Long-term care insurance can help to reduce the financial burden placed on a senior and their family in the event that they need more extensive and prolonged care in the future. However, there are many factors to consider when purchasing this type of insurance, so some careful research is necessary. Those who work in senior services advise elderly individuals and their families to consider the following points:
- Shop around: Prior to making a purchase, it’s important to get a sense of the various options available. Talk to different companies and compare their benefits. Don’t just go for the least expensive plan, as the kinds of coverage and the details of the plan matter too. A plan that doesn’t truly suit your senior’s needs is not worth any sum of money, no matter how seemingly inexpensive it is.
- Make sure it’s all in writing: Written promises and guarantees don’t do much when it’s time to actually make use of the policy. According to those who work in senior care, Cedar Valley families should make sure that any statements that the company gives are backed up and verified in writing.
- Ask questions for clarification: Minor details and phrases can completely alter the policy, so it’s important to have a solid understanding of the various components contained within the coverage. Some people feel embarrassed about asking questions about coverage, but there’s no shame in verifying total understanding.
- Does the policy come with inflation protection? Your policy that pays $100 per day for nursing home expenses may sound great now. However, if your senior doesn’t need the coverage for years and suddenly nursing homes have doubled in price, then this coverage becomes virtually useless. Make sure that the coverage you purchase accounts for inflation.
- Will the premiums continue to be affordable? Elder care services professionals explain that this is a major point to consider. Even if your elderly parent can afford the premium now, it’s important to verify that this will still be the case in the future, particularly if they’ll be living on a fixed income.
Long-term care insurance can be a monumental help to seniors and their families; however, prior to making a purchase, it’s necessary to comb through the details of the policy carefully. Ensure that it will still be affordable and effective in the future before signing on the dotted line.
A stroke is a traumatic and devastating medical event for a senior and their family. However, once it has happened, it’s time to shift the focus to recovery. Elder care services professionals explain that focusing on recovery is essential in order to allow your elderly loved one to regain their physical and mental abilities. A few ways to do this include:
Focus on reducing risk of another stroke
Many strokes come as a result of uncontrolled or undetected medical conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes. After a stroke has occurred, your elderly loved one must get a full assessment from a doctor in order to prevent it from happening again. Encourage your senior to take all medications prescribed to them regularly, and to eat a diet that’s high in fiber, low in fat and salt, and full of lean protein. Those who care for seniors explain that prevention is an essential step that is often overlooked during the recovery process.
Partake in a comprehensive recovery program
After your elderly parent has a stroke, they’ll need to take part in a comprehensive recovery program designed by highly trained medical professionals. This may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. These various specialists can help to get your loved one back on track and recover the skills they may have lost in the stroke.
Alter a living situation as necessary
After a stroke, your family member may not be able to attend to the tasks of daily living anymore. According to those who work in assisted living, Iowa families need to carefully analyze their senior’s needs after a stroke and make any necessary adjustments. This may include having a home care professional come in to assist regularly, or they may need to be moved either temporarily or permanently to an assisted living facility or nursing home.
Join a stroke support group
A stroke support group can help to prevent feelings of isolation as your senior recovers from this traumatic medical event. Your elderly loved one’s neurologist can help to direct you to a group in your area. The experience allows them to feel a connection to others in the community who have gone through a similar situation, while also helping you to learn more about stroke and the recovery process.
The days and weeks following a stroke can be stressful both for the survivor and their family. However, when you take quick action to get your senior on a comprehensive recovery program, they’ll be able to make great strides as they regain the skills they lost during the event.
Senior health professionals encourage anyone who cares for an elderly individual to learn the major signs and symptoms of a stroke. A stroke is a serious health episode that can cause debilitating damage when it not treated immediately. As soon as your elderly loved one begins to display the signs of a stroke, they need immediate medical attention. In order to make sure that this happens, it’s important to learn the key indicators of stroke. They include:
Numbness
If a person is having a stroke, they may experience numbness or weakness in one arm. To check for arm numbness, ask your senior to raise both of their arms above their head, and then look to see if one arm is slowly heading downward.
Face drooping
If your elderly loved one’s smile has begun to droop or they complain that their face has gone numb, this can indicate that they are having a stroke.
Trouble speaking
If your senior is having a stroke, they will have difficulty speaking properly and may become hard to understand. They may slur their words or speak sentences that don’t make sense. To test if this is taking place, ask your loved one to repeat a simple sentence. If they are unable to repeat the sentence correctly and clearly, it’s time to get them medical attention.
Other common indicators of stroke include:
- Confusion or trouble understanding simple conversation or instructions
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- A significant headache with no real cause
Those who care for seniors should always be on the lookout for these warning signs, and should act quickly should they display themselves. With a stroke, every minute counts, so getting an elderly loved one to the hospital as soon as possible can greatly increase their chances of making a recovery.
Though strokes are brain-based, they can devastate a person’s entire body. A stroke can make it hard to feel emotions, speak clearly, and think. They may also cause full or partial paralysis on one side of the body. Because May is National Stroke Awareness Month, it is even more important to learn the key indicators of a stroke.
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to get creative about how you’re going to show your mother just how appreciated and loved she is. Regardless of how much or how little you have to spend, you can find a gift that leaves her delighted. Some popular choices for senior moms on Mother’s Day include:
A recipe book
Over the years your elderly parent has probably come up with quite a few recipes that the family loves. Start by writing out or typing up these recipes, and then laminate them and bind them together into a recipe book. Your senior will enjoy thumbing through the various dishes that are unique to her family, and the book can become a treasured family possession for generations to come.
Have everyone in the family write letters
For a touching and sentimental gift, ask everyone in the family (grandkids, siblings, and others) to write a letter touching on some of the favorite memories they’ve shared with mom or grandma. Talk about some of the traits they most admire in her, and include other sweet thoughts. This will be an instant day brightener, and gives your senior something to enjoy on days when she needs a boost.
Plant her favorite flower in her honor
If your elderly parent adores gardenias, lilies, or other flowers, plant some in her honor either in her garden or in the garden in your home. The cheerful blooms are the perfect way to show your love for her. Those who care for elderly individuals explain that thoughtful gifts from the heart are the most meaningful for seniors on Mother’s Day.
Make something crafty
Get the children in the family together to make a special gift for Grandma, whether it is needlework, a quilt, or another kind of craft. She will appreciate the love and attention that went into making the gift and will display it proudly.
Let her pick how to spend a day
Those who care for seniors explain that time is often the best gift of all. More than anything else, your elderly loved one wants to spend time with her family. Make this happen by having her pick out a few activities she would like to do that day, and then gather everyone together to do them. Whether she wants to go to lunch, see a movie, or go antiquing, the time together is precious.
