Can You Really Take The Pain Out Of The Nursing Home Decision?
Nursing home issues are so emotional because they are typically made during a health care crisis. At some point in your life, you or someone you care about will spend time in a nursing home According to insurance industry studies 1 out of 2 people over the age of 65 will spend time in a nursing home. The older we get the more likely we’ll need that kind of care. The secret to managing an “unexpected “ crisis is to plan for it. Organize yourself now, and you critical health care issues are less likely to grow into a financial and family crisis later. If you are younger and have no older family to worry about, “later” could be decades away. If you are already retired or have elderly parents to care for, “later” could be 5 years away. Or it could be next week. Plan for nursing home care as if you'll need it next week. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, cancer, strokes and falls don’t wait for until we’ve planned for them. They show up at our doorstep completely unannounced. That's why you’re better off planning for their arrival now, even if they never show up. These basic guidelines will help you keep a health issue from growing into a serious financial and emotional problem for your family. Be realistic about your future health care
needs. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention half of physician's visits and hospital stays are by older adults. The average age of nursing home residents is 81. That means you'll find 60 and 70 year olds in the nursing home along with 85 and 90 year olds. Contain the crisis before it
happens. Prevent this crisis by finding out ahead of time how nursing homes work. Learn about the laws that protect nursing home residents and their families by visiting with an elder law attorney. To find an elder law attorney new you, use the excellent searchable directory of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys at www.NAELA.com. Talk to your family. No one likes to think about losing control over their bodies. But as we age, that’s what happens. With that loss can come a loss of independence. Think about this: If you become seriously ill because of a stroke, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s Disease or can no longer care for yourself safely due to a hip fracture or severe arthritis or osteoporosis, who will take care of you? Because our society is so mobile many elderly have no family near by. The National Council on Aging says 3.3 million baby boomers are providing long-distance care. It's a terrible strain on the care giver. Let your family know now what your care preferences are. Find out it they can meet them. Be sure to consider the financial aspects as well. If your family can't provide proper care, work out a "Plan B" so your safety will always be assured. Know how you’ll pay for it. Nursing homes are expensive. MetLife’s latest study (2005) pegs the average cost of a private nursing home room at $70,400. Costs vary around the country so your area could be more or less. With the average stay 894 days you could be staring at a $172, 431 bill. Your health insurance won’t cover it. Don’t count on Medicare, either. If it covers at all, it’s only for skilled nursing care and only for a limited number of days. How will you manage nursing home costs? You should consult an attorney and financial advisor who specializes in late life planning. Look for someone skilled in Medicaid eligibility rules and nursing home law to help you plan for the future. Learn what's available. Alternatives to nursing home care could work for you, too. As part of your nursing home decision, find out if other forms of care are suitable. In home assistance could be work. So might assisted living facilities, board and care homes. Virtually every state has organizations that can help you select the proper venue for care. Start with the local Agency on Aging in your area. ---
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