Elder Care LP » Services

Driving Ms. Delilah: When is it time to hand over the keys?

eldercare — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:17:51 +0000

When do we need to stop driving? As early adolescents, daydreams of driving start to become more frequent for both males and females. What will it be like to be able to drive and not have to depend on anyone else? Will mom and dad let me have my own car? Will I be able to drive to school every day? There is nothing like that magic day when it arrives and you finally have your license in hand. To be able to go anywhere you want whenever you want. Swing by to pick up friends and then you are off. Did you think to ask yourself how long I will be able to drive? The answer on that day is forever. Fast forward fifty or sixty years, and the answer may be different. Age doesn’t change our desire for freedom and independence, but unfortunately health and physical limitations may. When does it become unsafe for seniors to drive? A recent study by the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine demonstrated that there is not a clear answer to this difficult question. Dr Betz, the author of the study, states that someone in their nineties could be more capable of driving than someone who is in their sixties. It all comes down to your health, mental alertness, reflex time and physical strength. Surprisingly, the study also showed that seniors favor mandatory retesting to renew their driver’s license. Deciding when it is no longer safe for someone to continue driving is an emotional subject that many of us may put off longer than we should.

1. Have you noticed new dings, scratches, or dents on the car?

2. Has your loved one recently been in an accident?

3. Are routine errands like going to the grocery store taking a little longer?

4. Is your senior starting to arrive late for appointments and a little flustered when they do arrive?

We all get lost once in awhile or forget where we are going, but if this begins to happen more frequently your senior may need to stop driving. All of these could be signs that you need to have a conversation about driving safety. Retesting may give you the empirical data that you need to support your suspicions, but you still need to address the emotional loss before you will be able to get them to voluntarily hang up their keys. Encourage your loved one to voice their feelings. Remind them that your primary concern is for their safety and those of others on the road. Many seniors aware that they should no longer be driving continue on because they don’t want to be a burden, fear loss of independence, or feel that there is no other alternative. Before you broach the subject make sure that you have solutions to all of their concerns or protest. Contact your city, church or Senior center for a list of driving alternatives such as public transportation, volunteers or agencies that provide transportation. Have bus schedules and telephone numbers available. Explore solutions like carpooling with other seniors that still drive. Enlist family or friends to be available when your senior needs a ride. Driving grandma or grandpa to appointments can be a great way for grandchildren to strengthen their relationship and pay it forward by providing the same help that they themselves may need one day. If your loved one is still not convinced, consider enlisting the help of their physician or other professionals. As a last resort, you may need to disable the car, such as removing spark plugs, or take their keys.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_18141802

What is Long-Term Care?

eldercare — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:15:40 +0000

You probably know someone who has needed long-term care. Maybe you have witnessed a family
member, friend or colleague struggle with the emotional and financial issues that can come with a long-term care experience. The truth is, no matter when the need arises, because of age, disability, or because of an unexpected illness or accident, long-term care can affect any age group, any social strata, and any geographic location. But what is it and how can you plan for it?

What is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care is help you may need due to a lengthy illness, an unexpected injury or accident, or a severe cognitive disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease. It’s assistance with the everyday tasks, or the activities of daily living (bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, transferring, and continence). Long-term care may be provided in a variety of locations, from nursing homes and assisted living facilities to adult day care centers and even your own home.

Who needs Long-Term Care?
Most of us strive to live active, healthy lives well into our later years, and indeed as a society, Americans are living longer than ever before. This extended longevity is one of the things that drives the growing need for long-term care – the longer we live, the better the odds that we may need long-term care services. It is predicted that in the year 2020, some 12 million older Americans are expected to need long-term care.(1)

While the majority of long-term care services is provided for seniors, a surprising amount of long-term care services are provided to younger people. In fact, the U.S. Government Accountability Office estimates that 40% of the 13 million people receiving long-term care services are between ages 18 and 64.(2)

Who pays for Long-Term Care?
Long-term care can be expensive, financially and emotionally. An unexpected need for long-term care can have a significant impact on a family’s assets and lifestyle. Close to one-fourth of all nursing home costs are paid out-of pocket by individuals and their families.(3)

Many people mistakenly believe that their health insurance will cover the cost of long-term care. Others believe that Medicare or Medicaid will cover long-term care expenses. While Medicare does provide health coverage for seniors, it is limited in the coverage it provides for long-term care. Medicaid will pay for the cost of long-term care, but you must qualify by meeting strict income and asset eligibility requirements.

Long-term care insurance could be a solution. Long-term care insurance can be a very smart way to address the challenges from a long-term care need. Long-term care insurance can help pay for nursing home care, as well as, a variety of home and community based care services. Long-term care insurance may not be for everybody, so if you are considering a policy, read it carefully and be sure to work with an insurance agent who understands long-term care issues.

With long life comes long-term planning. Make a plan for you and your family today. For more information on long-term care insurance, please contact Brian A. Walker, Agent, New York Life Insurance Company at 972-774-2046.

Health Insurance Association of America. A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance. 2007. Page 2
Health Insurance Association of America. A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance. 2007. Page 2
3 Health Insurance Association of America. A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance. 2007. Page 4

The purpose of this piece is solicitation of insurance. An insurance producer (agent) may contact you. New York Life Insurance Company long-term care insurance is issued on policy form series ILTC-5000 and INH-5000 with a state identifier and edition date. Example: Examples: for Idaho ILTC-5000 (ID) (1001) and INH-5000 (ID) (1001) and for North Carolina ILTC-5000 (NC) (Rev. 0606) and INH-5000 (NC) (Rev. 0606) and for Pennsylvania ILTC-5000 (PA) (1001), FLTC-5000 MLP (PA) (0503), for Tennessee ILTC-5000 (TN) (1001) and INH-5000 (TN) (1001) and for Texas ILTC-5000 (TX) (0305) and INH-5000 (TX) (0305). New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

Is Your Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

eldercare — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:12:52 +0000

How do you see your life? Is your glass half full or half empty? Depending on the day, you may be able to make an argument for either glass. Some people perennially see their glass half full or half empty, regardless of what is going on in their life. How you view the world and your life can contribute to your outlook on life. When you are in a good mood and everything is going well, we tend to look for the good, and not notice if things are less than perfect. However, if we have arrived at the moment of asking ourselves, “What else could go wrong?” chances are you will notice everything that is not right in your world regardless of how insignificant. Looking from the outside, you might be envious of friends and family that you think have the perfect life, but rarely is life simple or easy. Many people have made long and short term plans for their lives, only to arrive at a certain age to find that life is nothing like they expected. You can’t change the past, but you can have an effect on the future. If you are not happy with your life, why not try to change it? Decide that every day you are going to find something good that you can be thankful for, no matter how small. Start by writing a few words everyday for what you are thankful for, and then review the list at the end of the week. Chances are you will begin to see things that you had previously overlooked. Look around and find someone else that needs a helping hand. You could volunteer in your community, for a special organization that touches your heart, maybe you have a friend that just needs to talk or get out for a couple of hours. You never know how sending an email or making a phone call can make a difference in the life of someone else. We all have obstacles to overcome, but don’t let the obstacles overcome you. When you stop spending all of your energy concentrating on your problems, you may find that they are not as overwhelming as they first appeared. By looking in unexpected places, you may see a solution that you had never known existed or considered. How you choose to deal with life has an effect on your life ahead.

How I met Agnes and Leonard*

eldercare — Mon, 02 May 2011 03:41:42 +0000

I was on my way home from work and decided to stop at the grocery store to pick up a few things. I noticed an elderly woman parked in the handicapped space struggling to get out of the car as gale force winds repeatedly pushed the door closed. I approached and asked if I could help. She said, “please, I don’t think I’m strong enough to get my husband out of car with our walkers.” It took a few minutes to get two walkers out of the car and then keep Agnes and Leonard* upright and moving forward as they pushed against the wind and made their way into the store. They asked if I would mind if they sat down for a while so they could rest. I didn’t intend to stay with them, but I was having second thoughts as I strained to hear Agnes’s soft voice. While they sat there holding hands I got each of us some coffee and sat down to learn more about this pair. They have been married for 53 years, have 5 children, 39 grandchildren and 2 great grand children. I asked if they had family or someone to help them. No, we have two grandchildren that live in Texas, but not close by. Agnes said she has Parkinson’s and Leonard is just getting old. We all laughed. We take care of each other and most of the time we do OK. I saw Agnes’s head drop a little as she said, “ I’m not as strong as I use to be and sometimes I get behind with the housework and the cooking.” Leonard patted her hand and told her that she does just fine. I suggested that Agnes contact the National Parkinson’s Foundation www.parkinson.org for suggestions and resources to help with her disease. I also recommended that she get in touch with Texas Voice Project 469-375-6500, www.texasvoiceproject.org in Richardson to help preserve her voice. If you need help like Agnes and Leonard*. Elder Care can provide caregivers that will be there to lend you a helping hand. Caregivers will be happy to run errands, drive you to doctors appointments, grocery shopping, or anywhere else you would like to go. They can also prepare meals, do light housekeeping and assist you with dressing and bathing. Contact Elder Care LP 972-279-2011 if you need caregivers to help with personal care.

*Not their real names

Gift Certificates

Kris — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:21:45 +0000

Contact a Elder Care LP team member to help you create an unusual gift that will be remembered forever.

Suggestions to add to your gift of personal care:

Birthdays- cake, flowers, lunch out with friends, a visit to the beauty shop
New Moms- flowers, balloons
Special Occasions- cookies, cupcakes

New Moms

Kris — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:20:48 +0000

If you are a first time or an experienced mom, what can be more exciting than becoming a new mom? As thrilling as it is to be a new mom it can also be very tiring. New moms like babies need to take naps, so they will have the energy to care for their little ones.

Let our caregivers help you with all of those chores and errands that you don’t have time for. We can take care of

Meal Preparation
Light Housekeeping
Grocery Shopping
Much, much more

Need an unusual and extra special gift for a new mom? Give a gift of care to a new mom so she can relax and enjoy her new bundle of joy.

Hospice

Kris — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:20:04 +0000

Having a family member in Hospice is both physically and emotionally draining…

Your Hospice team will take care of all of the medical aspects of your family member’s care. Yet you still want to make sure that your loved one is comfortable and someone is always there if they need assistance.

Let our caregivers be there with them when you can’t be there. We can provide hourly respite care or around the clock care, so that you can also get the rest you need. We can also help with all of the things that you no longer have time for.

Accidents

Kris — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:19:04 +0000

Accidents are always frightening and unexpected. Let our caregivers be there to assist in restoring stability in times of crisis by providing non-medical care for your loved one when the unexpected happens.
Caregivers will stay in the hospital with your loved one when you are unable to be there. After they are discharged from the hospital, a caregiver will be there to help your family member with bathing, dressing, meal preparation and many other tasks so that you can relax, knowing that your loved one is being well cared for. We can also have most medical equipment delivered to the hospital or your home in a matter of hours, so that everything is available when you need it.

Surgery / Illness

Kris — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:17:54 +0000

We realize how difficult it is to care for a loved one, work and juggle other demands of your time. No one wants to be ill or have surgery, but sometimes it cannot be avoided. When this happens, rest is an essential part of the recovery process.
There may also be limitations on the activity level of the patient during the recovery period. For instance, some patients may not be able to drive, shop for groceries, attend physical therapy or pick up prescriptions until they are released by their physicians. Patients may also need assistance with bathing and dressing.

Energy levels could be decreased and patients may not have the strength to cook meals, do laundry or other household chores. Providing assistance during this critical period allows the patient to recover quicker.

Let our caregivers be there to provide an extra level of comfort through out the process. We can provide transportation to and from the hospital, be with you during your stay and then bring you home when you are released. We can also have all pre-ordered medical equipment and supplies waiting for you when you are released from the hospital

Seniors

Kris — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:46:04 +0000

Many seniors want to live independently and not feel like they are a burden to their families. Yet sometimes there are concerns about their ability to perform everyday activities due to a stroke, dementia, loss of strength, vision or mobility. Let Elder Care LP help ease your concerns with hourly or live-in caregivers. With a little extra help most elderly family members can remain independent in their homes, retirement communities, or assisted living facilities. If for some reason your loved one must go to the hospital, rehab facility or assisted living their caregiver will gladly go with them to ease the transition and help with concerns about being in a new environment. There’s no place like home. We believe everyone should be able to live independently.

Caregivers are also available to escort seniors to special occasions such as weddings, parties and other social events. Their caregiver will pick your loved one up at their residence, stay with them during the event and then make sure that they arrive back home.

Here are some of the many activities caregivers can assist with to make life more enjoyable for you and your family:

• Transportation to doctors appointments,
errands, grocery shopping, outings with friends

• Meal preparation

• Medication reminders

• Oral hygiene

• Bathing and dressing

• Eating

• Light housekeeping

• Toileting

• Incontinence care

• Transferring & positioning

• Conversation & Companionship

• Mail management

• Assistance with organization

… as you can see, caregivers from Elder Care LP can help you with anything you want to do during your day. Give us a call at 972-279-2011 if you need help with part or all of your day.