, but only for a maximum of 100 days and if the 3-day qualifying hospital stay requirement has been met. In addition, Medicare will only pay as long as you are showing progress towards recovery. Once your condition becomes stable, even if you are not fully well or
back to a completely healthy state of being, Medicare rules indicate that benefits will stop.

Living Longer Isn’t Enough!

Living your life or just counting the years?  What we really want is to live longer well. Many factors influence how we age.  We cannot control our genes, but we can control our choices.   Fortunately, research reveals it is never too late to make changes that can help you live a longer, healthier life.

Here are ten tips for aging well from the American Geriatrics Society’s Foundation for Health in Aging:

Eat a rainbow: As we age we need fewer calories.  Eat fruits and vegetables with a wide range of colors for more varied nutrients.  Include 2 servings of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids a week.

Avoid falls: Walking 30 minutes, three times a week, can help you stay physically fit, strengthen your bones and lower your fall risk.  Exercises like bicycling, dancing, jogging and water aerobics also help.

Smaller Toasts: Drink less alcohol - 1 drink for men and ½ drink for ladies.  A drink is 1 oz. hard liquor, 6 oz. wine or 12 oz. beer. 

Sleep:  Sleep 7-8 hours a night. If you’re still sleepy during the day, you may have sleep apnea which, untreated, can increase your risk of developing heart disease.

Train Your Brain: Playing computer games, puzzles, socialization and learning new things can help keep your brain sharp.

Enjoy Safe Sex: Studies show that older adults are having more sex.  Unfortunately more are being diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases.  Use protection every time.

Medications Check:  Keep an updated list of all your medications, dosages and frequencies.  You may have many medications prescribed by different doctors. Ask your pharmacist to review them to be sure they don’t interact in harmful ways.

Recognize Depression: 1 in 5 older adults suffer from depression.  Learn the symptoms and seek treatment from your healthcare provider.

Get Your Shots: Protect yourself from illnesses that kill thousands of older adults.  Take the shots for flu, pneumonia, tetanus/diphtheria and shingles.

Be Your Own Advocate:  Find the right doctor. Take a list of your questions and medicines with you. State the real reason for the visit immediately. Then follow their instructions.

Paying for the Care You Need

Once you have realized that you, your parents or a friend may need assistance to remain at home, you have probably discovered that Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance do not pay for non-medical care, such as personal care, light housekeeping, meal preparation, or transportation, provided at home.  The next question is: “I need it, but how will I pay for it?”

There are several options, however one of the most underutilized benefits is the US Military Veteran’s Aid and Attendance program.  Never heard of it?  You’re not alone!  This is an earned benefit for Veterans age 65 or older who served 90 consecutive days on active duty, one day of which was in a time when the country was at war, and received a better than dishonorable discharge.  This is financial help to pay for unreimbursed medical expenses for wartime veterans and their widows.  The widow must not have divorced the veteran or remarried after the veteran’s death.  The veteran must be certified by a doctor as needing assistance with their activities of daily living. 

Tax free benefits range from $1,056 - $1,949 per month based on marital status and adjusted household income.  These funds can be used to meet the veterans’ needs, including non-medical services.  For additional information about the program, call Home Instead Senior Care in Savannah at 912-355-0099 or in South Carolina at 877-855-0098.