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Easing the Financial Burden for Senior Care in Napa County, California

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (2)

23 May

Frank M. Samson

Providing senior care for a loved one can be overwhelming both emotionally and financially. According to the 2009 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, median annual costs for various types of senior care in the Bay Area can reach burdensome levels:

Adult Day Care – $20,410 annually – based on eight hours a day, five days a week.

In-Home Services – Assistance with activities of daily living, including dressing, personal hygiene, bathing, etc. – $52,634 annually, based on 44 hours a week.

Assisted Living Facility –$39,960 annually – private one-bedroom

Nursing Homes – $82,125 – semi-private, and $102,018 – private, annually

I hear stories daily from adults regarding the financial challenges associated with providing their aging parents with assistance. Such assistance may be provided at home, assisted living facilities, residential care homes or nursing homes. As they go through the process, seniors commonly say, “I do not want to be a burden on my kids as I age.” I’ve highlighted below some of the options that will help pay, fully or partially, for needed assistance or care:

Medicare/Medi-Cal

Most private health insurance plans follow the same general rules as Medicare. If any long-term care is covered, it is usually for only skilled, short-term and medically necessary care. Homecare is limited only to medically necessary skilled care. Custodial or personal care is not covered by health insurance. The coverage in a skilled nursing facility must follow a hospital stay and is limited up to 100 days. If you meet Med-Cal’s financial eligibility status, you must select a skilled nursing facility that accepts Medi-Cal.

Long Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance could be the best investment one can make. Unless medically necessary, you can avoid skilled nursing facilities by residing at assisted living facilities, residential care homes or at a home with the needed in-home care. This type of insurance makes it much easier to cope with most otherwise uncovered health issues as you get older.

Long-term care insurance should be as important as your healthcare insurance, life insurance and homeowner’s insurance. Generally, long-term care is needed for conditions that cannot be cured or healed, and for helping people with routine activities such as dressing, bathing, transferring, continence care, toileting and eating. Long-term care insurance extends for a long period of time, covering care for various types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Long-term care insurance, which can reduce the burden from your family and your peace of mind, should be a very serious consideration.

Life Insurance

There are various ways you can use your life insurance to help pay for long term care, including accelerated death benefits, viatical settlements and life settlements.

Accelerated Death Benefit – An accelerated death benefit is a life insurance death benefit paid in cash in advance, tax free.

Life Settlements – Life settlements give you the ability to raise cash by selling your life insurance policy at its present value. The proceeds may be used for any reason including paying for long term care.

Viatical Settlement – This settlement allows you to sell your life insurance policy to a third party and use the money your receive to pay for your care. This option is only possible if you are terminally ill.

Veterans Aid and Attendance

The aid and attendance pension benefit offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs may be available to wartime veterans and surviving spouses who have in-home care or who live in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. The current monthly benefit can be up to $1,948.

Though there are minimum qualifications, I have listed the prerequisites for review below:

* Served in the military during time of war, or spouse.

* Have less than $80,000 in investments excluding home/car. Note: There are other options still to consider if this wasn’t checked.

* Monthly income less than the monthly cost of care including prescriptions. Need help from others in one or more of activities of daily living.

* If surviving spouse, married to the veteran at the time of death.

* Have sufficient resources to pay for care while awaiting a decision from the VA – may take up to four to 12 months.

As you can see, while providing senior care for your loved one may be emotionally and financially challenging, there are a variety of available options to substantially ease the burden.

Frank M. Samson is Founder of Senior Care Authority based in Sonoma The company provides free assistance to families in helping them find in-home care, independent and assisted living for their loved ones. He can be reached at 707.939.8744 or frank@seniorcareauthority.com. The company Web site is http://www.seniorcareauthority.com.

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The Truth About Long-Term Care-Learn More in Contra Costa County, California

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (0)

05 May

By Frank Samson

As I advise people on care options for their family members, most are surprised to learn about various nuances of insurance coverage as well as the various long term care options available.

See if you can answer these True or False statements.

1) T or F – There are approximately 25 licensed assisted living locations in Sonoma County.

2) T or F – Insurance coverage for Homecare is limited only to medically necessary skilled care.

3) T or F – Fewer than 15 percent of the elderly needing care live in nursing homes.

4) T or F – Most of our parents prefer to stay at home and it is the best place for them.

5) T or F – Medicare does not pay for long-term care.

6) T or F – The leading cause of death among seniors (65 years +) are falls.

7) T or F – In order to be eligible for Medi-Cal, you must exhaust your financial assets and have very limited income.

8. T or F – Less than ten percent of personal care costs in the U.S. are paid by private long-term care insurance.

9) T or F – Long-term care insurance are not for those who are financially secure.

10) T or F – The highest percentage change for cause of death is Alzheimer’s disease.

ANSWERS:

1. False. There are nearly 200 assisted living locations (Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly) in Sonoma County. Options range from small, family Residential Care Homes to larger, full-service communities with hundreds of residents.

2. False. Though non-medical homecare is not covered by health insurance, some is covered by long-term care insurance. Non-medical or personal assistance may be help eating, bathing, or going to the bathroom. It may be a ride to the doctor or the grocery store, or help balancing a checkbook or cooking dinner.

3. True. Most of us get this care at home or in the home of an adult child or relative, not in a nursing home. In fact, nearly 80 percent of the frail elderly and the disabled live at home.

4. False. Of course each situation is different, but living at home can be lonely and often dangerous. If your mom or dad needs lots of help, there are several options which also may be less expensive than staying at home in a potentially unsafe environment.

5. True. Neither will Medicare Supplement insurance. These programs will pay only for limited nursing home or home health care, and only after a patient is discharged from the hospital.

6. True. In 2006, there were 16,650 fall-related deaths or 37% of all deaths among the elderly. In 2007, 3,134,935 seniors experienced an injury. Most seniors were injured by a fall: 1,927,766 seniors or about 62% of all senior injuries.

7. False. The misconception is you have to spend all your money to qualify for Medi-Cal. This isn’t always true. You may be able to protect your assets by utilizing different legal trusts such as special needs trust, irrevocable trust or a revocable living trust. However, once qualified for Medi-Cal, there are limited long-term care options.

8. True. More than 80 percent of Americans have health insurance, usually through their jobs or from Medicare. Yet only seven percent of us have long-term care coverage. That is the real crisis of the uninsured.

9. False. Long-term care insurance is extremely important for those at any income level. On average, Assisted Living costs are $40,000 per year and Nursing Homes average $82,000 per year. A Long-term insurance option is part of the new Health Reform Plan called The CLASS Act which will offer only minimum coverage, but it’s a start.

10. True. Between 2000-2006, Alzheimer’s disease had a 47.1% increase as cause of death. All other major causes of death decreased – Heart disease (-11.5%), Breast cancer (-0.6%), Prostate cancer (-14.3%), Stroke (-18.1%).

Frank M. Samson is Founder of Senior Care Authority based in Sonoma and also hosts “The Aging Boomers” on KSVY every Monday at 2pm beginning May 3rd. The company provides free assistance to families in helping them find In-Home Care, Independent and Assisted Living for their loved ones. He can be reached at 707.939.8744 or e-mailed at frank@seniorcareauthority.com. The company website is http://www.seniorcareauthority.com.

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What Does “Aging in Place” Really Mean for Sonoma County, California Seniors?

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (0)

27 Apr

By Frank M. Samson

Most people want to live independently as long as possible, but many of the baby boomers today are dealing with a parent or loved one who needs care at some level. This can range from everyday tasks such as meal preparation, assistance with errands, driving to doctors or to activities.

The need may also arise for assistance to move into a retirement or independent living community, assistant-living facility or even a nursing home. It is essential to communicate with an elderly parent or loved one about the various care options should the need arise.

The term “Aging in Place” is a term being used in the senior care industry for helping someone live at home instead of considering other options. Of course, most seniors want to stay in their own home, but the family must consider safety as the number one priority. If the answer to one or more of the following questions is “yes,” it may likely indicate that your loved one may need more assistance:

* Have there been medication mistakes?

* Has wandering away from home occurred?

* Is there weight loss due to lack of food and/or fluid?

* Have there been falls?

* Has the stove or toaster oven been left on?

* Is there a need for nighttime supervision?

* Is there a need for daytime supervision if alone for an extended period of time?

Care options include:

Home with Family

Caring for a senior in your home is a difficult job. You must have tremendous inner-strength, and also admit you cannot do it alone. Failing to do so will exacerbate an already difficult situation, but with the help of others, care-giving can become a much smoother process.

Safety precautions must be taken. Though falls can be prevented, they are still the number one cause of injury to a senior at home. It would be wise to have a professional who deals with design and safety advice for the elderly come to your home. This could prevent serious injuries or even death.

In-Home Care

The in-home non-medical area of health care has been one of the fastest growing new businesses throughout the country. There are dozens of companies and hundreds of independent caregivers in the North Bay alone. Examples include assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming, driving to appointments, light housekeeping, laundry, shopping, preparing meals, companionship and more daily tasks.

Since these companies or individuals are not required by California to be licensed, it is imperative a thorough analysis takes place to make sure you are dealing with a reputable organization. Some of the areas to consider include but are not limited to:

* Client Reference checks

* Background checks of caregivers

* Cost comparisons

* Are caregivers employees of a company or independent contractors – which could have some implications

* Location of company and/or caregivers

* Language barriers

If you are turning over the responsibility to someone to take care of your loved one, get the advice of a professional in the industry or make sure you do your research.

Independent Living Communities

These are senior housing or senior communities whose residents are at least 55-60 years of age and are in good overall health. For a loved one who is able to live by himself or herself this can be a great alternative choice. These communities are set up to keep residents active and safe. Residents will not have the usual worries, which come with the burden of owning a home. Again, seek the advice of a professional who works closely with the elderly and understands their needs.

Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes

Assisted living is probably the most misunderstood of the various senior care options. Many associate assisted living with nursing homes, but there are distinguishable differences. Nursing homes are skilled nursing facilities for those who need 24-hour medical attention. This is for those with chronic medical conditions who need skilled, long-term care, and also for short-term recovering patients after a hospital discharge.

Assisted living, on the other hand, is for those who cannot live at home anymore and need help with basic activities of daily living to more specialized areas including dementia care. There are many options available in assisted living including a range from small, family residential homes to facilities with multiple levels of care.

These homes and communities are licensed facilities by the state of California. The key is to find the right type of place for your loved one depending on their personality and needs. The right assisted living facility will provide a warm and safe environment with the hope of even improving their physical and emotional conditions.

Frank M. Samson is Founder of Senior Care Authority based in Sonoma. The company provides free assistance to families in helping them find in-home care, independent and assisted living for their loved ones. He can be reached at 707.939.8744 or frank@seniorcareauthority.com. The company Web site is http://www.seniorcareauthority.com.

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How to Help Aging Parents Who Are Unsafe in Their San Rafael, California Home

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (0)

22 Apr

Here is a great article that demonstrates how difficult it can be to convince an aging parent it is no longer safe to live at home. Let Senior Care Authority help your aging loved with senior living placement in Solano, Napa, Marin, Sonoma, and Contra Costa Counties, California.

How Do I Get Dad Out of His Cluttered, Unsafe Home?

by Carol Bradley Bursack

People want to stay in their own homes. You hear it and read about it all the time. And there’s some merit to that. Most of us can relate to the fact that relocating is emotionally charged. Add the fact that our parents get sick and tired of suffering the indignities of aging and often feel bossed around by everyone from the government to their kids, and you can understand why they often get stubborn. Where they live may be, in their minds, their “last stand.”

Many elders do well in their homes. They graciously accept the help they need, have cleaning people come in, and are even able to throw away the old newspapers that are piling up in the corner. They are content with adding some safety measures and feel cozy with a bit of clutter.

Then there’s the other side. Many seniors are living in the same home they raised their children in. These homes are modest, but worked well for raising their family and even for the early empty nest years. Often, however, they are two-story cottages, with the bedrooms and the only bathroom up a long flight of stairs. They have small closets and full basements, generally stuffed to the rafters with things they’ve forgotten but feel they can’t live without.

10 Tips to Help Santa Rosa and Petaluma, California Seniors Move

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (0)

17 Apr

10 Tips to Help Older Adults Move

Older Adults Need Extra Care During a Move

1. Be kind. This may seem like a given. However, when helping to sort and pack their things, keep in mind that their eyesight and an inability to do everything they used to do can result in poor housekeeping habits. Instead of commenting, offer to clean as you pack and try not to criticize.

2. Help sort. Like all of us, seniors tend to keep things they don’t necessarily need or will ever use. Be gentle when suggesting to get rid of possessions. Ask them if they use the item and if they would mind if you donate it. If it’s a treasure or something they’d like to keep but the new space can’t accommodate it, suggest keeping it in the family by giving it to a grandchild or another sibling. It’s often easier to give away items if they’re are going to a good home.

Strategies for Helping Your Aging Parent Choose a Retirement Community in Sonoma, California

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (0)

11 Apr

Here is a great article I wanted to share. Visit us at www.seniorcareauthority.com for help with an aging loved one in the Sonoma, CA area.

Ten Strategies For Helping Your Aging Parent Choose a Retirement Community

By Sheri Samotin

So, the day you’ve been dreading has come. You, and perhaps your siblings, have decided that Mom or Dad simply can’t live in their home a moment longer. For whatever reason, moving in with one of the kids isn’t an option. It’s time to find the right place for the next chapter. If you are like many adult children of aging parents, your parent doesn’t agree with your decision, and thinks he can stay at home just fine. She doesn’t want to hear about moving into a “facility.” And you feel, well, guilty. Sound familiar? Here are my top ten strategies for choosing (or helping to choose) a retirement living option for or with your aging parent.

1. Scout ahead of time – In most communities, there are many options for independent or assisted living. If you’ve gone to look at colleges with your teenager (or remember doing it yourself) you’ll know exactly what I mean. It can be overwhelming to figure out what you need and what you want. If it’s hard for you, imagine how it will be for your Mom or Dad. Spare everyone, by doing the leg work alone.

2. Understand the math – Money does matter. Your parent’s resources (and maybe yours) will determine the range of available options. For example, if your parent has a house or condo to sell that is worth more than its mortgage, or if there is long-term care insurance available and your parent meets the criteria for it to kick in, then you may be in a very different situation from another family where the only resource is a monthly social security check. You’ll do everyone a favor by crunching the numbers ahead of time to figure out how much can be spent each month, and what has to be included in that number. Most communities provide a handy worksheet that will help you understand all of the factors that go into this calculation. Don’t confuse the issue by bringing your parent to see a place that is outside of your family’s means.

3. Narrow the choices to no more than three or four using the Five S method – Once you have a list of possibilities that are within your budget and in the geographic area you desire, it’s time to narrow the choices to a few where you think Mom or Dad will be happiest. I suggest you use the Five S method, considering size, sights, sounds, smells, and services. What you are really doing is looking for a good match based on a sixth “S” – similarities. You are looking for a place where the residents are as similar to your parent as possible in terms of age, activity level, mental acuity, hobbies and interests, and socio-economic factors. After all, we all feel most comfortable in an environment where we feel comfortable and accepted.

4. Size – Will your Mom or Dad be more comfortable in a larger community with many residents or a smaller, more intimate setting? Can your parent still get around reasonably well, or will a large campus become frustrating? Is your parent likely to take advantage of the facilities that might be available in a larger community, or due to his or her physical or mental state will these amenities likely go unused? Will the size of the living unit work for your parent? For example, for many women, having a full kitchen is very important, even if they will receive two meals each day as part of their living package. They think they will still be cooking, because they always have and this is one important way they feel as though they are still in control. On the other hand, many men are sure they need a “den” or “office” within their living unit and won’t hear of moving into a space that doesn’t. It is very important for you to understand this psychology as you are looking at alternative living units.

5. Sights – The classic line I hear when an aging parent comes to visit an independent or assisted living community is, “Everyone here is old!” In fact, sometimes that’s true. Some communities cater to an older crowd with more physical limitations, so you’ll see lots of walkers and wheelchairs. Other communities attract younger, more physically active residents where jackets and ties at dinner are expected. You’ll also find that there are distinct differences in the “look and feel” from one residence to the next. Some have a homey feel, while others look like upscale hotels or even cruise ships! And still others give a more clinical or medical impression. Ask yourself whether you can “see” your parent in a particular community. Take the time to notice the details, especially in the public spaces.

6. Sounds – When you first enter the community, is there a hush, or do you hear a loud television set? Or perhaps, you hear ringing phones and beepers, much like you would in a hospital. Do you get the impression that the residents are socializing, gathering, and participating in activities?

7. Smells – Try to visit about a half hour before mealtime, and notice the smell. Is it appealing? When you are in the living areas, does it look and smell clean? Does there seem to be a strong “air freshener” odor everywhere that might be used to mask less than optimal cleaning? Our sense of smell is a fabulous clue to what’s really going on.

8. Services – Some communities offer a continuum of care, so that residents can come into an independent living situation and then move to assisted living, skilled nursing, or a memory unit if and when that care is needed. This can be ideal if your parents are both moving in and one needs more care than the other, or if your parent suffers from a condition that you know will progress over time. You’ll also want to look at the service offerings that are available to help your parent with activities of daily living, transportation, physical therapy, etc. Finally, take a close look at the social calendar since one of the huge benefits of community living for seniors is the amount of interaction with others which helps to keep them active and alert.

9. Ask for and check references – Before you decide that a particular community is on the short list, be sure to ask for and check a few references. Ask for permission to talk with the family members of two or three current or recent residents. When you have these conversations, don’t be shy about asking some tough questions, especially if there is anything on your mind about what you have observed.

10. Visit with your parent – Finally, it’s time to bring your parent around on a tour of the three or four best options. Only have them visit communities that fit their needs and budget and that you feel good about. If at all possible, it’s best to let your parent make the final decision about which community and which living unit will be their new home.

Once you have arrived at a decision, it is important that you move ahead with it quickly. As the saying goes, “time kills all deals”, and this one is no exception. You, or your parent, will always be able to come up with a reason why now isn’t the right time for this move. But the truth is, if you have reached the point where you have even started visiting communities, you probably know in your heart that this move really is in your parent’s best interest.

Sheri Samotin is a Certified Professional Coach and the founder of LifeBridge Solutions, LLC. Sheri brings more than 25 years of business and management experience to helping baby boomers and their aging parents navigate life’s transitions. LifeBridge Solutions offers family transition coaching, daily money management, household transition services, and estate administration support. Sheri is a member of the International Coach Federation, the American Association of Daily Money Managers, and the National Association of Senior Move Managers. Please visit our website to register for our e-newsletter or sign up for our Family Transition blog.

http://www.LifeBridgeSolutions.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheri_Samotin

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Categories : Assisted Living Sonoma California (CA), Elder Care Sonoma California (CA), Home Care Sonoma California (CA), Nursing Homes Sonoma California (CA), Senior Care Authority Sonoma California (CA), Senior Living Sonoma California (CA), Senior Placement Services Sonoma California (CA), Walnut Creek

Welcome to Our New Senior Living and Placement Services Blog for Sonoma, California

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (0)

02 Apr

Hello and welcome to our new blog for Sonoma CA seniors and families! Here is a bit about Frank Samson, founder of Senior Care Authority.

Prior to starting an innovative Senior Care company, Frank was a veteran of the travel industry for 34 years.

Most recently, he operated a company specializing in the design of customized luxury vacations around the globe. Prior to that, Frank was the founder and president of InHouse Travel Group in Chicago that he franchised in 1995 and grew to 200 franchises within a 3-year period. The company was listed as one of the “Fastest Growing Franchises” in Entrepreneur Magazine. He sold the business to a company in California, which brought he and his family to this area.

Frank has had a passion for senior care since having to care for family members and personally experience the challenges that face families today. After several years of researching the health care industry, he began a company by the name of Senior Care Authority, which has already helped many families throughout northern California

Frank resides in Sonoma with his wife Michele and has a married daughter and a soon to be married son.

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Tags : Assisted Living Sonoma California (CA), Elder Care Sonoma California (CA), Home Care Sonoma California (CA), Independent Living Communities Sonoma California (CA), Nursing Homes Sonoma California (CA), Senior Care Sonoma California (CA), Senior Living Sonoma California (CA), Senior Placement Services Sonoma California (CA), Senior Services Sonoma California (CA)