Taking Care of Those You Care About

Whether you are currently a caregiver of an older adult, might be in the future, or want to plan ahead for when you will need care, there are many options to consider. To provide guidance to people in this situation, FIFS and Community Home Services in Souderton offered a community seminar this September.

Trish Sneddon, Life and Health Representative from FIFS, and Mary Tidey, RN Manager from Community Home Services, discussed the many options available including housing, payment, and how to avoid caregiver burnout. Here are highlights from their seminar.

Housing Options
“The right housing choice depends on a person’s lifestyle choices, physical needs, and the length of time for which they are considering housing,” says Trish. Options include:

  • Housing for 65 and older
  • Retirement Centers
  • Continuing Care Centers
  • Life Care Centers
Planning Ahead
“It’s important to plan ahead for legal and financial decisions in order to avoid making difficult choices in a crisis situation,” says Trish. Items to consider putting in place now include:
  • Advance directive/living will
  • Long-Term Care insurance
  • What Medicare covers
  • Financial plans
Paying for Healthcare Services
Costs for healthcare services vary, depending on the service. Long-Term Care policies can defray these staggering costs. For example, the current average costs of healthcare services in the Indian Valley Region are:
  • Home health care: $25 per hour
  • Assisted living: $100–150 per day
  • Nursing home: $200–240 per day for semi-private room
  • Community Home Services: offers a sliding scale rate
Enhancing Your Home for Older Adults
“There are many changes you can make to your home or an older adult’s home to give them the freedom to stay in a home setting as their health needs change,” says Mary. Some enhancements include:
  • Grab bars and ramps
  • Bathroom facility on first floor
  • Furniture placement
  • Personal emergency medical alarm
Preventing Caregiver Burnout
Caregivers need to take care of themselves. You can do this by being an educated caregiver:
  • Know that asking others for help is not a sign of failure
  • Accept the help that friends and family offer
  • Look into community resources that offer you a break, such as adult day care centers and senior adult activity centers
  • Plan ahead for legal and financial decisions

For more information, please call Trish Sneddon at 267-384-5300 or 800-332-4141.

FIFS Connection, Fall 2005, Vol.2, No. 4

© Copyright 2007-2008. Franconia Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Site designed and maintained by Word Work Communications. Site written by Marolewski, LLC: Advertising and Writing Services.