Elder Care Home Health Blog » FAQ’s

Do you know your Parent’s _____???

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:39:18 +0000

Have you been on the phone with your parent’s doctor and not know the answers to some of their questions?

Would you know who your parent’s lawyer is?

Do You Know Your Parents?

Funny how we know the “information” & details of the lives of our children, but not of our elderly parents. Whether you think it is an intrusion into their privacy or an infringement of their independence, knowing basic information about your parents can really help in an emergency situation. It’s always better to gather this information when there isn’t a crisis to be dealt with. It’s also the practical and sensible thing to do. All you can do is ask your parents for the information, it can’t hurt, plus they won’t give you information they don’t want to. In fact, there is a chance that they may be relieved and proud to see how much you care. Explain why you are asking for the information, because you do care and want to be prepared in the event such information is needed.

Below is a list of questions you should have answers for in case of an emergency:

Do you know your parent’s birth date?
Do you know your parent’s Social Security and Medicare numbers?
Who their primary physician and other specialists are and their phone numbers?
Do you know your parent’s pharmacy, address and phone number?
Who their lawyer and financial planner are?
Which bank they use?
Where important papers are?
Do they have a power of attorney? Medical Directives?
What their wishes are should they become incapacitated or can not live at home?
Do you know what medications they take? The names, dosage, and what they are for?
Do your parents have a Long Term Care policy? Do you know the policy number?
Do you know details of the policy such as elimination period, daily dollar benefit & other things it may cover like home safety products or Medical equipment?
Do you know their medical history, as least major medical events or disease, surgeries and hospitalizations?
Are they on Medicare or an HMO?
Who is their close friend or neighbor? Who may have a key to their home? What is that person’s phone number?
Do they have a will? Burial plots? Do they wish to make these plans?

This is a checklist to get you started. If you explain to your parent’s the importance of you having this information for peace of mind and safety precautions you may be surprised how eager they are for you to have this information.

You may wish to inquire about Wills, safety deposit boxes and even who they wish to leave sentimental objects to. Finances and questions related to death are very difficult topics to broach. You may find it easier to ask about other things first. As each person and each relationship is unique, perhaps a sibling or one parent is the better choice to ask about and respond to these subjects.

Understanding the Long Term Care Insurance Elimination Period

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:31:48 +0000

What Is The Long Term Care Insurance Elimination Period?

Many of our clients at Boca Home Care Services, Inc. have Long Term Care Insurance. They use their long term care insurance policy when personal care and household assistance following a fall, accident, illness or surgery is needed. The client may be returning home from a hospitalization or Rehab stay, creating a stressful and busy time of coordinating care while recuperating at the same time.

There are a lot of details about long term care insurance that are often overlooked by policy holders. One of the factors related to long term care insurance that is usually forgotten are the provisions surrounding the “Elimination Period”.

What is the Elimination Period?

The long term care insurance elimination period is “waiting period” that the policy holder must wait from the time the claim is made until the policy actually pays out benefits. During the elimination period, the policy holder must pay all costs of care out of pocket.

There are different provisions for elimination periods based on the type of policy you purchase; changes can also be based on the state that you live in. No matter the case, it is extremely important to understand how the elimination period works with respect to your long term care insurance policy.

Understanding Your Policies Elimination Period

It’s not unusual for people to forget that the policy they purchased has an “Elimination Period” which likely lowered their premium payments. However it means home care coverage does not begin right away, but after the “Elimination Period” is met.

Let’s face it, few people remember the terms of their insurance policies. As time goes by, details fade. It’s an expensive “surprise” through which time you must pay out of pocket for the care you need. Adding insult to injury, because usually the most help is needed at the start of care.

“Elimination Periods” can be a few days, a few weeks or even a few months. If you require live-in or substantial care, the costs can be thousands of dollars – you didn’t expect to pay.

Steps to take:

Boca Home Care Services, urges you to familiarize yourself with your Long Term Care Policy BEFORE you need to use it.

• Call your agent or the company and review the terms of your coverage.
If your policy has an “Elimination Period”, plan accordingly.

• Setting funds aside to cover the period you would have to pay out of pocket expenses for your care

• Put together a plan with family, neighbors and friends of who can help with which tasks. If some people can do the shopping, bring in cooked dishes, and take you to appointments, then you may need a Home Health Aide just for personal care such as bathing, dressing, respite time and laundry. In this way, you may be able to manage with only the minimum hours from an Aide.

• Research which food stores, restaurants and pharmacies deliver in your neighborhood.

Lastly, some policies will count days in a Rehabilitation facility and Medicare home health visits towards the “Elimination Period”. Explore these possibilities with your insurer. Ask what paperwork is required to have these Rehab and Medicare visits count.

If you have any Elder Care information or resources that you believe can help our readers, we’d love to share them. Become a Guest Blogger. For more information, contact us.

8 Questions To Ask Your Home Health Care Agency or Nurse

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:59:46 +0000

Questions to ask your home health care company

Periodically, we will be creating short articles that are based on most of the commonly asked questions when it comes to Home Health Care. We hope these articles will help you better understand the process and find the right Home Health Care Provider for you or your loved one.

If you are in the process of finding a home care services agency or if you are considering hiring a home health care nursing aide or a home health care physical therapist or occupational therapist, it is critical to find out their qualifications.

We assembled a list of 8 questions you can ask the home health care agency to ensure that you are choosing the right provider for your needs.

1) What is the background of the home health care company & how long have they been in business?

You want to find a reputable home health agency that has been in business for a number of years and has a successful track record. Most newer home health care agencies haven’t been around long enough to build a proven track record or a list of red flags.

So, it’s important to find out as much information about the company as possible. You can do this by finding information on who owns the company and what role the ownership plays in the type and levels of service.

2) What are the home health care agencies qualifications, certifications, experience and training of their home health aides and nurses?

It’s extremely important to find out about the credentials of the home health aides and nurses that the home care company sends to your home.

Make sure their home health aides and nurses are certified and have received adequate training.

3) How does the home health care agency monitor care and can the family provide feedback?

Find out if there are any quality assurance measures in place. Many home health care agencies periodically visit the home of the client or make regular calls to gather client feedback.

If this is not the case, find out how a family member can provide feedback on the quality of care or who they may contact in the home health care agency to have any questions answered.

4) Are there any home visits or assessments that take place prior to home health care services beginning?

Find out if there are any options available that allow the family members, client and the home health care agency representative to meet prior to the start of services. Most reputable home health care agencies offer free consultations.

5) Does the agency have a current operating license in their respective state or city?

It is important to find out if the home health care agency has a current and valid license to operate in their respective city or state. This often overlooked aspect is the most important factor in choosing a home health care agency.

6) How does the home health care company work with your doctor in developing a plan of care?

Most agencies work directly with your doctor in planning for your care, especially if the client requires care that is beyond the scope of activities related to activities of daily living.

7) Can the home health care company provide references or testimonials?

Most reputable home health care companies can provide references from doctors, nurses, social workers and even clients if requested. They may even have a page on their website that is dedicated to providing this type of information to potential clients.

8) What happens if a home health aide or nurse is absent from the agency on a particular day?

If the home health care provider is required to take a day off for illness or another emergency, what type of protocol is put in place by the home health care company to cover the absence?

There are usually plans put in place to ensure that the client receives that continuity of care in the event of an absence by their home care provider or nurse.

If you have any Elder Care information or resources that you believe can help our readers, we’d love to share them. Become a Guest Blogger. For more information, contact us.

Choosing the Right Care Manger

admin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:51:51 +0000

The Importance of Choosing The Right Geriatric Care Manager

The Importance of Choosing The Right Geriatric Care Manager

Periodically, we will be creating short articles that are based on most of the commonly asked questions when it comes to Home Health Care. We hope these articles will help you better understand the process and find the right Home Health Care Provider for you or your loved one.

With the American population aging—(just wait till 2021 when the first Boomers turn 75) our parents are living longer than ever before. With advanced age, often comes disease and frailty which leads many elderly needing care and or becoming caregivers. Florida is still a top retirement destination which means many seniors have moved away from their sons, daughters and other family.

When an elderly parent needs help, whether because of a fall or dementia the adult child is usually too far away to give hands on, in home care. Long distance caregiving, especially in a crisis is frustrating, tiring and usually less effective.

A growing field within Social Work is professional Geriatric Care Management (GCM). This person is trained to assess an older person’s functioning, need for level of care, social network, finances, and safety, and memory, psychological and emotional states of mind. They act as a liaison to the family caregiver, usually son or daughter. Following an assessment with report, they will help to fulfill the plan of care. They will visit the older adult regularly and communicate with the son or daughter. This will include going to doctor’s visits and being an advocate for the senior.

Choosing the right GCM is like choosing most other professionals. There needs to be a “click” between the GCM, you and your parent. Ask about their credentials (usually a Master’s in Social Work and other certification), years of experience with situations similar to your parent’s. Where they are located? What their rates are and what the rate includes or doesn’t include? Who covers their cases when they are away? Are they insured?

You may also want to know how long they have been in the community and who are some of the other professionals in their network? Your GCM is going to be your family’s guide to Elder Care Services, Home Health Care, benefits, legal advice, and so forth.

If you have any Elder Care information or resources that you believe can help our readers, we’d love to share them. Become a Guest Blogger. For more information, contact us.

My Aging Parent is Discharged From the Hospital, What Happens Next?

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 10:17:05 +0000

Hospital Discharge & Home Health Care Options

Is Home Health Care Next Upon Hospital Discharge?

It is good to be leaving the hospital. It means you are getting better, and leaving a germ filled environment. Elderly patients may either be discharged home not needing care, discharged home with an order for Medicare home health care services, medical equipment and a recommendation for a private home care aide or go to rehab before returning home.

Periodically, we will be creating short articles that are based on most of the commonly asked questions when it comes to Home Health Care. We hope these articles will help you better understand the process and find the right Home Health Care Provider for you or your loved one.

The hospital discharge planner or Social Worker is usually the person making the aftercare plans for the patient’s discharge from the hospital. They will usually follow the doctor’s order. This hospital doctor may or may not be your mother or father’s primary physician. In any case, the choice of home care whether Medicare home health or a private health care agency/company is that of the senior themselves. It is patient choice which dictates the home health care provider.

If you or your aging parent has had home care before and like their homecare provider they should tell the discharge planner. Usually the patient or family member will rely on the doctor’s opinion.

If your parent or elderly relative is already working with a home care service and like their aide let the D/C planner know the company’s name. Otherwise, you are likely to get a new agency.

If you have any Elder Care information or resources that you believe can help our readers, we’d love to share them. Become a Guest Blogger. For more information, contact us.