The SCAN Foundation has a great list of ten things every family should know if you are providing care to an older loved one or may be providing care to an older loved one:
1. You are not alone
2. Different people need different kinds of support
3. Support that family members give counts
4. Long-term care is expensive
5. Medicare doesn’t pay
6. Talk to your loved ones
7. Talk with your loved one’s doctor(s)
8. Build a circle of support
9. We all want to age with dignity, choice and independence
10. Your voice is important
Each of these ten points is detailed below.
Robin
www.thescanfoundation.org/10-things-every-family-should-know-about-aging-dignity-and-independence
10 Things Every Family Should Know About Aging with Dignity and Independence
SCAN Foundation
November 6, 2012
1. You are not alone
Today, there are nearly 67 million people in America providing assistance to a spouse, parent, relative, or even a neighbor. As individuals grow older, they are more likely to need assistance that will enable them to live with dignity and independence in their homes and communities. Start preparing today by talking with your family about what aging with dignity means to you, and ask for help if you need it.
2. Different people need different kinds of support
Older people with health conditions and difficulties with daily activities have a variety of needs such as preparing meals, getting in and out of bed, getting dressed or going to the bathroom, and running errands like going to the grocery store or the doctor. All of these routine activities that we often take for granted as part of our everyday lives are vital to allowing individuals to age with dignity and independence.
3. Support that family members give counts
Family caregivers make up the backbone of support to older Americans. There are usually three different ways that families can help an older loved one get the support they need: physical or hands-on care, financial support, emotional support to their loved one, especially as health issues become more complicated. Whether you are providing one of these types of support or all three, a little bit of care from family can go a long way towards helping loved ones stay in their homes and communities as their abilities change.
4. Long-term care is expensive
Paying for daily support services can add up. In 2011, the average cost of having a part-time aide come to your home averaged about $21,840 per year, and the average cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home was $78,110. Such high costs are often unaffordable for the majority of the nation’s middle-class families.
5. Medicare doesn’t pay
Many people mistakenly believe that Medicare will pay for long-term services and supports. The reality is that Medicare only pays for short-term rehabilitative care.
6. Talk to your loved ones
Planning ahead is important. Do not wait for an emergency or other critical incident to start discussing care needs of your loved ones. To ensure that they receive the best care possible that honors their wishes and desires, begin a dialogue about these issues now.
7. Talk with your loved one’s doctor(s)
People’s health needs can change over time. There are a number of important conversations to have with your loved one’s doctor(s) to make sure he or she is getting the right care at the right time and from the right professional.
8. Build a circle of support
Your loved one may have identified a surrogate decision maker in case he or she is unable to make health decisions on their own, so be sure to find out who that person is. There may also be others who are counted upon to help make important decisions, such as attorneys, financial planners, insurance providers, family members and others.
9. We all want to age with dignity, choice and independence
This means being able to live life to the fullest, regardless of our daily abilities or physical limitations. Find out how your loved one defines living with dignity, choice and independence and have that be part of your master plan for securing care and services for him or her.
10. Your voice is important
Decisions are being made at the state and federal level that could impact the services that are available to you and your loved ones. It is important for you to stay informed, get involved, and take action. Talk with your local, state, and federal officials about what kind of support you want as you grow older.