The protests that are raging in Madison are being done by public sector unions who oppose the new governor’s plan to balance the state budget. Both sides know the budget crisis is big and something must be done. He wants to cut back on the meaty benefits package that many state employees are getting, which are in many cases far higher than private employees. And he wants to make sure this does not happen again by limiting their ability to collectively bargain. That really set off many of his constituents, especially the public school teachers, and the protests began. Thousands came to the Madison capitol steps, and sparked a nation wide debate on how best to get our finances under control

The purpose of this article is not to splice the labor issues, but to consider the larger issue of what a budget crunch is going to mean for senior care across the country. Here is the reality: we are broke. As a nation, and as individual states. Legislators, governors and presidents have been authorizing new spending bills left and right, but there is not enough money coming in to cover them.

Here’s one article from the Orlando Chronicle that explains the dilemma. As you can see, this is not a Republican / Democrat issue, but a mathematical one. Nobody knows how to predict where the cuts will come exactly, or how deep, but they are going to come. And baby-boomers who are going to be seniors soon would be wise to consider how to best find affordable health care when they need to retire.

Here is why: it costs a state around $6,000 per month in Medicare funds to care for a patient in a nursing home. Naturally, this figure adds up very quickly. As states are looking for places to cut spending, they will not overlook this. And I expect they will turn to cheaper options, like Home Health Care.

Senior Home Care: Is it the Future?

Home Health Care agencies are popping up all over the country, both because many seniors would prefer to stay home then move into a senior care facility, and because home care is generally cheaper than assisted living, which patients usually pay for themselves. This trend is likely to continue as states buckle down on their budgets. If they can affordably take care of Assisted Living patients who need help with activities for daily living, could they also conceivably care for nursing home patients in their own home and save lots of money doing it?

They will certainly look into it, and if you are in this position, you really should consider it, too. Whether you are fitting the bill yourself, or Uncle Sam is helping out, home health care companies are figuring out ways to be more efficient than other forms of care for elders.

Here’s the story. In this case, the caregiver was a woman who pretended to cozy up to the wealthy man and start a romance. She was 58 years old. As he grew to trust her, he asked her to go buy a new car for him, which she could drive him around in. So he gave her the money. Thirty grand.

She bought the car, all right! She bought it, and put it in her name…

Thankfully, this time, the woman did not get away with it. She was arrested, tried and convicted for her fraud, and she even has to pay the money back in restitution. Justice has happened!

But the issue raises a larger issue in my mind: How do you choose a caregiver that you can trust? After all, this story took place in an Oregon assisted living home, but seniors who get home health care from an agency or an individual are far more vulnerable, even. When a person begins to get to know them, to understand how they operate, they could be very easy prey for a scam artist. It could happen through a false romance, but more likely, it could happen in far more subtle ways. A credit card disappearing. Old jewelry, lying around, is suddenly gone. Or it could happen in the most drastic ways of all: the caregiver winds up in the will of the senior, receiving lavish gifts. And the family can do nothing.

So stay tuned for our series, “Finding the right Caregiver.”

That is why this idea makes me so happy. Recently, the Marquis Home Health company began something called the “New Chapters Program.” It seems to be rooted in this value system. Seniors should not simply be taken care of, they should be listened to. They still have hopes and dreams. They have things they are passionate about. And far too often, they believe that all of these are out of reach. The New Chapter Program sets this notion straight.

This program is initiated by the employees of Marquis Home Health. Employees listen to their patients, trying to understand what makes them tick. And when they are able, they try to step in and help them “turn a page” in their life. To start a new chapter in their life.

For instance, there was one man who used to love skiing. It was a major part of of his growing up. But today, he lives in an Oregon assisted living community, and he has multiple sclerosis. So obvkously, skiing is out of the question, right?

Wrong.

The good folks at Marquis Home Health helped him take to the slopes again, even in his condition. Here is a picture:

This particular story can be found here at an Oregon news site.

Another woman wanted to turn a page in her life by getting into the digital age. Marquis bought her a laptop. She was overjoyed!

Don’t mistake this program for a version of the “Make a Wish” program. These residents aren’t dying. They simply want to begin a new phase of life. And the program validates their wishes. And by doing this, they show how much they value these seniors.

We think that’s awesome.

This should not come as any surprise. There are forty million seniors in the United States, and that number will skyrocket in the coming years. Besides, the economy is making it difficult for many families to seek out assisted living communities, which tend to be a bit more expensive than home care solutions.

Anyway, home health agencies are finding success in the same way that residential assisted living homes are. Many seniors want to be in a home setting. Their home, if possible. Those who do not have chronic medical needs, but simply need help with ADL’s like dressing themselves or moving around the house do not necessarily need full time care. They need someone there at certain hours of the day, and it does not necessarily have to be a nurse.

Here’s an example of one agency: Senior Helpers. This company (#52 on the fastest growing franchise list) hires nurses and caretakers around the country and places them in the homes of residential clients. Portland residents can find them online at www.seniorhelpers.com/portland. Others just go to their main homepage.

Home health agencies meet the needs of seniors and their in these positions well. They do the hiring of caretakers, which always includes a background check. They take care of the paperwork. You don’t have to be an employer. You’re a client. And all you need to do is work with the agency.

It’s a fine solution for a growing number of Americans who need elderly care. And it makes good sense why people are opting for agencies rather than starting their own homecare businesses by default.

Caregivers should know, first of all, whether they can claim their aging loved one as a dependent on their return. This would require that their loved one is unable to care for himself, and that he lives in their house and is under their 24 hour care. There are other stipulations obviously, but they are worth looking into for any caregiver. Why? Because the potential tax return could be worth it. Caregivers incur a lot of expenses that normal people do not. Oftentimes, many of those expenses can be claimed on their return. Caregivers really ought to look into this possibility.

Second, the article advises seniors who plan to file independently to seek out help from a tax aide volunteer. Many volunteers help out with the AARP Tax Aide program. This begins at the start of February, and it is free of charge, since most senior returns are relatively straight forward. More complex filers might have to hire out professional tax counselors instead.

Anyway, the over all point is this: taxes are not fun, but there is relief out there. Relief for the filer and for the family!

To find elder care services in your area, click the A Place For Mom banner to the right!

Clearing walkways inside the home is also a good idea. Avoid placing short decor on the floor where they could easily be overlooked and tripped over. Keep a sturdy arm chair handy for grandpa to plop down in for activities.

2. Prepare a feast that includes everyone on the guest list.
Many seniors are on restritcted diets for health reasons, and must stick to them even on special occasions. Check with your elderly guests beforehand to make sure you will have something everyone can eat. Allowing guests to add their own salt or making a sugar free pie may be in order if your guests are on a low-sodium diet or are diabetic. Finding out before the feast may save you some last minute preparation or embarrassment!

3. Plan memorable family activities
For many elderly guests, the highlights of holidays are spending time with family, and remembering past traditions. Ask Aunt Betsy to help the kids with a holiday craft or direct cookie decorating. Ask Grandpa to direct a family treasure hunt with mixed-aged teams, and clues, and prizes for everyone. Grandma may be thrilled to wind up the fun with a family traditional story, song, or reading. Providing the opportunities for healthy, fun, bonding interactions is the first step in creating precious memories for everyone and honoring your elderly loved ones in the process.

These three steps are an incredible way to get you thinking. Are there any special needs to consider that will health the holiday celebration go smoother and be safer for your elderly guests? What family activities would work for your family? How can you include beloved traditions your elderly loved ones have cherished or create new traditions that pull everyone closer together? Time spent answering these questions will be worth every smile and precious memory created at your house during these upcoming holidays.

Finding Oregon Elder Care

Of course, if health is a big concern, you might need to consider a full time nursing home or a high level residential care home that is staffed by a registered nurse. These are intensive forms of assisted living that understand their role to watch over the patient and fight whatever is ailing them.

You can find out more about all of these forms of elder care right here on this site. Once you figure out exactly what you need, I encourage you to get a helping hand in the process by clicking on the banner below. There, you can gain access to a massive database of Oregon Elder Care facilities, and can get help from an elder care advisor.

Earlier this year, a friend of mine was battling like crazy with breast cancer. I did not see her for months, and when our families got together finally, she was in a wheel chair. The cancer had spread to her brain, and everywhere else. In a couple of weeks, she had a seizure and was bed ridden. When the doctor suggested to my friend that they look into hospice care, we were uneasy. After all, hospice care workers do not fight diseases. They do not try to cure cancer. Rather, they try to make a patient comfortable. They try to care for their spiritual and emotional health, and try to make the pain manageable. Sometimes, patients are able to move back into their home where they can be most comfortable.

Does that sound like giving up on a miracle? Because many people believe in miracles. They think if they keep fighting, then God will come through for them.

But if you think hospice care might work for you, don’t give in to that thinking. You’re not giving up on a miracle. If God can heal your senior loved one in a hospital room, he can heal at home, too. Hospice care is a different battle field, and that’s all.

Are you looking for hospice care in Oregon?

Find it here.

Insomnia affects countless millions of Americans each year. It is not a disease, per se, but it is a condition which prevents individuals of any and every demographic from living a full, rich life. And, as is the case with so many other conditions, senior citizens are affected worse than most.

Senior insomnia can be caused by a million different factors, and s often treated with just as many strategies. The emotional and physical challenges that seniors face are oftentimes more intense, and even with sleep aids, the problems can continue for a very long time.

So what can we do to help our seniors get some sleep? The best place to start might also be the simplest: exercise.

It might sound too silly or obvious to be true, but physical exercise can be the best friend of anyone who wants to sleep. Why? Well for starters, because it exhausts the body. Running, tennis, or even walking can dispel that pesky pent up energy that can keep a senior’s mind from racing when it ought to be resting.

But the benefit is not just physical. Emotionally, exercise can increase the feeling of wellness in any person, let alone a senior struggling with insomnia. It is undeniable: people who exercise on a regular basis on average feel better about themselves and better about life. This is not a coincidence. Exercise produces natural endorphins that make people feel better. They are more confident, and they are happier knowing they are helping their body instead of working against it.

All of those effects work positively for seniors battling insomnia. By getting regular workouts, seniors can increase the feeling of helplessness, sadness and depression. And at night time, this can translate to deeper, less interrupted sleep.

So before you encourage mom or dad to grab a prescription for sleeping pills, get them some walking shoes instead. It might help them sleep easier.

They were both pleasantly surprised. My mom found support and encouragement from other care givers, and my dad was encouraged to find others facing the same challenges and pushing through them.

So why join a elder care support group?

Support groups are like a gold mine, giving you the chance to meet with other people who have done the legwork in your local area and found resources close to home such as doctors, caregiver support, social and community events, and educational or informational classes on your particular disease or related care topics. Patients and their family members can pass on names of highly recomended doctors as well as which medical providers to avoid.

In addition to being an excellent informational resource, support groups can provide emotional stability and encouragment, a safe and healthy arena to process through the difficulties of having a terminal illness or the challenges of providing care for someone who has a terminal illness. Knowing that you’re not alone, that there are others who understand what you’re going through can be so encouraging.