ABC Home Care Services, Inc. presents Elder Living Options

Overview Are you affected? How to determine who needs assistance? How to discuss the situation with your parent(s)? What are your options? Question and Answer session

Are you affected? Nearly 25 % of U.S. households are involved in caring for an elderly family member, spending an average of 20 hours/week. 72% of caregivers are women, mostly wives and adult daughters. Nearly 65% of those caregivers are employed outside of their care giving role. If you are a woman, expect to spend 17+ years raising your children, and 18 years for your parent(s). Nearly 60% of caregivers have or will suffer from depression. Long distance caregivers miss nearly 15 million days of work each year. 80 % of caregivers provide unpaid assistance seven days a week. Long term family care giving takes a significant toll on workers. Lost productivity Absenteeism Interruptions Replacing employees due to elder care. Cost American businesses over $11.4 billion annually.

How to determine who needs assistance? Is there inadequate nutritional intake? Is there spoiled food in the refrigerator? Are there multiple packages of the same type of food or staple? Is there a loss of desire or interest in cooking and/or eating? Are there recent behavior changes? Is there mail piled up or unopened? Is their home as clean and neat as it used to be? Is your loved one more irritable or otherwise moody, teary or sad?

How to determine who needs assistance? Are there memory issues? Are medications being taken too often or not often enough? Are foods left cooking on the stove? Are doctors appointments not being made or forgotten? Are there issues that are repeatedly being discussed? Have the neighbors discussed their concerns regarding your loved one? Is there a sudden increase in the loss of close friends or family members? Are there safety issues? Do they forget or refuse to use their walker or cane? Is there a recent change in dietary intake? Have they had at least one fall in the past three months? Are there noticeable dents or other damages to their vehicle? Are they concerned about having their affairs in order?

How to discuss the situation with your parent(s)? First ask your parent(s) what are their wishes? Discuss with your parent(s) what your perceived safety risks are for them. Review with them their activities of daily living to determine what they may need assistance with in their home. Are all of their needs being met? Or are they being ignored or bandaged? What is your parent(s) current method of transportation? Is it appropriate?

How to discuss the situation with your parent(s)? Is your parent(s) nutritional needs being met? Is there a sudden gain or loss in weight? Is the home able to be maintained properly? What financial resources do they have available to them to provide for their care? Is there long term care insurance? What are their desires for life sustaining measures? Do they possibly qualify for any government assistance?

What are your options? Remain at home. ABC Home Care Services, Inc. Emergency response systems. Meals-on-wheels. Adult day care. Public transportation (Dial-a-ride). Companion care/home caregiver ABC Home Care Services, Inc.

Home Care/Companion Care Allows for independent living in the comfort of the senior’s home. Provides assistance with bathing, dressing, meals, and other activities of daily living. Provides for assistance with transportation, bill paying, appointments, and companionship. Services range from a few hours a day to 24 hours a day, depending on the client’s/family’s needs.

Independent Living Communities Cater to seniors who are very independent with few medical problems. Fully equipped private apartments Frequently there are numerous social activities to choose from for entertainment. May be located on a Continuing Care Retirement Community.

Assisted Living Designed for seniors who may no longer be able to provide independent, safe care for themselves, but may not require the services of a Nursing Home. Provides assistance with medications, activities of daily living, meals and housekeeping. Individual apartment life-style. Most offer scheduled activities and limited transportation. Some offer Memory Care Units. Skilled nursing is available 24 hours a day for safety.

Nursing Homes Also known as Skilled Nursing Facilities, SNFs or SNiFs. Provide services from licensed nurses, 24 hours per day for those requiring a higher level of care. Short-term rehabilitation services are also available. Rooms are typically shared. Meals are served in a central dining room.

Personal Care Homes Typically private homes that serve residents who live together and receive care from care givers who live at the same facility. Provides assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. Rooms are both private and shared depending on the home. Varied types of social activities are also offered.

How to choose which is right? Review information from your discussion with your parent(s). Talk to clergy, friends/neighbors, other family members regarding their choices and recommendations and experience. Visit facilities and ask questions? Talk to the staff and residents regarding how they feel about the facility. If looking at home care, ask about how they screen their employees, training, staffing ratios, rates and minimums. How are the meals at the facility? Ask if you can go to dinner, instead of lunch? Do they accommodate special diets? Always ask questions? If you are concerned about a facility, there are always others out there to see. Do not give up. Help is available. Visit facilities at dinner time and weekends to see if there are staffing differences. Ask the residents how they like the facility, meals, staff. Are their needs being met?

ABC Home Care Services, Inc. Questions and Answers??? ABC Home Care Services, Inc.