A Stroke Under Observation

July 27, 2015Aging Life Care Professionals, Care ManagersMedicare, Observation Status, Stroke Callie Daters

by Beverly Bernstein Joie, MS, CMC, Aging Life Care Association™ Member

One Professional’s Personal Experience with Medicare Observation Status

My husband, Dan, came home from work on December 23, 2014 and, as is our fashion, I asked him about his day. When he began talking, It was evident he could not find the words to tell me about it. We were both perplexed. Then he hit me with another bit of news, “When I read my emails, I can’t see the whole sentence. There are pieces that are missing.” My heart immediately dropped!

As a Certified Care Manager and an Aging Life Care™ expert, I knew something was not right. We jumped into the car and I drove frantically to the ER. After a cardiogram revealed no heart attack, the relevant CT scan and MRI were ordered. We began the three-hour wait to see the doctor. Based upon a prior stroke (CVA) seven months earlier and his current symptoms, the doctor’s assumption was that he had a mini-stroke or “Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).”

The testing revealed “no change” but TIA’s do not typically show up on testing. His prior stroke had affected the Basal Ganglia area of his brain. Symptoms such as aphasia (word finding difficulty) and the organization of speech are associated with this type of stroke and many others. An overnight stay at the hospital was no surprise. After waiting until 10 PM for a bed, Dan suggested I go home and come back in the morning.

What's the fuss about observation status — While observation status is nothing new; the recent abuse of observation status is.

When I arrived the next day, the hospital case manager greeted me. She proceeded to tell me that my husband was “under observation.” Instantly, my role transitioned from caring wife to assertive Aging Life Care™ Manager and advocate. I demanded my husband’s status be changed to “in-patient.” There is no way he understood any forms he may have signed after I left the hospital the night before.

Shortly thereafter, the orders for a discharge were signed, sealed, and delivered. I, however, was not going anywhere unless I had a document in hand that proved my husband was an in-patient. His primary nurse let us know she was leaving for lunch, to which I responded that without the document of in-patient status printed out, she would be spending her lunch time with us. She agreed that if we left the hospital without documentation, we would never see it.

Why the Fuss Over Observation Status?

While observation status is nothing new; the recent abuse of observation status is. Recently, Medicare recipients who require a hospital stay are being placed under observation status rather than admitted as an in-patient, with the explanation that doctors need time to evaluate the patient’s status.

Here’s what you need to know about Observation Status:

Outpatient services and Observation Status are billed under Medicare Part B; inpatient services are billed under Medicare Part A.
Medicare Part A pays for hospital charges. There is also a deductible – $1,260 per benefit period in 2015.
Medicare Part B requires patients to pay 20% of the cost. There is no cap on total expenditures.
Observation patients pay out-of-pocket for their medication received in the hospital. If they have Medicare Part D, they may be reimbursed IF their Part D formulary includes the medications they receive.
If patients require post-acute services in a skilled nursing facility, it is not covered unless they are an in-patient and have remained an in-patient for three consecutive nights. No observation status patient can receive this benefit.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established the Readmissions Reduction Program under the Affordable Care Act and added section 1886(q) to the Social Security Act as of October 1, 2012. As a result, Medicare recipients who return to the hospital within 30 days of an inpatient stay for the same diagnosis force hospitals to incur a financial penalization for this readmission.

Observation status patients are not considered inpatients. Consequently, they have never been admitted into the hospital. The use of this criteria means that hospitals will not be penalized if the patient returns in less than 30 days. This serves the hospital well, but could compromise the patient financially and eliminate an opportunity for rehabilitation services due to the prohibitive cost of such care.

Postscript

Dan is doing well. The neurologist suspects the TIA diagnosis was incorrect based upon Dan’s symptoms and his observation of Dan’s status. The neurologist believes the symptoms were from a more benign cause.

As for me, I often think of those unsuspecting patients in the Observation Unit of hospitals. I wonder how they will feel when the bills start coming in; or even worse when they are unable to receive rehabilitative services. I wish everyone had an Aging Life Care Manager who could educate them and advocate for their health care while also protecting their pocketbook! To find an Aging Life Care Expert near you, visit aginglifecare.org.

About the author: Beverly Bernstein Joie, MS, CMC, is President of Complete Care Strategies in King of Prussia, PA. She can be reached at bbjoie@completecarestrategies.com.

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it intended to be a substitute for, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information on this blog does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Aging Life Care Association™ and is provided “as is” without warranty. Always consult with a qualified professional with any particular questions you may have regarding your or a family member’s needs.

How to Prepare Your Family for Your Aging

July 23, 2015Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Parents, Baby Boomers, Education, Elder Law, Family Members, Financial Managers, GuardianshipAging Well, be prepared Callie Daters

Take a look at this list of important documents and information that will help your loved ones help you when the time comes.

by Debra D. Feldman, MSW, LCSW, CMC, Aging Life Care Association™ Member

If something happened to you today, would someone know what medications you take? Who your doctor is? Or where you bank?

It is often an emergency, accident, or life-threatening illness that forces us to gather important information and ask the tough questions. But the best way to eliminate stress, worry, or uncomfortable conversations is to prepare yourself for your own aging and to share your plans with your family or loved ones.

There are two main areas for you to establish written plans: health care/medical and personal estate planning documents. Once these written plans are established, share this information with your family or designated point of contact.

Health & Medical

With the assistance of your personal attorney, execute a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
Execute the POLST (Practitioner Order for Life Sustaining Treatment) document if one is available to you in your state, or a Directive to The Physician
Make a list of your physicians including specialty, address, and telephone numbers
Make a list of your medications and pharmacy information
Make a list of any medical diagnoses
Make a list of all surgeries and dates of those as best as you can
Keep these documents updated and in an easily recognizable and accessible folder

Personal estate planning documents

With the assistance of your personal attorney execute a Durable Power of Attorney for Property/Finance
Prepare a Last Will and Testament
Prepare a Final Letter of Instruction which should include information such as funeral home, burial instructions, and organ donation wishes
Provide your attorney’s name and contact information
Provide your financial advisor’s name and contact information
Prepare a detailed list of all Investments such as IRA’s, stocks, and bonds
Make a list of all bank accounts, life insurance policies, long-term care insurance policy, safe deposit box information, and location of the keys
Prepare a list of all on-line banking and passwords
Prepare a list of passwords for all social media (Facebook, Linked-In, Twitter)
Provide your accountant’s name and contact information
Provide list of all credit cards
Prepare a folder or binder with the following information: birth certificate, marriage license, divorce papers, military papers, vital papers of personal interest, vehicle certificate of ownership/registration
List your Insurance Agent’s contact information
Make a list and provide copies of Deeds and Titles for real estate owned
Provide your family with an idea of your net worth so that they will know if you have the means to pay for the care you may need in your later years
If you have a safe in your home, ensure a trusted person has the combination to the safe

Some additional questions to ask yourself are:

Have you considered moving into a continuing care facility which offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, or are you just looking at senior retirement communities?
Are your wishes to remain in your home with 24-hour live-in care? And, who might provide the live-in care?
What are your end-of-life wishes?

Once you have compiled all of the necessary information listed above, have a formal meeting with your family or loved ones to review the materials and discuss your wishes.

The only way to prepare your family for your aging is to prepare yourself. We cannot age alone, as we do not live alone. We need to reach out to those closest to us so that they can provide the support we want in the way we want. If you need assistance in creating your plan, contact an Aging Life Care Professional™ to help you navigate your way.

About the author: Debra D. Feldman, MSW, LCSW, CMC has 27 years of experience in Aging Life Care Management and is the owner of Debra D. Feldman & Associates, Ltd. in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Email Debra at feldman.debra@comcast.net and visit her website at ddfcaremanagement.com.

image: Shutterstock/Photographee.eu

Advocating for Aging Adults with Complex Issues

July 22, 2015Aging Life Care Professionals, Elder Law, Family Members, Guardianship, Long-Term CareAging Life Care Advocate, guardianship, hoarding, social services Callie Daters

Faced with the challenge of bringing comfort and safety to one client meant juggling multiple issues — hoarding, guardianship, social services, power of attorney, estranged family members, and a beloved cat.

Aging Life Care Professional™ Byron Cordes, MSW, LCSW, CASWCM shares how his team advocated for and protected one client’s wishes — all the while keeping attorneys, doctors, and family members in the loop.

What is an Aging Life Care Professional?

Aging Life Care Professionals are specialized health & human service professionals advocating and directing the care of older adults and others facing ongoing health challenges. Working with families, their expertise provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers.

Aging Life Care Professionals are often called in to work with businesses and professionals in the legal, health, and financial arenas who want to ensure their clients understand their needs and options and that they receive quality care.

Aging Life Care Professionals are creative and build a plan of care around resources in the community and can build solutions where there are few current resources. If you or someone you know need the help and advocacy of an Aging Life Care Professional, find an expert in your community today.

Caregiver Burnout: Is Your Flame About to Fizzle?

July 20, 2015Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Parents, Baby Boomers, Care Recipients, Caregivingburnout, caregiving, elder care, stress Callie Daters

by Jullie Gray, MSW, LICSW, CMC – Aging Life Care Association™ Member and
Fellow of the Leadership Academy

Last week with the White House Conference on Aging, the nation focused on the rapidly growing 65+ population and the increasing demand for caregivers for this surging senior population. But while others are preparing for the “Silver Tsunami,” there are about 40 million caregivers in the United States devoting about 37 billion hours to assist adult relatives or close friends today, according to the AARP study Valuing the Invaluable: 2015 Update).

Caregiving is difficult and exhausting work. If you don’t take time to set limits on what you can do and when, and create balance in your life, you may begin to suffer from a condition called “burnout.” When it comes to caring for an aging loved one, some people cope better than others. But everyone’s flame is at risk for flickering out if they aren’t careful.

If you feel overwhelmed and unable to take another step forward you may be experiencing burnout. Take this quiz to find out if your flame is about to fizzle.

Are You Burned Out From Caregiving?
	True, this describes my situation most of the time.	False, this isn’t the case in my situation.
1. I feel emotionally drained because of my caregiving duties.
2. I’ve developed a negative attitude.
3. I feel stressed out more often than not.
4. I have more medical problems as a result of being a caregiver.
5. I feel more depressed and/or anxious than before I became a caregiver.
6. I’m not successful as a caregiver.
7. I have trouble sleeping at night.
8. I feel all alone—no one helps me.
9. I have trouble making time for myself and taking a break.
10. I feel trapped in my caregiver role.
11. I feel hopeless and as if there is no help for my situation.
12. I’ve become angry & frustrated and sometimes take my anger & frustration out on the person I care for.

The more items you answered “TRUE” to in the Burnout Quiz, the higher the likelihood that you are experiencing burnout! Even if you responded “TRUE” to just one question, you will benefit from additional help in your care-taking responsibilities.

To learn more about caregiver burnout and how to find the help you need to manage the stress, download this white paper from the Aging Life Care Association™.

An expert like an Aging Life Care Professional™ who has both compassion and years of experience can help you develop a workable self-care plan and find the support you need. Find your very own Aging Life Care™ expert at aginglifecare.org.

About the author: Jullie Gray has over 30 years of experience in healthcare and aging. She is a Principal at Aging Wisdom in Seattle, WA. Jullie is the President of the National Academy of Certified Care Managers and a Past President of the Aging Life Care Association. Follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter @JullieGray, or email her at jgray@agingwisdom.com. Aging Wisdom has a presence on Facebook – we invite you to like our page.

Aging Life Care™ Experts Ready to Help Aging Baby Boomers

July 15, 2015Aging Life Care Professionals, Baby Boomers, Long-Term CareAging Life Care Expert, Baby Boomers, WHCOA Callie Daters

During Monday’s White House Conference on Aging, panelists discussed the challenge facing America — by 2030 some 70 billion baby boomers will be 65+ age. This puts an increasing strain on the long-term care industry and how to manage the care of this rapidly increasing population.

One panelist shared her frustrations of navigating unorganized 1-800 numbers and other resources for her aging father. This turned the discussion to coordinating the many facets and nuances of long-term care and the growing need for care management. [complete debrief of the #WHCOA.]

Those utilizing the services of Aging Life Care Professionals™ already know the value and benefits of the geriatric care management approach. But we still have a lot of work to do to educate the general public and prime referral sources on the services provided by Aging Life Care Professionals.

A recent article in the New York Times – both online and print – helped shine the light on the holistic, client-centered approach advocated by Aging Life Care™ managers. The article also noted the importance of finding a qualified, professional. As many rush into the elder-care industry hoping to profit from the increased demand, it is critical to find the professionals with the right skills, education, and experience.

Members of the Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA) differ from Patient Advocates, Senior Advisors, Senior Navigators, and Elder Advocates. ALCA members meet stringent education, experience, and certification requirements of the organization, and all members are required to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

The Aging Life Care Professional assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential. The individual’s independence is encouraged while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Aging Life Care Professionals are able to address a broad range of issues related to the well-being of their client. They also have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in their communities.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU NEED AN AGING LIFE CARE PROFESSIONAL?

When caregiving for an aging family member becomes overwhelming, it may be time to contact an Aging Life Care Professional.

You may need an Aging Life Care Professional if:

The person you are caring for has limited or no family support.
Your family has just become involved with helping the individual and needs direction about available services.
The person you are caring for has multiple medical or psychological issues.
The person you are caring for is unable to live safely in his/her current environment.
Your family is either “burned out” or confused about care solutions.
Your family has a limited time and/or expertise in dealing with your loved ones’ chronic care needs.
Your family is at odds regarding care decisions.
The person you are caring for is not pleased with current care providers and requires advocacy.
The person you are caring for is confused about his/her own financial and/or legal situation.
Your family needs education and/or direction in dealing with behaviors associated with dementia.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING AN AGING LIFE CARE PROFESSIONAL?

Aging Life Care services are offered in a variety of settings. Professionals can serve the needs of their clients by providing:

Personalized and compassionate service — focusing on the individual’s wants and needs.
Accessibility — care is typically available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Continuity of care – communications are coordinated between family members, doctors and other professionals, and service providers.
Cost containment — inappropriate placements, duplication of services, and unnecessary hospitalizations are avoided.
Quality control – aging life care services follow ALCA’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

Find a qualified Aging Life Care Expert in your area today and learn more about Aging Life Care management.

Today is the White House Conference on Aging

July 13, 2015Aging Life Care Professionals, Caregiving, Costs of Aging, Education, Elder Abuse, Elder Law, Events, Long-Term CareAging Life Care Expert, WHCOA Callie Daters

A Look at the 2015 White House Conference on Aging and Regional Forums from ALCA Public Policy Committee Chair

by Frank E. Baskin, LICSW, C-ASWCM – Aging Life Care Association™ Member and Public Policy Committee Chair

HISTORY

About every ten years (beginning in 1961) the White House organizes a conference on aging (#WHCOA). People from around the United States gather in Washington, D.C. to discuss various age-related issues from which programs and services are often generated to ensure more successful aging. Some ideas that have turned into programs include Medicare, Medicaid, and the Administration on Aging (AOA), including the Area Agencies on Aging. The WHCOA has been funded thru the AOA.

CONTEXT

In recent years Congress has not re-authorized the AOA. The AOA is now part of the Administration on Community Living. The AOA has been leveled funded for those years. There was no funding for this year’s WHCOA, leaving the White House with a predicament – how to organize the WHCOA without adequate funding. AARP provided financial and other resources and the Leadership Council on Aging Organizations also collaborated to make this year’s WHCOA possible.

HOW IT WAS ORGANIZED

A decision was made to have five, one-day regional conferences and one, one-day event in DC (today, July 13). The regional forums were held in :

Tampa Bay
Seattle
Phoenix
Cleveland
Boston

These “listening” sessions were limited to invited participants and were to be opportunities for dialogue among attendees. A small office staff in DC generated four policy statements: Retirement Security, Healthy Aging, Elder Justince, and Long-Term Services and Supports. These briefs are posted at www.whitehouseconferenceonaging.gov and are open for comments.

All are important, but this structure served to focus and also to limit the variety of issues in the discussions. For example, there were no evident places to address elder behavioral health or caregiving. Participants had to find places to advocate for their particular issues.

MY EXPERIENCE

I was invited and attended the regional conference in Boston. It was held at the Senator Edward Kennedy Institute for the Senate. We spent much of the day seated in the replica of the US Senate chamber. Other participants came from all of the New England States plus New York and New Jersey. The room was filled with many experts in the field.

A significant part of the morning was spent with introductions, welcoming remarks, and presentations by political leaders. We listened. It was followed by panels, each addressing the four policy briefs. We listened some more.

During these sessions, cards were handed out so that we could ask questions. The cards were handed in, but there was time for only a few to be read by the moderators. The panel members were generally experts, but they reported little that was new, innovative, or exciting as this was a very knowledgeable audience. As a result there was little opportunity in the morning for dialogue.

The afternoon was spent in workshops each addressing one of the policy briefs. There were about 50-70 people attending each session. I attended the session on long-term services and supports.

At the beginning of the session I attended, we were asked to write down our individual priorities. We were then divided into 10 to 12 small groups of about six people each. We read our priorities and each group selected two priorities . The overall group had the task of selecting just a few of the priorities to represent that workshop.

The outcome of the process was to distill the priorities into a small list where each priority tended to be broadly stated. My opinion is that since the priorities were now not very specific and could not very easily serve as the basis for programs or services, they did not have much punch.

After the workshop sessions, we came together one last time and the priorities of each group were read. There was also an opportunity for any of us to speak for a few minutes about any issue that we felt was important to identify.

CONCLUSION

I was honored to have been invited, but I wish the day could have been used more productively. I felt the forum was an opportunity for aging experts to bring together their combined skills and knowledge and generate generate new, innovative programs. However, what we did see was more broad and non-controversial. I did use the day to connect with others about Aging Life Care™ and elder care projects, and for me, that was useful.

HOW to PARTICIPATE in TODAY’s WHCOA (from the White House Press Secretary)

Today, President Obama will deliver remarks at the 2015 White House Conference on Aging. The White House has held a Conference on Aging each decade since the 1960s to identify and advance actions to improve the quality of life of older Americans.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act, as well as the 80th anniversary of Social Security. The conference is an opportunity to recognize the importance of these key programs while bringing together older Americans, caregivers, government officials, members of the public, business leaders, and community leaders to discuss the issues that will help shape the landscape for older Americans in the next decade and explore policy solutions to address them.

The remarks by the President and conference programming will be open to pre-credentialed press and live-streamed at https://www.whitehouse.gov/live

WHAT: 2015 White House Conference on Aging

WHERE: East Room and South Court Auditorium

WHEN: Monday, July 13, 10:00AM ET – 4:30PM ET

SPEAKING PROGRAM:

East Room

10:00AM Welcome to the Morning Session

10:05AM Panel 1: Caregiving in America

11:25AM Remarks by the President

11:35AM Panel 2: Planning for Financial Security at Every Age

South Court Auditorium, Eisenhower Executive Building

1:20PM Welcome to the Afternoon Session

2:05PM Panel 3: The Power of Intergenerational Connections and Healthy Aging

2:50PM Panel 4: Empowering All Generations: Elder Justice in the 21^st century

3:50PM Panel 5: Technology and the Future of Aging

4:30PM Closing Remarks

In addition to these remarks and panel discussions, the conference agenda will feature a series of short discussions and remarks by community members, leaders in the private sector, local government officials and senior Administration officials.

Additional Administration participants, in order of appearance:

Valerie Jarrett, White House Senior Advisor
Robert McDonald, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Sylvia Mathews Burwell, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Thomas Perez, U.S. Secretary of Labor
Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council
DJ Patil, Chief Data Scientist, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy
Richard Cordray, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Jeffrey Zients, Director of the White House National Economic Council
Susannah Fox, Chief Technology Officer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

For more information on how to participate in today’s event, read Friday’s blog post .

White House Conference on Aging

July 10, 2015Aging Life Care Professionals, Caregiving, Costs of Aging, Education, Elder Abuse, Elder Law, Events, Long-Term CareWHCOA Callie Daters

White House Conference on Aging
Monday, July 13th 10:00am – 4:30pm ET

The TENTATIVE agenda for July 13 is (all times are ET):

10:00 AM – 12:20 PM: Welcome; Opening Panels on Caregiving and Financial Security
*President Obama is scheduled to address the conference during this period

12:20 PM -1:20 PM: Lunch Break

1:20 PM – 4:30 PM: Afternoon Panel Discussions on Healthy Aging, Elder Justice and Technology

How Can You GET INVOLVED

Watch the event

They are live streaming the conference and encourage everyone to watch.

Share your story
Let us know why the issues discussed at the conference are important to you or how you plan to participate in the conference.

Interview an older adult
Download the StoryCorps app to record an interview with an older adult in your family or community. Upload the interview to archive it in the Library of Congress and share it on social media using the #WHCOA hashtag.

Host a Watch Party (PDF)
Invite your friends and colleagues to watch with you. Use the link above to find additional information on how to host a viewing session for the conference. If you plan to host a Watch Party, please register it here. To find a Watch Party near you, click here.

For details and for more information go to www.whitehouseconferenceonaging.gov

Aging in Place? Aging Life Care Professionals™ Help Keep You Home and Out of the Hospital

July 9, 2015Aging in Place, Aging Life Care Professionals, Alzheimer's, Dementia, GeriatriciansAging in Place, Aging Life Care Expert, Aging Well, Avoid Hospitalizations Callie Daters

Like many of her colleagues, Anne Sansevero, RN, AGNP, MA, CCM of New York, New York works with clients that are aging in place, at their home.

Anne’s specialty is helping clients with neurological issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke. As Anne shares here, it is her focus as an Aging Life Care Professional™ to keep her clients at home and out of the hospital. By visiting clients on a regular schedule, Aging Life Care Professionals can catch changes in a client’s health quickly, seek treatment, and coordinate care across the continuum.

WHAT IS AGING LIFE CARE™?

Aging Life Care / geriatric care management is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges. Working with families, the expertise of Aging Life Care Professionals provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers through:

Assessment and monitoring
Planning and problem-solving
Education and advocacy
Family caregiver coaching

Aging Life Care Professionals are engaged to assist in a variety of areas, such as:

Housing – helping families evaluate and select appropriate level of housing or residential options
Home care services – determining types of services that are right for a client and assisting the family to engage and monitor those services
Medical management – attending doctor appointments, facilitating communication between doctor, client, and family, and if appropriate, monitoring client’s adherence to medical orders and instructions
Communication – keeping family members and professionals; informed as to the well-being and changing needs of the client
Social activities – providing opportunity for client to engage in social, recreational, or cultural activities that enrich the quality of life
Legal – referring to or consulting with an elder law attorney; providing expert opinion for courts in determining level of care
Financial – may include reviewing or overseeing bill paying or consulting with accountant or client’s Power of Attorney
Entitlements – providing information on Federal and state entitlements; connecting families to local programs
Safety and security – monitoring the client at home; recommending technologies to add to security or safety; observing changes and potential risks of exploitation or abuse

Local, cost-effective resources are identified and engaged as needed.

A care plan tailored for each individual’s circumstances is prepared after a comprehensive assessment. The plan may be modified, in consultation with client and family, as circumstances change.

To find an Aging Life Care™ Expert to help you or a loved one, search the Aging Life Care Association’s directory of members.

Four Things Every Financial Manager Must Know When Advising Aging Adults

July 8, 2015Aging Life Care Professionals, Costs of Aging, Financial ManagersAging Life Care Expert, costs of aging, financial management, money Callie Daters

by Phyllis Mensh Brostoff, CISW, CMC – Aging Life Care Association™ Member and Fellow of the Leadership Academy

1. Long-term care is expensive, and there is a confusing maze of options when it comes to in-home and residential care. Financial managers must know the costs of long term care, in order to provide relevant guidance to older clients and their families.

2. Your prime directive has been helping clients save money. But when that “rainy day” comes, your clients may need your encouragement to begin to spend it. The savings you have helped them accumulate aren’t an end in themselves, but a means for your clients to be able to maintain a high quality of life, throughout their lifespan.

3. Clients and families are often unrealistic or over-anxious about how long their money needs to last. They project the cost of care for too many years into the future, without having a realistic understanding of their scenario. An experienced Aging Life Care Professional™ can provide you with relevant information to help you make the most accurate projections possible:

How old is your client?
How many chronic conditions does your client have?
How many medications does your client take, and how compliant are they?
Does your client live alone?
Is their home an appropriate setting for them to “age in place?”

4. An Aging Life Care Professional completes an in-person assessment with every client, and can work with you to develop a realistic plan for spending those hard earned savings in the most efficient and effective way possible.

If you are working with a client who needs a broader scope of services, contact a member of the Aging Life Care Association to ensure finding a professional with the expertise and experience to provide appropriate support, resources, and services. Our members subscribe to the highest standards of practice and code of ethics. Find an Aging Life Care™ expert near you at aginglifecare.org.

About the author: Phyllis Mensh Brostoff, CISW, CMC, is a social worker and co-founded Stowell Associates 31 years ago in Milwaukee, Wisconsin which provides care management and home care services. She has written numerous articles and presented seminars across the country. Follow her on Twitter at @CareManagerMilw, connect on Facebook, or email her at phyllisb@caremanagedhomecare.com.

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it intended to be a substitute for, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information on this blog does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Aging Life Care Association™and is provided “as is” without warranty. Always consult with a qualified professional with any particular questions you may have regarding your or a family member’s needs.

7 Warning Signs That Aging Loved Ones Need Help

July 2, 2015Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Parentsaging adults, aging life care, aging parents, solutions Callie Daters

As a Record Number of Seniors Are Living Alone, Aging Experts Offer 7 Warning Signs to Look for During Summer Visits to Older Family Members and Friends

As millions of Americans travel during the summer, many adult children will spend time with their aging parents and loved ones. A record number of these older Americans are living alone. A government report found that 12.5 million older Americans — fully half of women age 75 or older — now live by themselves.

If you are traveling to visit family and “checking-in” on older loved ones this summer, it is important to look for signs that aging loved ones need help or attention.

To help, members of the Aging Life Care Association™ compiled this list of key questions to ask and warning signs to look for during your summer visit.

Look for these 7 potential warning signs that could mean your aging loved ones need medical attention or more assistance to continue living independently:

1. Changes in Physical Appearance: Do you notice either significant weight loss or weight gain? Do you notice any bumps or bruises that may indicate they have had falls?

2. Loss of Mobility: Do you notice any increased difficulty in walking or getting in and out of chairs/sofas? Do they appear less steady on their feet?

3. Decline in Home Cleanliness and Repair: Does their home look clean and well maintained or is it in need of cleaning and/or repairs? Is trash and/or clutter accumulating? Does it smell of urine or feces?

4. Reduced Ability to Prepare Healthy Meals: Do you notice a change in the kinds of foods they have (no more fresh fruits/vegetables, more frozen meals and canned goods)? Are their appliances like the stove, microwave and refrigerator in working order? Is there adequate food? Any spoiled food present?

5. Changes in Mood, Memory or Behavior: Do you notice your loved one constantly repeating things? Are you noticing increased confusion? Are you hearing from their friends that something has changed in their mood or behavior? Are they having difficulty carrying on an extended conversation? Are they showing irritability or apathy? Are they reporting more difficulty sleeping?

6. Changes in Routine: Do you notice stacks of unopened mail? Are bills not getting paid? Are medications being taken? Are prescriptions not being refilled? Are medical appointments being missed or follow-ups not being made? Have they cut back on outside/social activities.

7. Decline in Personal Hygiene: Are you noticing your loved one is unkempt, not dressing during the day like they used to; not showering and wearing dirty clothing when they do get dressed?

These are just a few warning signs that an older adult may need medical attention or other assistance. If one or more of these warning signs are detected, it might be time to bring in a professional to help.

Aging Life Care Professionals™ are an important resource to older adults and families who need assistance. With expertise and day-to-day experience in the community, Aging Life Care Professionals can guide aging adults and their families to the best decisions and best solutions. Beginning with an in-depth assessment, a care plan is created by the Aging Life Care Professional and family. Together, they arrive at the best possible options.

It is difficult for many adult children to navigate through the myriad of options, especially when they are at a distance, working, and/or raising their own children. Find an Aging Life Care™ Expert at aginglifecare.org so that you don’t have to go it alone.