Veteran’s Pension for Home Care

Aid & Attendance Provides Tax-Free Financial Assistance

Aid & Attendance is a federal pension benefit available to eligible veterans and surviving spouses through the Veterans Administration.   This is a tax-free, monthly pension.  Veterans/spouses with certain recurring  health/medical expenses may be able to financial assistance to help pay for homecare services.

Currently, there are less than 600,000 individuals actually receiving financial assistance. This figure represents only 5% of the population which may be eligible, and who would qualify at some level for Aid & Attendance. Under the right conditions, many seniors in this country could qualify to receive up to $2,019./month (husband & wife) in tax-free funds from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

To receive the financial benefits, a veteran must have served on active duty during a period of war and received an honorable discharge. Service in combat is not required, only that the veteran was in a branch of the military service during wartime and was discharged honorably. Single surviving spouses of such veterans are also eligible. Additional eligibility requirements include a medical/health condition (or documented medical disability) that requires regular assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), and financial need.

Unfortunately, few people know where to turn for basic information about this pension – whether or not they might be eligible – and how to apply.

In a previous blog entry, I began to write about the “myths and misconceptions” concerning the Aid & Attendance pension benefit, the application process, and the subsequent proper use of benefit funds.  Below, I continue this discussion…

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Myth # 7:  I own my home. I have lived here for 35 + years. Won’t this disqualify me?

Answer:  Quite the contrary. The Aid & Attendance pension was put in place to help seniors remain in their homes, and provide them financial assistance to do so. The benefit was established back in the 1950′s…back when there were no assisted living facilities, nor nursing homes, available to help people as they naturally aged. People remained in their own homes as they grew older.  As we all know, a bi-product of aging is a deterioration of some skill and functionality, and the Veterans Administration provides some funds to pay for services to “aid and attend to” eligible recipients.

 Myth # 8:  I have no outstanding mortgage on my home, which is my primary residence. Does this eliminate my eligibility?

Answer:  No, not at all. Whether you currently carry a mortgage on your residence, or are debt free, has no effect on eligibility. Your home is not counted in defining your “liquid assets”. Now, if you own more than one home, this may disqualify you. But if you are like many seniors, and you live in one home (whether you own, or rent), you may be eligible to receive some financial help to stay there.

Myth # 9:  I have taken out a reverse mortgage on my home, and am using it for monthly cash flow. Am I still eligible for Aid & Attendance?

Answer:  Yes, for two reasons. Number 1:) the reverse mortgage is actually a loan, so even though you may be using it to provide funds for your daily living, it is not considered or counted as income. And Number 2:), your home is not counted as an asset – so the fact that you are using it to generate spending money is your decision, and your business. But it does not effect eligibility for Aid & Attendance.

Myth # 10:  I heard that the asset ceiling for my savings and estate portfolio is $40,000. Is this true?

Answer:  No. There are many figures being tossed around concerning “total liquid assets”, and this is yet another that is incorrect. The VA has set a ceiling on liquid assets at $80,000 or less. This means, for a veteran and spouse who are thinking about preparing an application, they must have combined household assets of $80,000 or less. Similarly, for a single applicant (i.e., veteran with no dependents, or a surviving spouse of a wartime veteran), the total liquid assets need to be less than $80,000. 

Some of the misinformation in the marketplace is due to positioning for estate and financial planning.  Since there is not look-back period for Aid & Attendance, personal savings and estate portfolios can/are managed to provide proof of assets below the $80,000 ceiling.  Unfortunately, some veterans have been misinformed, and were told of a required lower assets figure in an effort to gain a business advantage.

Myth # 11:  My father already receives medical benefits through the VA. Is he eligible for Aid & Attendance?  

Answer:  Yes, he is absolutely eligible. A veteran may be wise to have medical coverage through the substantial resources offered within the VA medical system. But this in no way precludes eligibility for Aid & Attendance. The former offers hospitalization, medical care and attention. The latter provides financial assistance to help defray costs related to homecare.

Myth # 12:  I’m healthy, but my wife requires significant care. Should I look more closely at this benefit?

Answer:  Aid & Attendance may provide some financial assistance. There are generally three categories for claim applicants: A) Veteran and Spouse; B) Veteran with no dependents; and C) Surviving Spouse of eligible wartime veteran. Each of these claim categories provides a different dollar amount as a maximum benefit. One criteria to determine eligibility is having a medical/health related need, effecting two or more of your “activities of daily living”, or ADL’s. Should the spouse require care, she and her husband should think about submitting an application for benefits.

Myth # 13:  I currently receive a monthly pension through Aid & Attendance. Can I expect my monthly pension to increase?

Answer:  The Aid & Attendance benefit, in all eligibility categories, is tied to increases in social security. This year in 2012, the benefit increased approximately 3%, as did social security. Therefore, the maximum benefit levels for recipients of Aid & Attendance did show a slight increase for those receiving the pension.

How To Hire Homecare Services

Needing Additional Care Assistance at Home

Arranging home care services for yourself, a parent, grandparent, or family friend may seem like a daunting task…but it can be quite simple! Certainly, the decision making process can be quite difficult if under stress, or due to an emergency situation. Recently, Home Care Partners has provided private duty in-home care to clients under stress and deadlines. For example, a hospital discharge plan which requires the family to have 24/7 home care coverage. Or, an assisted living facility which requires residents to hire home care services to insure safety and security within the apartment living space.

Many families attempt to absorb the caregiving duties for Mom and Dad. However, there are multiple factors which can prevent family members from directly caring for aging parents. Families may be quite dispersed, with significant gaps in geographical proximity. Distance may make hands-on caregiving impossible. Professional and atomic family obligations may severely limit the available time to help. And relationships may cause a blockage. That is, mother and father may NOT want a daughter (or son) to help them with personal care needs…bathing, showering, and toileting. They may prefer a professional who is trained to provide these services. They DON’T want family members to provide this kind of assistance.

Are you truly able to care for and/or attend to the needs of one or both aging parents?

Hiring an Agency

Sometimes it is as simple as picking up the phone. You can find Home Care Partners in 1) the local phone directory; 2) online with descriptive information on our website: http://www.homecarepartnersma.com3) via our newspaper advertising; 4) or simply pick-up our corporate brochures at various Council on Aging offices.

You are encouraged to ask any/all pertinent questions.

- Does the agency conduct background checks on their care staff? Home Care Partners conducts two levels of screening. We run an online search on all candidates. And in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we submit a criminal background check (referred to as CORI) specific to the Commonwealth. This information will tell us whether any candidates have appeared in court on a violation, and the court determination at that time.

- Does the agency have sufficient staff resources? When a care staff has a scheduling conflict, or illness, does the agency have resources available to provide substitution for a given day, or period of time? We strive to build our roster based on localized staff. So we hope to always have local employee resources available for our clients.

Tips For Elderly Who Are Homebound

Call On Local HomeCare Resources

With winter upon us, it is difficult for many family members to assist elderly relatives. In some cases, it is a simple fact that distance makes it impossible to attend to elderly parents. But even short distances can be greatly effected by weather.  Bad driving conditions, slippery roads, poor visibility, can prevent family involvement for those who may live relatively nearby.

Take precautionary and preventative steps to keep family elders safe. Is there a back-up plan? Do you know of community resources that can provide assistance when/if needed?

Home care agencies can provide an extra set of eyes, hands, and help to insure family elders remain safe and comfortable during winter months.

Helping your loved one avoid “cabin fever.”  For homebound seniors, winter can be a time of extreme boredom. Nothing happens in their day-day living environment. Meals and watching television are the only checkpoints of their daily existence. No visitors, no events, no activities. This boredom and isolation can result in feeling quite depressed. But homecare staff can provide a daily visit. Someone to talk to. Care staff can transport your loved one to his or her usual activities, or simply get them out of the house for a short drive. Companionship is a very positive antidote to loneliness, and can engage in homebound activities such as crafts, reading, writing, organizing, board games, puzzles, and card games.

Eliminating fall hazards.  At Home Care Partners, we provide help to our elderly clients in keeping their homes clean, and orderly. Care staff can coordinate and manage functions such as snow removal from driveway, walkways, and stairs. Perhaps de-ice may be thrown out on driveway before travel. The caregiver can bring in the mail from the mailbox, or the newspaper outside the front door.

Keeping your loved one safe during power outages.  Our care staff can assure your family/parents are safe. Windstorms and heavy snow knock out power for millions each year. Darkness and cold endanger frail seniors, especially those with cognitive issues or age related dementia. Seniors who rely on electrically powered medical equipment, oxygen machines, or mobility devices can be put in life threatening situations without assistance. Home care providers can enable safety, including transportation to a warm facility, home, or designated shelter.

Winter Can Be Difficult For Elderly

A Little Help Goes A Long Way

During winter months, many seniors become stagnant. They don’t like the cold and snow, so they stay indoors. Becoming housebound can create a unique set of health and safety problems for elderly living alone.  Often, professional in-home caregivers support community seniors with time, attention and companionship to help get through the winter months.

There are many, many issues related to the ongoing health of seniors which can be categorized as physical, emotional, or home safety. Some quick thoughts on elderly health and well-being.　

Preventing hypothermia.  As we grow older, we become more sensitive to the cold. Though seniors are at higher risk of hypothermia, common health problems and some medications may cause them to be less aware that their body temperature is dropping. An indoor temperature that feels fine to younger people may be unsafe for older adults.  Staff at Home Care Partners will monitor senior clients for signs of hypothermia, and help them remain warm and comfortable, perhaps with a sweater, thermal underwear and an extra blanket for the bed.

Tasks of Personal Care.  Taking a bath or a shower means getting cold. So for this reason (and others!), many seniors try to avoid washing themselves. Caregivers help senior clients with bathing, grooming and other hygiene areas. In wintertime, often the skin needs extra attention, as cold outdoor conditions and dry indoor air can cause chapping and irritation.

Listen to the Doctor.   Our caregivers will transport seniors to doctor appointments, and sit in on the meeting. Trips to the pharmacy can be every 10 days. Our staff also provides medication reminders, and will handle grocery shopping for nutritious meals and snacks. Seniors can require constant reminders on health and safety compliance. Physical activity may be some quick exercises for muscle strength and balance needs in arms, legs, ankles, and knees. It provides better blood flow and circulation. Good health can provide a healthy emotional mood. Our caregiver staff can take your loved one for a walk in an indoor mall or help with a home exercise program.

Peace of Mind.  Having knowledgeable, local in-home care assures you that your parents are safe and accounted for. Knowing you’ve got coverage for Mom & Dad is a HUGE help. It relieves worry of the unknown. A typical snowstorm brewing means your parents might be buried until the plows finally get to their street. But you’ve got other, local people you can call for assistance and homecare services. Your loved ones are safe with homecare professionals.

Alzheimer’s – A Disease Without Boundaries

Tips to Relieve Care Burden

Few families have been left untouched by this insidious disease. Alzheimer’s, after all, is a disease that does not discriminate. It affects people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, socio-economic status, and education. What many families fail to focus on, however, is not just the person with the disease, but the caregiver.

Many caregivers experience such symptoms as denial, anger, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, helplessness, sleeplessness, and irritability. In short, caring for a spouse or parent with Alzheimer’s often leads to exhaustion and emotional burnout.

What can caregivers do to reduce the burden? The Alzheimer’s Association and other experts offer the following recommendations:

Manage your stress level.

High levels of stress, which are very common with primary caregivers, can cause physical problems. Use various relaxation techniques to ease the stress and consult your doctor.

Take care of yourself.

Caregivers can’t ignore themselves in the process of helping their loved one. Watch your diet, exercise and get plenty of rest. Take time out for shopping, entertainment and getting away.

Become an educated caregiver.

Find out where there are support groups or contact your local Alzheimer’s association to learn more about how to cope.

Be realistic.

Many of the behaviors that occur with Alzheimer’s disease are beyond your control and the control of your loved one. Yes, you can grieve, but you must also focus on the positive moments.

Do legal and financial planning.

Consult an attorney and other specialists to discuss legal, financial and medical issues. These decisions need to be tied up sooner rather than later.

Give yourself a break.

This is considered the most important step – and the one that you can least ignore. It may mean exploring home care services, adult day care options or respite services. Home care may include companion services, a home health aide who can assist in helping with the activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, toileting and feeding), homemaking services to help around the house, or skilled care to assist with medication and other medical services. It can be live-in or hourly. Adult day care may offer music and art programs for the Alzheimer’s patient. Respite services can allow the caregiver to re-fresh her batteries by going away for the day or taking a much-needed weekend break.

Don’t be a martyr.

If at all possible, don’t do it alone. You can’t live like this for too long. Seek the support of family, friends and community resources.

Alzheimer’s disease destroys lives – and that can include the life of the caregiver as well. The adult children for one client, who called us about sending them care staffers to help their mother care for their father, said they made the call after reaching the conclusion “we have already lost dad, we can’t lose mom too.” With a dedicated person taking some of the responsibility off her shoulders, their mother was able to leave the house for several hours every day. She could take long weekends to visit her children and grandchildren. It allowed her to slowly get back to being herself again.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Disease Recognition Can Be Difficult

Very often the initial symptoms appearing in a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease are examined in hindsight. It can be a little like viewing a car accident in the rearview mirror.  At first, his/her difficulty in recalling words may seem very minor, perhaps for no other reason than a lack of sleep or a “senior moment.”  However, he/she may begin repeating himself. There is confusion and repetition evidenced by asking the same questions over and over again. It usually becomes more obvious when he/she becomes increasingly forgetful, sometimes not remembering why he/she has gone to the store or how to drive home on streets he/she has known for years. Soon, even a spouse or adult child in some state of denial will realize this is not a case of normal aging.

In addition to losing their cognitive faculties, victims of Alzheimer’s often demonstrate personality and behavior changes. They may become more contentious and demanding. And, as terrible as Alzheimer’s becomes, it is often the family member who serves as the primary caregiver who bears the largest burden.

Alzheimer’s is not necessarily a visual disease, such as cancer or diabetes. Family members may not know or understand what the primary caregiver goes through. Even in the later stages of the disease, many Alzheimer’s patients can manage to cover up so well that even adult children or siblings may see a totally different side when they visit or call. This is a facade which can completely mask the ongoing disease progression and subsequent personality/behavioral changes. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be an all-consuming 24-hour-a-day, seven-day a week grind.

Home Care Partners provides experienced, compassionate and dependable caregivers carefully selected to provide our clients with loving care and assistance. We provide families with peace of mind.  Contact us today @ (781) 378-2164 to inquire about our affordable rates and to find a solution that fits your family, parents, or those important seniors in your community.

Medicaid: boon or busted?

I came across this article recently.  Credit to investment banking firm Wyatt Matas for this content…

Long-term care providers can expect their currently shrinking margins to disappear completely in the new year, according to a recnet report issued by the American Health Care Association, a trade group. Citing a shortfall in Medicaid funding for senior care that totaled over $6 billion in 2011, the report notes that providers who depend on Medicare cross-subsidization to maintain operations will face a tough year ahead. An expected cut in Medicare reimbursement rates and the predicted negative 14 percent Medicaid margins means that providers relying heavily on these two government payers won’t manage to break even, with average losses of nearly $20 per Medicaid patient day. In the same week that this report appeared, the US Department of Health and Human Services released an initial set of additional quality measures for Medicaid patients. Published as part of the health reform law, HHS notes that the measures will track performance and encourage quality in care coordination and chronic disease management. States that choose to adopt the additional measures will use them to form a strategy to ensure quality care to growing Medicaid populations while funding continues to shrink. This all means high volume, low margins for providers, a situation that will further stimulate M&A activity as providers scramble to scale their businesses to gain efficiencies and offset declining margins.

Winter Weather Can Be Difficult For Elderly

Safety Precautions for Seniors

We are coming into “winter season” , which may represent sparkling snow, holiday decorations and cozy nights by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate.  However, for many seniors the winter season means weeks and months of cold weather, black ice, and piles of snow.   Colder temperatures can present safety challenges, especially for older adults. This year has already seen the freakish ”Halloween Eve” storm in the Northeast, with seniors sheltering in high school gyms and fire stations during power outages that lasted for days and even weeks.

While many in the northeast are enjoying seasonally temperate weather, it is important to be aware of seasonal hazards brought on by normal cold, winter weather:

Hypothermia.  Exposure to cold may result in a dangerous drop in body temperature. Common health conditions and some medications raise the risk for seniors.

Increased risk of falls.  Slipping on icy steps or a snowy walkway can result in serious injury.  This can be extremely treacherous.

Carbon monoxide illness or fire from improperly used space heaters or generators.  These devices can be dangerous when incorrectly installed and operated.  I just had a space heater spark and burn a small hole in a rug in my home!

Seasonal depression.  Many seniors become completely housebound.  They never leave their home unless escorted to doctor appointments.  Inactivity and isolation may result when cold weather means fewer opportunities for exercise and social contact.

If your senior loved ones live in a climate where winter storms and cold weather occur, take steps to keep them safe. Winterize their home, check heating systems and help them prepare for weather-related emergencies. If loved ones drive, help prepare an emergency kit for the car. Educate yourself and your loved ones about the symptoms of hypothermia.

When family members can’t be there to help elderly relatives, it’s important to have a backup.  For many families, in-home care provides the extra measure of security to keep loved ones and family safe and comfortable – in any season.

 

 

Caregiving and Holiday Gifts

Gifts for Family Caregivers Working with Alzheimer’s

A little bit of help…that probably describes an appropriate gift for a caregiver. They work, they care, and they have their own lives. The best gifts you can give someone caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s are those that relieve stress, bring a moment of calm, or provide a bit of respite for the caregiver.

Here are some ideas for last minute shopping…

The Gift of Time:

Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s is a job that never ends. The disease causes continual deterioration. There is no real break from caregiving. So a cost-effective and truly meaningful gift might include helping the caregiver. Create coupons for cleaning the house, preparing a meal, mowing the lawn or shoveling the driveway, or for providing respite time that allows the caregiver time off to focus on what they need.

Gift Certificates:

Isn’t it nice to have someone else do the cooking on occasion? Give gift certificates for restaurants. Also laundry/dry cleaning services, especially those that deliver; lawn care services; computer/technology support; housekeeping services; or personal pampering services, such as massages, facials and manicures/pedicures.

Magazines and Books:

Do you remember getting lost in a good book? Or is their a favorite magazine subscription that might bring a wide smile? Any favorite reading material can be a wonderful gift. And, in addition to fiction and nonfiction books that a caregiver might enjoy, there are a number of books created to assist caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends “The 36-Hour Day” by N.L. Mace and P.V. Rabins; “The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s Care” by V. Bell and D. Troxel; “Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Guide and Sourcebook” by H. Gruetzner; and “Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers” by F. Broyles.

DVD’s or Digital Video Recorder (DVR):

A set or series of favorite TV programs to watch in a quiet moment. Or you can think about the purchase of DVR/TiVo and one or more year’s worth of services that will enable caregivers to record favorite shows they may not be able watch in real time but can enjoy later during downtime.

Hire Some Help:   

Home Care Partners provides experienced, compassionate and dependable caregivers carefully selected to provide our clients with loving care and assistance. We provide families with peace of mind.

Contact us today @ (781) 378-2164 to inquire about our affordable rates and to find a solution that fits your shopping/gift list and budget.

Evolving Model of Home Care

Family Demographics Causing Shift in Care Giving Resources

Today, 80 percent of all long-term care is provided by family members and friends and outside of hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions. This caregiving might include grocery shopping and housecleaning for a disabled parent several hours a week, or helping a loved one who is recuperating from surgery to bathe and dress several days each week for a few months, or it might even mean providing 24-hour attention to a parent or spouse struggling with Alzheimer’s.

The problem with this evolving model of care is that there are (or soon will be) fewer children to provide care. Today’s average couple has only two children, whereas earlier generations of their elders had four or more children in the family. Secondly, family members may not live nearby due to increased mobility, economic necessity, and relocation. For example, my eldest daughter currently lives and works in Vietnam. Thirdly, there is an escalating number of singles without spouses due to rising divorce rates. Approximately 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. And finally, more middle-aged men and women continue to work for economic and/or professional reasons.

Many baby boomers, meanwhile, are learning that Medicare was never designed to cover these types of long term costs. Even though the overwhelming majority of elders would prefer to be cared for at home, Medicare will only provide reimbursement for hospital and physician expenses and offer limited support for nursing home and home health care. Another interesting fact — more than 90 percent of Americans have never discussed long term options, roles and responsibilities of family members, and how they plan to pay for long term care needs with and for those closest to them.

When seniors or individuals recovering from an illness or injury need long-term or short-term assistance with their daily living needs, home is the most comfortable and convenient place for them to receive care.

Oftentimes family members — out of love — will attempt to take over the responsibility of caring for a parent or a sibling themselves. Unfortunately, this generous act can put tremendous strain on their existing relationship. The family member can quickly become overwhelmed by the additional responsibility leading to feelings of resentment, while the receiver of care experiences guilt and diminished self-worth for shifting this burden on a loved one.

A personal care provider is the perfect solution for everyone.

Home Care Partners, LLC provides experienced, compassionate and dependable caregivers carefully selected to provide our clients with loving care and assistance to make life easier for them and to provide their families with peace of mind. All of our caregivers are carefully screened and insured so you can trust you are getting the best possible assistance.

If needed, our agency also provides services to individuals who may reside in an assisted living or nursing home facility.

Make the call that can improve your life or that of a loved one. Contact us today @ 781 378 2164 to inquire about our affordable rates and to find a solution that fits your budgetary needs and your lifestyle. Options include 24 hour live-in care or private duty hourly care for living assistance and companion/homemaker services to seniors and others throughout Massachusetts.