by Linda Melbardis | Aug 17, 2016 | Uncategorized
Children who find themselves caring for their aging parents often can lose track of their own situation. They may be meticulously watching their parent(s)’s finances while neglecting their own. They also may consider quitting or cutting back on hours worked in order to find time to be a good caregiver. In this continuation of my series on caring for aging parents and as the owner of an assisted living facility in Parker, Colorado, let me offer the following tips… 1. Look at your finances and your budget in several ways. First, make a care-giving budget. By this I mean, put together a comprehensive look at your options and what you could be spending on care-giving. That could be anything from giving up your job to take over this time-consuming task, to finding an assisted living facility that provides health care and other support. If you quit your job or cut back on hours worked, you’ll also need to take into account the benefits offered by your job, such as health insurance and retirement plans, which could be costly to replace. You also should look at your future and whether quitting a job could damage your prospects of finding work in later years. In this review, don’t forget to include your parent(s)’s resources and how they might come into play. Second, maintain your own budget. Track your income and expenses, and pay off your debt and bills. If time is becoming an issue, consider auto-pay for some of your bills. That way, they won’t be overlooked and go unpaid, resulting in needless late payment or interest charges. 2. Save for...
by | Jul 14, 2016 | Uncategorized
It’s a situation not many adults thought they’d find themselves in – taking care of both their parents and their children. In fact, most people never expect to have a parent living with them, especially while their children are still at home. But it is happening more and more with an estimated 9 million+ Americans finding themselves a part of what is being called the Sandwich Generation. Since July is National Sandwich Generation Month, I thought I’d take this opportunity to look at these amazing people. First, let’s define them in general terms. Social worker Dorothy Miller originally coined the term in 1981, referring to women in their 30s and 40s who were taking care of both their children and parents. That has changed over the years to include male caregivers and people who are in their 50s. The situation has developed for three reasons: Delayed parenting. Many couples are waiting to start their families in their mid to late 30s and even early 40s. Increased life spans. With the better health care that is now available, people are living much longer. Finances. The recession, lack of retirement planning or lack of employment opportunities can bring both parents and children to the home of the middle-aged adults. While being part of the Sandwich Generation can be stressful, time-consuming and a financial burden, there are some benefits. One, in particular, is the wonderful family bonding that can occur. Younger children can really get to know their grandparents and vice versa. Elderly parents and their children can also get to know each other on a much different, deeper level that is...
by | May 22, 2016 | Uncategorized
It can be a difficult process when children become the responsible parties for their aging parents. Both sides have to adjust when the younger generation comes in to take care of and make decisions for their mother and/or father who raised them and made all of their early-life decisions. Watching parents lose their independence, due to physical and/or mental reasons, can be extremely challenging to deal with. For some, it can come as quite a shock, which is compounded by the added responsibility. As a caregiver for the elderly, I am starting a series this month about the various issues that people face as their parents age. I’ll talk about everything from today’s topic – role reversal – to finances and sharing responsibilities with siblings. For children in a new role as the “adult” or “parental figure” in the relationship, one of the best suggestions I can make is to make sure you communicate with your parents, so that you can learn and respect their desires. That means having candid conversations with them about upcoming choices and decisions that will have to be made, such as living arrangements, finances and medical care, including advanced directives or living wills. You also need to make sure you don’t go overboard. As children, it won’t do you any good to spend every waking hour visiting them and making sure they are taken care of. If they move to an assisted living facility, such as Country Home Assisted Living in Parker, you will know they are well taken care of – even if you are not there. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit....
by | Apr 19, 2016 | Uncategorized
Colorado’s Medicaid program is changing its name. Beginning May 1, 2016, the program will be known as Health First Colorado. Why should you care and why is the owner of an assisted living facility in Elbert County writing about this topic? The answer is simple. If you are looking at assisted living options for you or a loved one, Medicaid may be available to offer some financial assistance. As you peruse and research your options, you should now “Google” Health First Colorado. Medicaid is funded in part by the federal government and in part by the states. Because states are given some flexibility, the available Medicaid assistance for assisted living changes with each state. Colorado offers assistance through the Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver. As a side note, it also refers to assisted living as “alternative care facilities.” Not all facilities that offer alternative care accept Medicaid – or Health First Colorado. At Country Home Assisted Living, we are one of the few in the Parker area that does. In states, like Colorado, where the assisted is offered through waivers instead of general Medicaid dollars, you’ll learn that there are enrollment caps. Since only a limited number of individuals can receive assistance at any given time and since there are a limited number of facilities that accept Medicaid, waiting lists are common. That’s why I want you to plan ahead and be informed about all of your options. By the way, the rebranding of Colorado Medicaid’s program to Health First Colorado is part of a state effort to give public health care a better image. “Over the past few...
by | Aug 14, 2015 | Uncategorized
Families and friends play an important role in the happiness and well-being of residents in assisted living facilities. As a long-time owner of Country Home Assisted Living in Parker, Colo., I always encourage families and friends to stay involved. I want them to visit frequently. I encourage them to take their loves ones out of our eight-bed facility in Elbert County – whether it’s for a meal, a drive, a family event or doctor’s appointment. Some of my families come and visit at least once a week. Others take their loved ones out every week for a meal or drive. One son picks up his mother twice a week so that they can enjoy breakfast or lunch together – outings that always brighten her day. In looking out for the well-being of my residents, I strongly suggest that family members and friends stop by to visit and check on their loved ones. While I know that I provide quality care to all of Country Home’s residents, I want input from friends and families on how their elder family member or friend is doing. It’s not just my firsthand knowledge of how this support helps their overall attitude that makes me recommend this involvement. Studies have shown that residents of assisted living facilities have a higher level of life satisfaction when they are visited at least once a month by family members. Visits from friends and family have also been associated with better psychological and psychosocial well-being. So, regardless of where you place your elder family member or friend, make sure you take time to visit, get them out and...
by | Jul 15, 2015 | Uncategorized
It probably comes as no surprise that pets make people feel happy. When you look at a cute dog or a playful kitten, you will probably smile and maybe even laugh. But pets also are good for the health of their human counterparts, especially those suffering a serious illness or seniors living in assisted living facilities, such as Country Home Assisted Living. Researchers and health-care professionals often site multiple examples of how pets help the elderly, both physically and mentally. For example, just 15 minutes of bonding with a pet can prompt the release of a number of “feel-good” hormones, including serotonin. Pets can also create a setting where individuals who have been unresponsive to other therapies will brighten up and interact with the animal, giving them new meaning and improving their overall well-being. In nursing homes, dogs have been credited with reducing residents’ need for medications, as well as improving their vital signs, physical functioning, and increasing engagement and social interaction. This can all lead to less loneliness, boredom, agitation and depression. Pet therapy, also known as Animal Assisted Therapy, has been a way of life for Country Home for 11 years, when Romeo, a cute little Bichon Frise was brought in at 10 weeks old. Romeo is a natural therapy dog who loves women and wants to be with them all of the time. According to one of Country Home’s previous residents, “that little dog knew I wasn’t feeling good and stayed with me and would not leave my side.” In his younger years, Romeo also provided quite a bit of entertainment for the assisted living facility’s...
