Recognizing the Costs of Senior Care

If you have aging parents, you have probably already begun to think about the care they will need in coming years. But have you put enough thought and planning into it? Nursing homes and even assisted living can become very expensive if your loved one is there for several years. Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance have limitations on what they will cover and can take time for approvals or appeals to go through, leaving families to pay out of pocket. 

One study estimated that the annual cost of a private nursing home room is around $91,250. If your elderly parent is in the nursing home for just five years, this adds up to a whopping $456,250. If they stay longer, this cost only rises. Assisted living and rehab facilities come with their own expenses as well. For those with dementia, it can be even more challenging because they are physically healthy but their memory is slipping. Between your senior’s savings and insurance coverage, this may not be enough to cover costs, which means the family is often left to cover the remaining balance. This can be tough, especially when you are trying to provide for your children and save for your own retirement.

There are several ways to help prepare for the costs of senior care:

• Plan ahead and start comparing pricing, insurance plans, and living options. Know what each service covers and how much you can expect to pay. Although pricing will change with time, it can give you a ballpark estimate. It may be more affordable to increase the amount of in-home care before transitioning to assisted living.
• Know your senior’s finances and what they can afford. You may want to work with a financial planner to more effectively budget their savings and maximize return. This will also help you to judge what levels of care they can afford and for how long. A professional can work with you to determine the difference between what insurance or Medicaid will pay versus what your senior will owe.
• Compare options before making any decisions. Talk to the family and see if others can pitch in to provide care so that less assistance is needed. Make use of in-home care to support your aging parent in being able to stay in their own home for as long as possible, especially if assisted living or a nursing home is more than they need at the time. Providers like Always Best Care even offer assistance tailored toward those with dementia to provide them with high quality, affordable care.

The average lifespan has increased over the years and this means more strategic long-term planning and saving is necessary. Don’t let the cost of senior care catch you by surprise. Make sure you start planning early and know your options.

To learn more about how in-home care can help defray costs, contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online. In addition, when your senior is ready for assisted living, we offer complimentary assisted living placement services and have strong ties with local resources.

Halloween Safety Tips for Seniors

Halloween is generally a time of fun and festivities, but it can also pose some safety concerns for seniors and be a frightening event. For those with dementia, limited mobility, poor vision or hearing, or other issues, having people constantly ringing the bell, knocking, or yelling can be frustrating or intimidating. They may also be concerned about being home alone and answering the door to strangers.

• Keep the lights on

Regardless of whether your aging parent is going to hand out candy, leave the lights on. This can help to dissuade vandalism and other suspicious activity. Oftentimes troublemakers target darkened houses where they think no one is home. A well-lit environment also makes it easier to see who is at the door, where the edge of the step is, and what is happening.

• Avoid driving

There will be a lot of people roaming the neighborhood, so do any errands with your loved one during the day before trick-or-treating begins. Not only is it more difficult to see at night to begin with, children may not be paying as much attention to where they are going with all of the excitement and step into the street or the path of the vehicle without realizing it.

• Invite company

If your loved one wants to hand out candy, invite them to your house, or go to theirs and do it together. If distance is an issue, see if they can partner up with a neighbor or family friend. This can reduce their hesitancy about being alone and also give them someone to socialize with and share in the festivities. You or your neighbor can also take steps to ensure their safety as they’re interacting with trick-or-treaters.

• Keep décor simple

Tripping and falling is a major concern for seniors. Make sure that decorations do not make navigating more difficult or crowd walking space. Consider using flickering lightbulbs inside of pumpkins instead of real candles to reduce fire risk.

• Take advantage of community events

If your senior doesn’t want to be bothered at home with trick-or-treaters, consider going to a party at the local senior center or another organization. This can be less stressful and more enjoyable for them because they can socialize with friends in a relaxed environment. You could also have a family night in where you watch movies and have snacks together. This can be less intimidating for them.

• Trick-or-Treat with care

Some seniors enjoy going out in the neighborhood with their grandchildren and walking with them from house to house. If you’re taking your elderly parent along, make sure you have a bright flashlight to illuminate the sidewalk so they can see where they are going. Try to avoid areas where you know the path is uneven or hard to navigate. Keep a comfortable pace and make sure that they are wearing sturdy shoes and if they have a costume on, it doesn’t impair their vision or mobility.

Halloween can be a memorable time to spend together, but talk to your senior ahead of time to see how they would like to celebrate. Do they prefer something low-key or are they up for a party? Know your parent and what fits best with their abilities. An in-home caregiver is a great option for when you can’t be there so you know your loved one is staying safe, someone is keeping them company, and they have assistance as needed. Contact Always Best Care to learn more about the services we can provide for your senior in their Asheville or Hendersonville home this Halloween and throughout the entire year. Call (828) 989-7263 or visit us online to get started.

Helping your Aging Parent Manage their Medication

Medication is a common concern for families when seniors are living on their own. You may wonder if they’re remembering to take it, are taking too little or too much, and how it is affecting them. Seniors often take multiple medications to manage their health and they may lose track of what they are taking or why. Not taking prescriptions correctly can be dangerous to their health and wellbeing. Here are some ways that you can be proactive in helping them to keep their medications under control:

Keep a comprehensive list. Know exactly what medication your aging parent is taking, how much, when it should be taken, how it should be taken, and – what some people may overlook – why it is being taken. This list will come in handy for several reasons:

• Take it to doctor appointments so that if questions arise, you have an accurate record of what prescriptions your loved one is taking. You can also discuss with the doctor if something seems off.
• Should an emergency arise, you can quickly let paramedics or ER doctors know what medications your senior is on. While this information is available in their medical records, it never hurts to have a list with you for immediate reference.
• By knowing why they are on each medication, you can compare to see if there are any duplications. They may not need to be on as many drugs if some have similar uses.

Know the side effects. Not everyone responds the same to different medications. This will help you identify any troubling symptoms. Contact the doctor right away if you notice changes, especially if they are taking a toll on your parent’s wellbeing. The doctor can assess the situation and change the medication or dosage if necessary.

Set up a system. There are a wide variety of pill cases and reminders available. Figure out what works best for your loved one to remind them to take their medicine. Maybe simply separating the medication by morning and evening for each day is enough, or perhaps setting a reminder on their phone is more effective. An in-home care provider can also ensure they are taking their medications correctly and provide gentle reminders.

Stick with the same pharmacy. Get all of their prescriptions filled at one location. This can reduce the risk of overprescriptions or harmful interactions. You can also build a rapport with the pharmacist and staff and ask questions about any concerns you may have. It also makes it easier for you to make sure you have each prescription because they are all in one location. Along the same lines, seeing the same doctors or specialists can help as well because they will be more familiar with your loved one’s health and they often work together to coordinate care.

Work together with your aging parent to ensure they are taking their medication properly and that it is working correctly. If anything seems off, talk to the doctor so that it can be addressed quickly and efficiently. If you’re concerned about your loved one taking their medication, an in-home caregiver from Always Best Care can give you more peace of mind. They will go to your parent’s Asheville home and provide care aligned with their needs, including medication management. Call (828) 989-7263 or visit us online to schedule a consultation today.

Common Dental Concerns for Seniors

October is National Dental Hygiene Month and a great time to stop and assess your senior’s oral health. Dental problems can contribute to a variety of issues such as trouble eating or swallowing, difficulties with speech, and complications with underlying health conditions. If your loved one has started losing weight, it may be because they have mouth pain or because food doesn’t taste the same as it used to. Many oral health issues are treatable and regular checkups and cleanings can help catch problems before they become more serious.

So what are some issues for seniors that you should be aware of?

Dry Mouth: This is very common in older adults, especially those who take several medications. Dry mouth can be a side effect of these drugs. In addition, as they age, their mouth may produce less saliva than before. Drinking more water, sucking on sugarless candies, using special toothpastes, and avoiding salty foods can all help.

Tooth Loss: Poor oral hygiene over many years can lead to eventual tooth loss. When gums recede and bone wears away, there is less to keep the tooth firmly in place and it can fall out. Missing teeth can make eating more difficult and leave sensitive spots in the gums. Implants, bridges, and dentures can help remedy these problems and provide more comfort and stability in the mouth.

Poorly Fitting Dentures: Dentures are not a once-and-done fix for tooth loss. While they may start out fitting snugly, over time they can become loose and move out of place. Seniors’ gums can become drier and shrink, changing how their dentures fit. Or, they may not have been adjusted properly to begin with. Dentures that shift in their mouth can not only affect eating but also speech. Have the dentist check the fit and make adjustments as necessary.

Gum Disease: Gum disease can be a problem at any age, including older adults. Forgetfulness, arthritis, and physical limitations can mean teeth are not being brushed properly. This can leave lingering plaque which can lead to tooth decay and gingivitis. Over time gum disease can cause gums to recede or become painful. It may lead to tooth loss as well.

Schedule regular dental checkups for your senior to detect problems early on. Also check in to make sure your loved one is brushing twice a day and able to properly use their toothbrush and clean/affix their dentures. A healthier mouth can improve their health and nutrition because there are fewer barriers to eating.

If your loved one needs assistance scheduling or traveling to appointments, preparing meals, or grooming, it may be time to consider in-home care from Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville. Our trained and compassionate caregivers can support these activities and more, providing your senior with the help they need for a healthier, safer lifestyle. Call Always Best Care today at (828) 989-7263 to schedule a consultation, or visit us online for more information.