July 6, 2012 - By the NCPC
It was 3:00 PM when Linda noticed her elderly neighbor had not been out to pick up her paper nor opened her windows. A heat wave had kept temperatures near 100 degrees all week long. When Linda knocked on her neighbor’s door, Megan, 88 years old answered immediately. “Is it morning yet?” she asked confused at why Linda was at her door. Linda noticed that Megan’s eyes were sunken, she was disoriented and dizzy. The temperature in her house was well over 100 degrees. A call for an ambulance saved Megan’s life. She was extremely dehydrated and su ...... Read More
Using Veterans Benefits As a Cost-Effective Way to Acquire New Clients or Customers
August 1, 2012 - By the NCPC
Over the years, we have found that educating seniors who are veterans or single surviving spouses about their benefits has proven to be a very effective and low-cost method for acquiring new clients or customers. For those of you working in the senior market, this is a great method to get you in front of individuals or families needing your expertise or services.
Individuals eligible for veterans benefits are extremely eager to know what they can receive and will readily respond to any invitation to learn more about those benefits. For example, m ...... Read More
CELEBRATING FAMILY CAREGIVERS – NATIONAL CAREGIVERS MONTH
November 7, 2011
Debbie turned the ringing alarm off. It was 6:00AM and time to get herself ready for the day. Her son would be there soon to help her shower and dress her husband Jim. Her son came every day before work to help because Debbie, at 75 years old and suffering with arthritis, could not lift Jim out of bed or help him to the shower. This has been the daily routine since Jim’s stroke a year ago. When her son leaves for work, Debbie spends the day caring for Jim’s needs.
President Barack Obama, in his Presidential Proclamation of National Family Caregivers M ...... Read More
Recognizing the Need for outside Help in Caregiving
December 12, 2011
Caregivers often don’t recognize when they are in over their heads, and often get to a breaking point. After a prolonged period of time, caregiving can become too difficult to endure any longer. Short-term the caregiver can handle it. Long-term, help is needed. Outside help at this point is needed.
A typical pattern with an overloaded caregiver may unfold as follows:
1 to 18 months - the caregiver is confident, has everything under control and is coping well. Other friends and family are lending support.
20 to 36 months - the caregiver may be taking medi ...... Read More
Is Insurance the Answer to Long Term Care Planning?
January 11, 2012
A recent USA Today article states that there is an increase in seniors living over the age of 90. According to author Haya El Nasser “The number of people living to age 90 and beyond has tripled in the past three decades to almost 2 million and is likely to quadruple by 2050”.
Seniors who live longer generally have some sort of disability or need help at some level of living. Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, indicates that the focus needs to be on being able to help these seniors live at home as long as possible as nur ...... Read More
ARE YOU LISTENING?
February 7, 2012
Remember when your parents were lecturing you on the rules for taking the car for a spin? Dad would put his face in front of yours and say, “Are you listening?” Of course you would say “sure” even though your mind was miles away on the adventure to come.
Today, as adults, the children who received the counsel and wisdom of their parents are facing a reverse situation in their lives. They are finding themselves concerned about their aging parents and what their needs will be as their health and mental abilities fail them. In some cases the children must take t ...... Read More
Social Support Activities Lead to Better Quality of Life As One Ages
August 8, 2011
How important is social support as a person ages? This may seem like an easy question to answer. Most people would not choose isolation and loneliness versus spending time with companions. However, can lack of social support really hinder a person’s overall quality of life?
Lack of social support is related to negative impacts on health and well being, especially for older people. Having a variety of positive social supports can contribute to psychological and physical wellness of elderly individuals. Support from others can be important in reducing stress, increas ...... Read More
EXPERT HELP AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS ON THE MOVE
September 6, 2011
Cheryl was in a panic trying to get her parents home sold in Florida and move them near her in Idaho. Seven years ago Max and Clara purchased their retirement home in Florida and moved there from Idaho. Max had a stroke recently and Clara can no longer care for him herself, so in order for Cheryl to help out they need to move back to Idaho.
As is often the case, when elderly parents have health problems, the children are called on for help and support in major decisions. Unfortunately, Cheryl is not able to leave her job and family in Idaho to spend time selling t ...... Read More
Can I Get Paid to Care for a Senior Family Member?
October 10, 2011
As the number of family members providing care for aging parents increases, the solutions to find help with loss of income because of time off from employment for caregiving has become a major concern for many.
The demands on both the time and energy needed to provide the needed care can make it impossible to maintain both a full time job with full time caregiving.
Seeing a need to give support to family caregivers the federal government Administration on Aging created the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
State Area on Aging division manages this pro ...... Read More
How To Protect The Family Home From Medicaid Recovery
June 6, 2011
Because the home is the largest asset a couple can keep while still qualifying for Medicaid, it is also usually the main target of estate recovery.
Sidney and Rachel's Story:
Sidney and Rachel had lived in their home since it was new. They built it just after Sidney got a promotion to regional sales manager for a shoe distributor. Through the years, the house was remodeled twice and expanded to add a loft bedroom. Even when their children were grown with families of their own, they all remained close, with frequent family gatherings for holidays and birthdays.
Sidne ...... Read More
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