November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, and a good time to try to understand what it is like for our loved ones who suffer from dementia. If you have any questions, or need help for an aging senior in the area, visit us at www.openarmssolution.com.

What It's Like to Have Dementia

Understanding dementia symptoms from the inside can make you a better caregiver – and bring you closer to your loved one.

You know how frustrating and heartbreaking dementia symptoms are from the point of view of a caregiver. You know the pain of slowly seeing a loved one slip away. But what is it like for her? What is it like for a person to slowly -- or sometimes quickly -- forget almost everything she ever knew?

Continue reading article HERE.

Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s Patients in Northbrook, Illinois

Here is an article from agingcare.com that is helpful for families with loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s. Visit us at www.openarmssolutions.com if you need help for a senior loved one in the area.

Protecting Alzheimer patients' legal, financial welfare

Caregiving experts often advise that after an Alzheimer's diagnosis, family members meet with an elder law attorney to begin the process of planning for down the road as the illness progresses.

"I don't think families are well-versed in this," said Barbara Vogel, program coordinator for the Neuwirth Memory Disorders Program at Hillside Geriatric Center in Glen Oaks. "I don't think they're seeking the legal assistance or financial guidance that they need to do this early on so when the time comes they are prepared."

Instead of doing all of their planning with a lawyer, some caregivers turn to geriatric care managers or social workers who hire themselves out as guides to those attempting to navigate the system. Orlando Gonzalez, 66, and his daughter Kim Latkovich, 38, both of Manorville, paid a social worker $700 and found the experience both cheaper and faster than dealing with an attorney.

Continue reading HERE.

It’s Time to Stop Diabetes in Northbrook, Illinois

It’s time to ‘Stop Diabetes’

(ARA) - November is American Diabetes Month, a time to recognize the deadly disease that nearly 24 million children and adults live with today. Another 57 million people have pre-diabetes or are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes has become an epidemic; in fact, if current trends continue, one in three children born today will face a future with diabetes.

The time has come to take greater action in communicating the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of prevention and control. The American Diabetes Association is launching a movement called Stop Diabetes to confront, fight and eventually end this devastating disease.

You can take steps to help change the future of diabetes, whether it’s learning tips on prevention, how to help people who struggle with it, or how to get involved in events in your community. In addition to joining the national movement, here are a few ways you can help Stop Diabetes on a local level:

Share. Inspire others to join the movement by sharing your personal story. Beginning Nov. 2, visit stopdiabetes.com and join the American Diabetes Association on Facebook and Twitter to learn about all the exciting ways to be a part of the Stop Diabetes movement. Invite your family, friends, and co-workers to join this effort as well.

Act. Whether you want to run, walk, bike or simply tell a friend, there are many ways to help build momentum for the Stop Diabetes movement. Visit stopdiabetes.com or call (800) 342-2383 to get involved in your area.

Learn. The American Diabetes Association has many resources throughout the country to help Stop Diabetes. If you or a loved one already have diabetes or are at risk for type 2, the Association can provide lifestyle and motivational information to prevent this disease from taking control of your life and the lives of those around you.

Give. The drive to Stop Diabetes cannot succeed without individuals dedicating time, effort and funds to support mission-critical activities in your neighborhood. Contact the American Diabetes Association to get involved.

Through these actions, you have the chance to get involved and help raise awareness, promote healthy living and raise money to fund educational outreach, advocacy efforts and critical research that will ultimately Stop Diabetes once and for all.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Visit us at www.openarmssolutions.com if you need help for an aging loved one in the area.

Family Caregivers of Northbrook, Illinois

Are you a caregiver for a family member? In the month of November during National Family Caregivers Month we celebrate YOU! As always, visit us at www.openarmssolutions.com if you need help for an aging senior in your life.

Who are America's Family Caregivers?

Rosalyn Carter said it best: “There are only four kinds of people in the world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers”. Caregivers are needed for family members of all ages. With appropriate information and support, family caregivers can help their loved ones across the lifespan.

So, who are family caregivers … It's a complicated question and answers may vary depending upon whom you ask. Physicians may give an answer different from social workers and researchers may undoubtedly quote statistics. However, if you really want to know who America's family caregivers are, you need to ask them directly.

Continue reading HERE.

Understanding Alzheimer's Disease in Northbrook, Illinois

This is a great article for anyone who is affected, or newly affected by Alzheimer’s Disease, and is trying to understand it’s effects on our loved ones. If you need help with an aging loved one in the area, visit www.openarmssolutions.com.

Stay Alert on Alzheimer's Disease

By: Barbara Rockwell

The term dementia refers to a brain disorder that demonstrates itself in several ways. A person may easily become confused even in known settings, may ask questions repeatedly, or may neglect such basic things as their own hygiene or basic safety issues. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia linked with old age.

The disease is named after German Doctor Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed variations in the brain tissue of a patient of his that died with unusual mental illnesses and dementia. His study guided him to discover anomalous clumps and tangles of fiber in the brains of those patients who were suffering from this same disease.

Thus, whilst it was common for persons who were older and losing their mental faculties to be dismissed as "senile," Dr. Alzheimer was able to pinpoint the actual breakdown in the brain that led to the loss of their mental faculties.

According to the National Institute on Aging varied test conclusions, there are actual brain changes in persons with Alzheimer's disease. They can find out how nerve cells die in areas of the brain that affect memory and basic abilities. It may seem strange, but everything that we do on a daily basis is because of memory.

We remember that we need to take a shower on a regular basis that we need to shut the door behind us when we leave the house. We don't realize that we're doing these things because of memory, and assume that they just happen naturally. But when those memories break down because of Alzheimer's or any other mental disorder, even the most basic everyday functions begin to be confusing or neglected.

In fact, the brain works by a series of connections between nerve endings, all of which are related. For example, the part of the brain that controls speech sends signals to the nerves that spark the muscles and parts of the mouth when we wish to talk. Of course, all of our mental and physical functions work this way.

With Alzheimer's disease, these nerve signals are disrupted or broken. If the brain cannot continue to make connections in the nerve cells that control memory, all the basic functions are disrupted. The brain can't memorize that it just asked a question, so a person repeats it. They can't remember their own children, so they are now strangers. Alzheimer's can be a very frightening and debilitating disease for the patients and the families as well.

Article Source: http://myeldercarearticles.com

Prevent Senior Fraud in Northbrook, Illinois

Senior Fraud Prevention

“Seniors can make easy targets for fraud, whether it’s for unbelievable investment returns or fraudulent sweepstakes prizes. Fraud on seniors can happen by phone, mail, in person, or, less commonly, the Internet (because seniors are online in smaller numbers). It can happen to wealthy seniors, and those of limited means. According to the Federal Trade Commission, studies show con artists are more likely to target senior citizens than other age groups because they believe seniors are more susceptible to such scams. The FTC reports that fraudulent telemarketers direct from 56 to 80 percent of their calls at seniors. The need for senior fraud prevention has become greater than ever.”

Follow the link below to read the rest of this very informative article. If you have any questions or need help in the area, visit www.openarmssolutions.com.

Continue reading HERE.

Taking Care of Parents Also Means Taking Care of Finances in Northbrook, Illinois

Taking Care of Parents Also Means Taking Care of Finances

Here is a great article from the New York Times. If you are in need of assistance for an aging senior in Northbrook, IL visit us at www.openarmssolutions.com.

About 30 percent of adult children in the United States contribute financially to their parents’ care, according to the Pew Research Center. On average these children pay $2,400 a year on everything from uncovered medical expenses to making sure the refrigerator is stocked each week. The money often goes to parents who diligently saved all their lives, but in the face of longer life spans and chronic illness, the savings just isn’t enough.

Continue reading HERE.

Understanding Memory Loss in Northbrook, Illinois

What is memory loss?

Memory loss is something we all experience in life. We forget familiar names, we cannot remember where we left our wallets and purses the previous evening, and we can’t remember everything needed at the grocery store without having a list. This type of memory loss is perfectly normal and as we age, such mild forgetfulness may start happening more and more.

Continue reading HERE. Visit us at www.openarmssolutions.com if you need help for an aging senior in the Northbrook IL area.

Understanding Long-Term Care in Northbrook, Illinois

What is long-term care?

Long-term care includes the care you need when you can no longer perform the day-to-day activities normally associated with independent living due to chronic illness, disability, disease or merely as a result of the frailties of aging. This includes performing everyday activities like bathing, dressing or eating. This assistance can be provided in your home, community, or at an assisted living facility or nursing home.

What is the likelihood that I will need long-term care?

It’s likely that you or a family member will need long-term care at some point in your lifetime. Currently, it is estimated that, on average, a 65-year-old today has a 70 percent chance of needing some type of long-term care. [1] This could include both care from a paid provider or care from family or friends. Your chance of needing long-term care services are greater if you are older, are female, or possibly due to a family history of longevity or debilitating disorders. And, long-term care can be expensive. If you need care, the average lifetime expenditure of someone age 65 or older who needs long-term care is about $150,000. [2] In addition to this very real cost, families are also supplementing the care needs of their loved ones with everyday assistance. The need for long term care is not only limited to the elderly; it may be necessary for younger individuals who are debilitated by accidents, strokes or by degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis or others.

What is long-term care insurance?

Long-term care insurance provides benefits to help you and your family manage the potentially significant costs of long-term care. It helps you to protect your financial assets so that you and your family will have the financial resources to pay for the care you may need and can focus on your life together instead of worrying about your finances. This takes the potential burden of care off of your family and gives you the peace of mind that you will be able to afford the type of care you need and choose. Long-term care insurance costs only a fraction of what it would cost you if you had to pay for your care needs completely on your own.

What kinds of illnesses does long-term care insurance cover?

Long-term care insurance covers assistance that may be necessary due to aging, an accident or lengthy illness, chronic health conditions and/or physical disabilities, such as a stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson’s.

What types of care can I receive with long-term care insurance?

Long-term care insurance gives you the ability to choose the type of care you prefer. Plans can include coverage of home care, hospice care, respite care, adult day care, care in assisted living facilities and nursing homes and some plans may include coverage for some types of informal (family or non-professional) care. Some plans simply pay you a cash benefit for each day you are disabled so that you have total freedom to decide which services and providers you will use.

Am I covered for long-term care?

Most long-term care services are NOT covered by any other kind of insurance, including health insurance, long-term disability insurance, Medicare, or Medicare supplemental coverage. Only long-term care insurance covers the type of day-to-day personal care assistance you might need if you were unable to care for yourself as a result of chronic illness, disability or disease. This type of care is known as personal or custodial care. Most people incorrectly think Medicare will pay for long-term care services. In reality, Medicare does not generally cover long-term care. Medicare pays for skilled care in a nursing home only for the short period during which you are recuperating following a hospital stay (only up to 100 days). Once your care needs stabilize, and you need personal or custodial care, Medicare will not pay these costs. Medicare will only pay for care at home under very limited circumstances. Medicaid pays for long-term care only for seniors with very low incomes. Please visit the Medicare and Medicaid Long-term Care Web site for more detailed information on what Medicare covers.

What does long-term care cost?

Long-term care can be expensive. The national average cost of one year in a nursing home is over $75,000.[3] A year of care at home, on average nationally, can cost $40,000.[4] The total cost of care can be even higher depending on the area of the country where care is received, the length of stay or hours of care for home care, and the type of care needed. These costs can be a financial hardship without the benefit of long-term care insurance. In addition to financial costs of care, there is also an emotional cost on family and friends as they struggle to support and assist a loved one who needs care. The enormous emotional stress that you and your family may experience caring for a loved one can be significant. While family may be willing to provide the care that is needed, it is important to consider the toll it takes on them. Ensuring that all of the costs of your care – emotional and financial – are not an additional burden, will provide you with peace of mind and let you focus on living your life as independently as possible.

Is long-term care insurance affordable?

Long-term care insurance is more affordable than you might think, with a variety of plans, benefits levels and features available to suit your needs and budget. You’ve worked hard to build your savings and long-term care insurance is a way to help protect those savings. You can manage the costs of long-term care insurance by choosing a plan that matches the financial and retirement goals that are right for you and your family. Since the cost of long-term care insurance coverage is based on the age when you apply, in general, the younger you are, the lower your premiums.

What is the cost of waiting to buy long-term care insurance?

The cost of waiting to buy may be significant – both in terms of how much you will pay as a result of buying it at an older age, and in terms of whether you might not qualify if you develop a health condition that makes you ineligible to obtain insurance. For your peace of mind, you should consider buying long-term care insurance for you and your family between the ages of 40-50. Generally, the younger and healthier you are when you buy long-term care insurance, the lower your premiums will be. Waiting too long could decrease your likelihood of being accepted and will increase the cost of your insurance.

What protections are in place for consumers?

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has established detailed industry-wide standards to protect consumers. Most states have adopted these standards and require insurance companies selling in those states to adhere to them. These include protections against arbitrary rate increases, disclosure requirements for all privacy provisions and flexibility for consumers to adjust their policy benefits to meet future needs and reduce costs should they choose to do so. Another important consumer safeguard – buy insurance from a company you can trust to be around in 20-30 years and check the financial rating and claims paying abilities of the companies you are considering.

________________________________________

[1]Kemper, P, Komisar, H and Alecxih, L. “Long-Term Care Over an Uncertain Future: What Can Current Retirees Expect?” Winter 2005/2006 [3] “Caregiving Across the States,” Family Caregiver Alliance, November 2007. [4] LifePlans, Inc., “Descriptive Analysis of Patterns of Informal and Formal Caregiving among Privately Insured and Non-Privately Insured Disabled Elders Living in the Community,” April 1999.

When Our Northbrook, Illinois Loved Ones Resist Care

When Your Loved One Resists Care

Here is an article I found that is very helpful for caregivers who are struggling with the loved one they are trying so hard to care for. It offers other ways to look at the behavior to try to understand what our loved ones are trying to communicate to us. If you are a caregiver, and need help with an aging loved one, visit us at www.openarmssolutions.com.

“How many times has your mother refused to change her clothes? Has your father resisted getting out of bed? Has your wife pushed you away when you tried to brush her teeth? Many times a caregiver will be particularly frustrated by her loved one’s refusal to help himself. At times she can’t help but think that the person she cares for "36 hours a day" is going out of his way to make her miserable! The increasing irrationality of individuals with dementia makes it even harder on the caregiver.”

Continue reading article HERE.

Caregiving Tips After a Stroke in Northbrook, Illinois

This is a very informative article for anyone who has a loved one recovering from a stroke. If you need help for an aging loved one in the area, visit www.openarmssolutions.com.

15 Tips Caregivers Should Know After A Loved One Has Had A Stroke

The following is being issued by American Stroke Association:

1. It's better to find out than miss out. Be aware of the medications that have been prescribed to your loved one and their side effects. Ask if your home should be modified to meet the specific needs of the stroke survivor. Ask a doctor, nurse or therapist to clarify any unanswered questions or to provide written information that explains what occurs after the stroke and during recovery or rehabilitation.

Continue reading this very important article HERE.

Stress and the Elderly in Northbrook, Illinois

Stress and the Elderly

Contrary to what we’ve been led to believe, senior living isn’t always the way it’s portrayed in glossy sales brochures and magazine advertisements. Rather than being a carefree period of life spent on the golf course and traveling around the world, for many of today’s seniors those “golden years” are incredibly stressful times.

What causes seniors so much stress? Change is a huge trigger for stress and seniors definitely experience plenty of change. It can be in the form of declining health, death of friends and loved ones, moving, a bad financial investment, and the list goes on. Here are some other reasons why senior living is stressful.

Continue reading HERE. Visit us at www.openarmssolutions.com if you need help for an aging loved one in the Northbrook IL area.

The Hidden Secret of Elder Abuse in Northbrook, Illinois

Many elderly people rely entirely on family or other trusted individuals to help them. Whether it is for physical needs or emotional needs, as people grow older they tend to need more and more help from others. This dependence on caregivers or family members makes an older person more vulnerable for abuse.

For example, an older person relying on her children to provide meals and transportation and help her with financial decisions finds it difficult to complain when one of her children takes advantage of her. If, for instance, the child takes her money, hits her or neglects her care, the parent may be threatened with loss of support from the child if the parent complains. The child may also use threats of violence to keep the parent in line.

It is estimated that 5% to 10% of elderly Americans are suffering abuse. According to the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse,

“Spiraling rates of elder mistreatment are reported by both practitioners and researchers. In a recent national study of Adult Protective Services (APS), typically the agency of first report concerning elder abuse, there were 253,421 reports of abuse of adults age 60+ or 832.6 reports for every 100,000 people over the age of 60 (Teaster, Dugar, Otto, Mendiondo, Abner, & Cecil, 2006). The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study (National Center on Elder Abuse, 1998) found that more than 500,000 persons aged 60+ were victims of domestic abuse and that an estimated 84% of incidents are not reported to authorities, denying victims the protection and support they need.”

Much attention has been focused on abuse in nursing homes but most of the elder abuse in this country is at the hands of family members or other caregivers in the home.

In 2004, Utah Adult Protective Services workers investigated approximately 2,400 allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults. In Utah, a vulnerable adult is defined as an elder adult (65 years of age or older) or an adult (18 years of age or older) who has a mental or physical impairment, which substantially affects that person's ability to protect or provide for themselves. The majority of the victims were females between the ages of 60-89 and 60% of the perpetrators were family members/relatives, while 24% were non-related paid caregivers.

The protective needs identified were as follows:

• self-neglect 31%
• physical abuse 16%
• exploitation 19%
• caretaker neglect 12%
• emotional abuse 19%
• sexual abuse 3%

In conducting the investigations, it was not uncommon to find that adults who were self-neglecting were also being exploited or abused. As stated previously, these statistics are based on approximately 2,400 cases, thus, if only one in ten cases are ever reported, it is possible that there were actually 24,000 or more cases in Utah that year. We suspect 9 out of 10 is close to the actual ratio of unreported versus reported cases in Utah.

We also believe that Utah's lack of reporting elder abuse is not unlike other states in the country. We suspect all the states are experiencing close to the same ratios of underreporting as in Utah.

There are a number of reasons why incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation are not reported to Adult Protective Services or other authorities. One of the most common reasons is the victim's fear of losing support. Many of the perpetrators are family members and the victim fears that reporting the crime will result in removal of the caregiver, as the perpetrator may face incarceration or may discontinue relations with the victim once accused, charged, or convicted. Many of these victims fear that by reporting abuse they will be left alone and expected to care for themselves or they will be forced to live in a nursing home.

Many states have implemented mandatory reporting laws to assist in the prevention of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults. Utah is one of the many states to have a mandatory reporting law (U.C.A. § 76-5-111). Utah law states that any person who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult has been the subject of abuse, neglect, or exploitation shall immediately notify Adult Protective Services or the nearest law enforcement agency. Anyone who makes the report in good faith is immune from civil liability in connection with the report; however, any person who willfully fails to report is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

It is important to note that the anonymity of the person or persons making the initial report and any other persons involved in the subsequent investigation shall be preserved and may only be released in accordance with the rules of the division (U.C.A. § 62A-3-311). In addition, all investigation information is confidential.

The following is a list of indicators of abuse, neglect or exploitation. It is important to note that the following lists are merely indicators and may not always be violations.

Signs of Abuse:

• Unexplained bruises, welts, fractures, abrasions or lacerations
• Multiple bruises in various stages of healing
• Multiple/repeat injuries
• Low self-esteem or loss of self determination
• Withdrawn, passive
• Fearful
• Depressed, hopeless
• Soiled linen or clothing
• Social Isolation

Signs of Neglect/Self-Neglect:

• Dehydration
• Malnourishment
• Inappropriate or soiled clothing
• Odorous
• Over/under medicated
• Deserted, abandoned or unattended
• Lack of medical necessities or assistive devices
• Unclean environment
• Social Isolation

Signs of Exploitation:

• Missing/"disappearing" property
• Inadequate living environment
• Frequent/recent property title changes or will changes
• Excessive home repair bills
• Forced to sign over control of finances
• No/limited money for food, clothes and other amenities

Prevention can only occur if there is awareness, the statutes are adhered to, and any suspicions of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults are immediately reported to Adult Protective Services and/or law enforcement.

All states have agencies that receive complaints of abuse. In some states failure to report abuse of the elderly is a crime. To contact an abuse complaint department, call your local area agency on aging. To find an area agency on aging in your area go to http://www.longtermcarelink.net/eldercare/ref_state_aging_services.htm

Visit us at www.openarmssolutions.com if you need help for an aging loved one in the Northbrook, IL area.

Why In-Home Care May be Right for You in Northbrook, Illinois

Why In-Home Care May be Right for You

I found a great article that talks about the many positive aspects regarding the use of In-Home Care for an aging loved one. If you have any questions at all about Home Care in the area, please visit www.openarmssolutions.com.

“In-Home Care is rapidly becoming the most commonly asked for service among today’s aging population. In-Home Care involves a network of service providers who deliver personal care and maintenance right to the home. These service providers handle routine tasks including light housekeeping, meal preparation, errand running, mail sorting and a whole lot more. If desired, they can also provide assistance with personal care. “

Continue Reading HERE.

Boomer Generation Fears Dementia in Northbrook, Illinois

Baby Boomer Generation Fears Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Memory Loss

“The words dementia, Alzheimer’s and memory loss instills fear of aging in the retiring baby boomer generation. Scientific research now shows that the causes of memory loss can be prevented or delayed. The studies also confirm that memory loss is not a normal process of aging.”

Follow this LINK for the complete article.

Visit us at www.openarmssolutions.com with any questions, or if you need help for an aging loved one in the Northbrook IL area.

Home Safety for Northbrook, Illinois Seniors

Here is a great article I found with easy tips for improving the safety of seniors homes. If you need help for an aging loved one in the Northbrook, Illinois area visit www.openarmssolutions.com.

10 Home Safety Tips for Seniors

People who are 65 and older are at increased risk of a fatal or non-fatal fall in their home.

As people age, they become more susceptible to accidents in the home. Fading eyesight, balance and disorientation problems, and memory loss can all contribute to the possibility of a fall or other home incident.

Here are a few safety tips to keep your loved on safe in their own home.

Finish reading this article HERE.

Are Caregivers Responsible for Parents Debt in Northbrook, Illinois?

Are Caregivers Responsible for Their Parents Debt?

I’m sure many adult children of aging parents and caregivers think about this question a lot. Recently, this article appeared at AgingCare.com, so I thought I would pass it on! If you have any questions, please visit www.openarmssolutions.com.

I was recently asked “Am I responsible for my parent's debt? What if as a caregiver, I recently discovered that my father has several thousand of dollars of debt. Are parent debts transferable?”

Click HERE to read the full article.

How Can Social Support Ease Caregiver Stress in Northbrook, Illinois?

Here is a great article I found that I wanted to share. The original article can be found at http://www.alzinfo.org/alzheimers-caregiving.asp#3. If you have any questions, or need help please visit www.openarmssolutions.com.

How can social support ease caregiver stress?

Two important contributors to caregiver stress are lack of social support and the caregiver's assessment of the behavior of the patient with Alzheimer's. 



Social and family support. Caregivers who lack sufficient or appropriate social support from family and friends are often put under heightened stress. Family conflicts, isolation and loneliness further exacerbate the stress of caregivers. While social support may not affect the primary stress caused by the disease, it can change the caregiver's response to the illness. Feeling supported by family and friends can improve psychological responses to stress and boost the caregiver's sense of well-being. 



The relentless downward course of Alzheimer's disease can have devastating effects on the structure and functioning of the family as well. The person with Alzheimer's gradually relinquishes his or her previous role in the family, and other family members must step in to fill the gaps. In addition, other family members may not recognize that a husband or wife who acts as a primary caregiver has now lost a major source of social support -- the spouse on whom they previously relied. 



When talking about improving social support, the quality of the support is much more important than the number of people who are available to the caregiver or the frequency of contact with members of the caregiver's social network. Family conflict about how and where it is best to care for the patient can be can be very stressful for the primary caregiver. Many caregivers feel resentful of other family members for not providing them with the kind of help they want, although they may not know how to ask for that help or accept help when it is offered. 



Caregiver appraisal. Another source of stress is sometimes referred to as caregiver appraisal. If the caregiver misunderstands the cause of the patient's behavior and interprets it as intentional rather than due to the illness, the caregiver may react with anger, feel rejected or become depressed. If other family members do not understand the disability of the patient, they may criticize the reactions of the caregiver rather than be supportive. 



Caregiving, in and of itself, can become tedious, frustrating and isolating. An important aspect of helping the Alzheimer's caregiver is to make caregivers and other family members aware of the availability and value of formal support. Caregivers can benefit from formal support services such as in home respite or day care programs for the patient and support groups for themselves in conjunction with the informal support of family and friends.

Choose a Home Care Agency in Northbrook, Illinois

Know the Difference Between Hiring Private Caregivers and Using a Home Care Agency

I found this article in the Wall Street Journal and decided to pass it on to all of you. If you are considering hiring home care services, it's important to know what the family's legal and financial responsibilities are when it comes to private caregivers. Ultimately, in may be a better option to hire a home care agency. See link to the Wall Street Journal article below, and as always if you have questions or need help, please visit our website www.openarmssolutions.com.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123742280124379005.html

What is Long-Term Care Insurance? Find out more about your options in Northbrook, Illinois

Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance

Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance used to be viewed as “nursing home insurance” because most policies from 15 years ago only offered that one option. Today, that is hardly the case. Long-term care insurance now covers adult day care, in-home care, assisted living, and nursing home care. These policies are considered comprehensive in nature. Now we refer to long-term care insurance as “lifestyle insurance”.

Who CAN’T Get Long-Term Care Insurance?

Underwriting Explained

When you apply for a Long-Term Care Insurance plan, you must go through underwriting. Underwriting means that the company will check your medical records to determine what medical problems you may currently have, or have had in the past. They want to know your overall health history. If you have been diagnosed with short-term memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or if you have had a stroke with permanent physical impairment, you may not qualify. People who have survived cancer and are treatment free for a certain length of time can often qualify. Each insurance company has their own underwriting guidelines. It is best to talk to your agent, or call the company directly with any specific questions about health issues. Height and weight are also a consideration when applying. Sometimes the insurance company will send a registered nurse to the home to ask a few questions, and take some more medical history, or they may just call on the phone for a brief interview.

Qualifying to USE the Benefits of a Long-Term Care Insurance Plan

Activities of Daily Living

When it’s time to use your tax qualified Long-Term Care Insurance plan (taxes to be discussed in a later chapter), the insured person must need help or substantial assistance with 2 out of 6 activities of daily living for a period of 90 days or greater. This need for care must be certified by a licensed healthcare practitioner such as a nurse or physician.

These activities of daily living include:

q Bathing

q Dressing

q Eating

q Toileting

q Continence

q Transferring (i.e.moving from the bed to a chair)

Or, the insured must have a cognitive impairment, like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. A cognitive impairment means that although a person may be physically able to perform all of the activities listed above, they cannot remember or rationalize how to do those activities. One example would be bathing. Sometimes people with dementia are physically able to take a bath, but can’t remember to do so, or can’t remember why this is important. Or, perhaps when getting dressed, they put on 5 shirts instead of one.

Comprehensive vs. Facility Only Plans

Comprehensive Plans

A comprehensive plan covers all aspects of long-term care: in-home care, adult day care, assisted living, and nursing home care. These plans are designed to help people stay at home longer, and also assist them with transitions to other levels of care as needed. Most consumers want to stay at home for as long as possible. A comprehensive plan will satisfy that desire.

Facility Only Coverage

Facility only plans are still available on the market today. Facility only plans pay for just that, facility care only. Usually this includes assisted living and nursing home care. A facility only plan makes the most sense for folks who do not have a large network of family and friends around them, and for people who know that this may be their only option in the future. Facility only plans are less costly than comprehensive plans, but again, offer payment only for nursing home and assisted living care. The insured person cannot live at home and use the benefits of a facility only plan.

Benefit Period

The benefit period is the length of time the policy will actually pay for care. There are many different benefit periods available including 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 7 years, 10 years, and unlimited lifetime coverage. When purchasing long-term care insurance, keep in mind that premiums are paid for potentially the next 20 years (or until the policy holder needs care), but the plan will only last about as long as the benefit period originally selected.

People often ask, “How do I know which benefit period to choose?” “How do I know how long I might need care?”

Obviously, there is no way to really determine how long a person might need care. However, the best advice is for each individual to take a look at their own personal health history, and their family history. If there is a history of chronic disease such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, it might be worthwhile to consider a longer benefit period.

Visit us at www.openarmssolutions.com if you need help with Long Term Care Insurance, or with the care of an aging loved one in the Northbrook, IL area.

Does Your Loved One Need a Caregiver in Northbrook, Illinois?

I found this article, and decided to pass it on to you. It provides extremely helpful information that may help you with your decision to choose home care for an aging loved one in your family. If you have questions or need help, please visit our website www.openarmssolutions.com.

30 Reasons Your Loved One May Need a Caregiver

By Rebecca Colmer

There are approximately 37 million people over the age of 65 and 5.3 million people over the age of 85. Each year millions of older people start requiring some sort of assistance to carry out their routine daily activities. Family members (family caregivers) provide most of the help.

It is not always easy to know when to intervene. It may seem like your loved one is in a gray area somewhere between competency and incompetence.

Your loved one can have a behavior that is not life threatening but still very serious. Making an assessment is the very step.

Here are some clues that your loved one may need some extra help:

1. Disheveled clothes

2. Stained or dirty clothes The same outfit worn everyday

3. Unkempt hair

4. Poor hygiene

5. Bad breath

6. Body odor

7. Having trouble walking

8. Having trouble sleeping

9. Dangerous driving

10. Extreme clutter in the home

11. Can't do light housekeeping

12. Items not returned to drawers or cupboards

13. Clothes strewn about or left on floor

14. Medication bottles left open

15. Medications taken out of original containers and mixed up

16. Not much food in house

17. Spoiled or rotten food

18. Unpaid bills

19. Penalties for overdue bills

20. Unopened mail

21. Put on or lost a lot of weight that is unexplained

22. Signs of confusion

23. Signs of forgetfulness

24. Signs of isolation

25. Signs of depression

26. Drastic mood swings

27. Extreme sadness or loneliness

28. Loss of interest in favorite hobby

29. Stopped doing things they used to enjoy like gardening, reading, going to church, seeing friends

30. Can't cope with everyday stress

If you do not live near your aging parents, ask a neighbor or friend to keep an eye on your parents and notify you if they notice any changes in their behavior.

Even if you determine that your loved one needs some assistance, keep in mind that they may be resistant to your help. Be gentle and compassionate when asking them to accept help.

It may take several tries before they start to accept your help. There is a big difference in offering help and completely taking away all of their independence.

However, if your parent's life is in danger and you can't find a way to intervene, call Adult Protective Services, which is a part of the Department of Social Services. They will send a nurse or social worker to your parent's home to determine the risks and find ways to protect your parent.

The caregiver role is complex and differs for everyone depending on the needs of the care-receiver. Many times, in the beginning, there may only be a few needs, such as providing transportation or helping with shopping or cooking. Over time, needs increase, requiring additional services, until the care-receiver is fully dependent on the caregiver.

Rebecca Colmer is an Eldercare Advocate, Author, Speaker, Publisher, and Caregiver Expert. You can find more caregiving tools and resources at her website:Caregiving Tools

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Sharp_Colmer

Insuring Your Retirement Funds in Northbrook, Illinois

It might sound strange to be told to insure your retirement funds, but after working hard and diligently saving all that money, wouldn't you want to make sure that the funds will be there for you when you need them?

As you move into retirement, you are also moving towards age-related health problems. Events beyond your control, such as stroke, heart disease and cognitive impairment can change one's way of life.

Many people are under the impression that government programs such as Medicare or Medicaid will cover the costs of long term care. Medicare will cover some skilled nursing for a limited period. Medicaid will only cover long term care costs for impoverished individuals. Health insurance does not cover nursing home or other long term care costs except for short-term rehabilitation.

Out of pocket costs for needed long term care resulting from age-related health problems such as home care, nursing home or assisted living will quickly deplete retirement funds and leave the remaining healthy spouse impoverished.

Long term care insurance is the answer to insure your retirement funds and provide protection so that the money stays intact and at the same time insurance provides a way to pay for elder care services.

In his book “ The Total Money Makeover ,” Dave Ramsey says of long term care insurance, "If you are over sixty, buy long term care insurance to cover in-home care or nursing home care. The average nursing home stay costs $40,000 per year, which will crack and scramble a nest egg in a heartbeat. Dad in the nursing home can use up Mom's $250,000 savings in just a few short years.”

Long term care Insurance to insure your retirement makes sense. You insure your car against damage, your home against fire, and you purchase life insurance, so why not insure what can be the largest and most devastating risk to you and your family? And unlike the other risks you insure against, long term care is the most likely to happen. Long term care insurance will also help you keep your independence and dignity and allow you to make choices about where you want to spend your final years.

Here are some specific reasons for buying long term care insurance:

• If you are married and you have a need for long term care, your spouse will be able to pay for an outside caregiver and receive needed rest and recuperation.

• If your children promise to take care of you, then when the time comes that you need care, insurance will help them do that by paying for aides to help with tasks such as bathing and incontinence.

• If you are single and a need for long term care arises and you have no family who can help you, insurance can pay for and coordinate that care.

• If you have the desire to leave assets behind when you die, insurance will help preserve those assets from the cost of long term care.

"You should also consider buying long term care insurance at a younger age. There is an advantage for doing this. The premium is lower.

For example, a person, currently age 45, buying a typical policy with a spouse, could spend $21,146 in total premiums to age 78.

Suppose this same person chooses to wait to buy the equivalent coverage at age 65.

If that same policy were available in the future, the couple that waits could pay $52,566 in total premiums over their 13 remaining years to age 78. Because they waited, they would pay 2 ½ times more for the same policy.

In addition to the rates going up with age, the health qualifications will be stricter and development of health problems related to aging may even disqualify a person from obtaining a policy." “The 4 Steps of Long Term Care Planning,” National Care Planning Council

There are dozens of long term care insurance companies selling a multitude of different policy options. It can become very confusing. For each policy, there are literally thousands of benefit combinations for home care, assisted living, nursing home care, waiting periods, payment amounts, inflation riders, and the list goes on.

You can take the time to do your own research or find a competent long term care insurance agent.

Here is a checklist of some of the things you need to know before you purchase a policy.

LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE BUYING CHECKLIST

The more "yes" answers you get the better off you are.

1) Is the insurance company rated by A. M. Best (the rating company)

with a rating of at least A, A+ or A++?

2) Is it a large diversified company with deep pockets and selling more

than just long term care insurance?

3) Is the insurance representative an expert in long term care

insurance? (Because of its complexity, almost all LTCi experts only

sell LTCi; they seldom sell anything else.)

4) Does the representative have a degree and/or industry financial

designations?

5) Does the representative own a personal long term care insurance

policy for himself or herself?

6) Is the policy you like tax qualified, and if not, do you understand the

ramifications?

7) Are there at least 6 ADL's (Activities of Daily Living) allowed for

in the benefit certification?

8) Does it allow "standby assistance"?

9) Is it a "pool of money" as opposed to a "stated period"?

10) Is it "integrated" as opposed to "2-pool"? (2-pool is not allowed in

many states.)

11) Do you understand how the elimination period works? (This is

extremely important.)

12) Does it have prohibitive cost containment provisions?

13) Is there any "capping" or other future reduction of automatic benefit

increase riders?

14) Do you understand how the waiver of premium works?

15) Does the assisted living facility benefit pay the same as for nursing

home?

16) Are you buying adequate home care coverage?

17) Does the company have a history of premium rate stability without

periodic increases?

18) Does the policy pay for homemaker services?

19) Does the policy offer an alternative plan of care for services that

don't exist today?

The National Care Planning Council provides a list of long term care insurance specialists and on its website at www.longtermcarelink.net .

If you need help with Long Term Care Insurance, or Home Care for Seniors in the Northbrook Illinois area, visit www.openarmssolutions.com.