Aging is a part of life, and it may result in our loved ones needing long-term care in a nursing home. Whether it’s caring for a specific cognitive illness, like Alzheimer’s disease, or any number of physical ailments that leave our family members unable to care for themselves, going into nursing home care requires us to examine many issues. The costs of this care can be enormous and, at times, be an overwhelming burden on families. However, there are ways to be there for your loved one, especially during the current coronavirus pandemic, and make sure their lives are as meaningful as possible.
Caring for someone suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can be difficult, stressful, and a drain on patience and resources. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 million people may be living with Alzheimer’s Disease by 2060. Most people want their loved ones to be safe and well-cared for. It may come to a point where a person is no longer safe to live at home and may need to be placed into a long-term care facility. If this is the case, considering memory care may be the best option to ensure they are safe and receive care tailored to their needs.
As we age, planning our end of life care becomes more critical. Advanced planning can help protect assets and reduce the burden on family members when it comes time for end-of-life care. Part of this planning may include the possibility of being incapacitated and requiring someone else to make crucial decisions regarding your health or assets. There are, of course, options for this kind of thing. One way to manage this includes designating power of attorney. There are several kinds of power of attorney that can be granted depending on need and when the Principal would like the authorization to end or expire.
Parents spend most of their life caring for their children and trying to make sure they’re doing well. As we age, however, those roles can reverse, and the child may have to take care of their parents, and make sure they’re doing well. Talking about these kinds of things can be uncomfortable, and the reason a lot of people avoid the conversation altogether. They’re important conversations to have, though, and there are ways to get through them. Here are a few ideas on how to talk to your children about end-of-life care.
Nearly one in 10 veterans rely on Medicaid for the primary and specialty healthcare they need. In fact, 1.75 million veterans use Medicaid in some form to cover their medical issues. Medicaid is a safety net for veterans, providing insurance to those who do not have it, and supplementing those who do have insurance, or have Medicare. While veterans may be eligible for Medicaid, there are certain things to take into consideration, things that civilians do not have to worry about.
No one wants to think about a time
in our lives when they will need long-term care. In many cases, most people do
not think about long-term care planning until a loved one needs it or they need
it. By then they may have missed an opportunity for better options, more
resources, and more information to make decisions off of. Thinking about the
unthinkable, and making a plan, gives you a lot more options, and lets you have
more of a say in you and your spouse’s lives when the time comes for long-term
care.
As we age, the possibility that we may end up
in assisted living or a nursing home rises. It’s part of growing older,
unfortunately. But what’s the difference between the two? And which one is
right for you? Read on, as we take a look at the differences between assisted
living and nursing homes.
For a loved one who is aging, or in poor
health, a healthcare proxy can be an important thing. That being said, it’s
also somewhat confusing, and not everyone knows what it means, or what a
healthcare proxy does. We will try to explain all of that and more, as we delve
into what a healthcare proxy is, why they are named, and how you can handle
it.
What is elder law? And how does it
impact you? Those are important questions, especially as we age. With our
longer life expectancy, elder law is a somewhat new area of the law, and exists
to serve the needs of the elderly and disabled, along with their families.
Elder law covers a wide-range of issues, both legal and financial.
The reality of aging is a part of
life, and, as unpleasant as it may be, it may lead to needing long-term care
before we die.
Whether it’s care for a specific
cognitive illness, like Alzheimer’s disease, or any number of physical ailments
that leave us unable to care for ourselves, going into a nursing home care
requires us to examine a host of issues. Long-term care last from 2.5 years for
women, to 1.5 years for men, on average. Nearly 14 percent of people who enter
a nursing home will be there for five years or longer.