1. If you’re in good health, you should be considering purchasing long-term care insurance. This insurance will pay all or part of your home care or assisted living costs when facing care needs. It’s a costly insurance, probably in the range of $300-$400 per month. However, it will potentially cover care costs in the range of $6,000-$10,000 per month when it’s needed.     nnn
2. Pay attention to your changing health care needs, any chronic conditions that may impact your ability to care for yourself. If your physician and nurse are indicating that you may need some extra help, take it seriously. Many Fox Cities Physician offices have social workers you can speak with to gather more information.
3. Understand your financial situation. Are you able to set aside funds for care, or do you already have long-term care insurance? Having 2+ years of private pay (personal) funds to pay for care will give you access to most Northeast Wisconsin care facilities. That total number currently (savings + monthly income over the 2 years) is sitting at about $160,000. If you need help calculating this, our team of advisors can help you.

4. Matching up care needs with safe facilities that match your care requirements today and down the road as well as your budget can be an eye-opening process or a daunting task. Either way, a CarePatrol Senior Advisor can come alongside you to help narrow down the best options.

5. If you do not have the funds to be able to afford the 2 years of private pay, at least try to set aside enough for 3-6 months. This will be helpful to you in an urgent situation where you can pay for your care in a facility for several months while you apply for Medicaid support funding. (note-when applying for Medicaid personal asset levels must down to $2,000 value).  If you do not have at least a few months of private pay funds available, it’s even more critical for you to plan ahead. Get in touch with your county Aging and Disability Resource Center, who can guide you to resources and funding options as your need for support continues to grow. Don’t wait until an emergency, as you will find yourself in a pressure situation.

6. Planning ahead will save you and your loved one’s time, money, stress and a myriad of other problems when care is needed. If at any time you would like no cost guidance, you can reach out to our Fox Valley CarePatrol office at 920-428-0827 to speak with a local senior care advisor.

Michelle Graf,

Owner & Certified Senior Advisor

CarePatrol Fox Cites, Oshkosh, Green Bay

through the eyes of a Wisconsin-Based Senior Care Advisor…

As a Senior Care Advisor based out of Appleton, Wisconsin, I find that many of my senior clients and their families are unclear about the differences between Medicare and Medicaid. While my expertise of these programs is basic, I am knowledgeable on how they work in relation to the people my team and I at CarePatrol serve; those who are needing support with their daily activities and/or personal cares. They are considering assisted living or home care, or they are wrapping up a rehab in a skilled facility and are unsure about next steps. In an attempt to clear up some of the misunderstandings of what insurance will and will not cover, I wrote up 5 basic things that I wish every family understood about Medicare and Medicaid.

1. Medicare is the government-sponsored health insurance available to senior citizens who qualify based on their age and to others based on their disability. Just like private insurance, this is health care coverage. There are some wellness benefits and some acute care benefits.
2. Medicaid is government – sponsored insurance designed as a safety net for those who are unable to afford other insurance coverage or who have significant ongoing care needs that are not covered by health insurance, and the person does not have more than $2,000/$3,000 in assets (excluding the home in which they live and 1 car).
3. Medicare will pay for short-term rehabilitation in a skilled care nursing home. This most commonly follows an acute care hospitalization to trigger an authorization by Medicare. A short-term rehab can last from 7-120 days. Most Medicare insurance providers will quote the 120 days of eligibility, but in reality most people we see are granted about 2-3 weeks of rehabilitation in a skilled facility.
4. Medicaid is a wonderful safety net to ensure that nearly all American’s can receive the care that they need. However, the providers who accept Medicaid are limited, and those who do accept often limit the number of people who are on Medicaid due to the relatively low reimbursement rates.
5. All seniors, whether on Medicare or Medicaid will have options for their medical and their long-term care. However, just like in our everyday lives, those with the best coverage and ability to pay with personal funds/equity will have access to the most and the best quality care options.

Do you have questions about long-term care and how to pay for it? Call your Fox Cities CarePatrol Senor Advisor team at 920-428-0827 carepatrol.com

I never had much opportunity to be with the residents but loved talking with them when I could.  One morning I decided to go and introduce myself to the gentleman that I noticed in the dining room the night before. He graciously invited me into his apartment and the first thing he said was, “Kim, I have Parkinson’s.” This gentleman was very comfortable and knowledgeable talking about his disease.  He explained that he has had this disease for over 20 years and it is getting harder for him now to do the normal daily tasks. I thanked him for helping me understand. I felt inspired when I left and blessed to have learned about his condition. He had a wonderful sense of humor and continued to demonstrate incredible perseverance. From that moment, I felt a need to become an advocate for people with Parkinson’s. 

April is Parkinson’s awareness month.  This special month allows us to become educated in this life changing disease and learn the many symptoms that impact a person in their daily life. My advocacy has led to Parkinson’s support groups along with an annual awareness event called Pitching for Parkinson’s.  Please take a moment this month to learn more about Parkinson’s. A great resource is the Wisconsin Parkinson’s Association.  If you have any questions regarding the Parkinson’s support groups or Pitching for Parkinson’s reach out to me at kpatterson@carepatrol.com   

 Kim Patterson

Every day, family caregivers all over Wisconsin are giving from their hearts. They are sacrificing personal time and personal commitments to be there for those who need them most.

Regardless of whether you are a neighbor, a friend or family member of the caregiver, or the person who receives support from the caregiver, please take a moment to show your appreciation for all that they do.

Just recognizing them as a caregiver and acknowledging their efforts is valuable. Like so many caregivers, they simply provide the care without recognizing their sacrifice.

A word of Thanks –  Say it, write it, text it if you must. Something as simple as a thank you reminds the caregiver that their sacrifice has not gone unnoticed.

A small gift of appreciation – Send them a box of candy,  or buy them a meal. A little treat or a meal that someone else makes can be just the thing a caregiver needs to keep up their energy and focus.

Somone to talk with – The Fox Valley area has many support groups for Family Caregivers. These facilitator-led groups generally are comprised of caregivers who discuss and support each other by sharing challenges AND solutions. Learning from someone that has already faced similar situations can be inspiring. If you need help locating an appropriate support group, reach out to our office.

Step in for a day or a week – In order for a family caregiver to be successful, they need periodic days off or vacations just like we all do from our work lives. Offer to fill in so they can take a day off to get some personal errands run. Or, they may need to get away for a relaxing weekend or a vacation. Help them find support for those breaks, even if you personally cannot provide that care directly. Reach out to your local Northeast Wisconsin CarePatrol Advisor who can connect you with additional resources and ideas for respite breaks for the caregivers.

Look around you to find the people who are supporting others in so many ways. Recognize them for their hard work, personal dedication, and heart of a caregiver…especially if that person is you.

Michelle Graf

Certified Senior Advisor

CarePatrol Fox Cities, Oshkosh and Green Bay

Planning for Your Loved One’s Future

Have you decided it’s time for a serious family discussion about your loved one’s needs? Perhaps you’ve seen some early warning signs that cause concern, such as physical limitations or changes in behavior. You’re not alone; it’s estimated that more than half of all seniors will need some type of long-term care services in their lifetimes.

Reasons to Hold a Family Meeting

Talking about next steps is a difficult conversation, but the sooner family members and caregivers can discuss options, the better care your loved one will receive, which needs to remain the focus of any meeting. Some family members are often unaware of changes taking place. A meeting can bring concerns to light, and bringing everyone together to discuss roles and options can alleviate the pressures placed on certain individuals. Talking about issues, sharing information and discussing ideas will almost always be beneficial when conducted appropriately.

Determine Who Should Attend a Family Meeting

The first person you need to include is your loved one. Even if issues such as dementia, physical limitations or reluctance exist, his or her choices and dignity need to be upheld and respected. Ultimately, it’s your decision and that of your loved one, but don’t purposely exclude them. Others to invite include your loved one’s close family members or friends, personal caregivers, neighbors or a trusted religious advisor. Be inclusive but try to limit the group to no more than 10 people.

But You Don’t Know My Family!

There are often family divides — both geographic and relational — that make a meeting challenging. Planning a meeting around a holiday gathering or special family event may be a good option and, if necessary, video chat apps can help to overcome travel limitations. Family conflicts are often the most difficult challenge to overcome. When requesting the meeting, it may be appropriate to acknowledge that tensions exist, but stress putting aside personal agendas to focus on your loved one’s needs. There is no perfect resolution, and compromise will be necessary. Focus on the future, not past hurts.

Create an Agenda and Assign Roles

A family meeting should not be a free-for-all. Assign a facilitator, note taker and timekeeper, and arrange a comfortable meeting place with snacks and beverages. Share an agenda with attendees in advance and allow for feedback. There will be multiple opinions about what’s most important, so start by asking your loved one about his or her main concerns. Consider discussing the pros and cons of staying home rather than only talking about leaving. Include ground rules in your agenda: show respect, agree that it’s ok to disagree and avoid verbal attacks or criticism.

Family Meeting Follow Up

After the meeting, send out notes to those involved and those who couldn’t make it. Remind everyone about tasks that may have been assigned. Set a time for future meetings to address any changes that may warrant intervention. As part of the initial meeting, you should have discussed a back-up plan in the event your loved one suddenly is no longer able to stay at home. It’s important to research and visit potential retirement communities in advance and to get put on a waiting list so you’re not forced to make a rash and uninformed decision, and remind your loved one that being on a waiting list doesn’t require moving in when your name comes up.

Ask for Help

Rallying around a loved one for a common purpose can actually ease tensions among family members and strengthen relationships. A helpful tip may be to include an objective third party who has expertise in elder care, either to help plan in advance or as part of your meeting. Some charge and others, like CarePatrol, are a free service. One of their Certified Senior Advisors can help you explore solutions and provide options for the future, whether it’s in-home care or assisted living.

Many conversations throughout life make us uncomfortable. The first time you had to tell your parents you wrecked the car. The talk your parents had with you about puberty. The discussion with your spouse about who would raise your children if you couldn’t. The conversations that trump these in the awkwardness factor all pertain to having to talk about aging and health with your parents.

Some of the topics you will need to address over time include advanced healthcare directives, do not resuscitate orders, finances, stopping driving, bringing in home care or moving to assisted living. These conversations can cause divides in a family leaving mom and dad feeling angry.

In this article, I’m going to share with you some tried and true tips for approaching these sensitive topics that will help each party be heard and leave their dignity intact.  

Tip #1: Prepare your parents.

No one likes to be blindsided. Before having a meaningful conversation with your aging parents and family members, let them know why you want to talk, what you want to talk about, and then meet with them at their convenience. When you approach anyone off-guard, you leave them feeling attacked and immediately put them on the defensive.

Tip #2: Be clear in the “why.”

These conversations are awkward. And without a clear reason why you want to have them, suspicion and a feeling that there are ulterior motives can develop. Let your folks know why you want to have this conversation. Something I said to my parents was “Mom, dad; I want together to go over what your advanced healthcare directives are. I know that you travel a lot and if something should happen to you, I need to know where to find the paperwork, and who you want making your health care decisions if both of you unable to care for the other.” It might feel like you’re nosey, but there’s a definite and honest ‘why’ to the conversation.

Tip #3: Get your siblings on the same page.

Questions about care and finances cause drifts between even the closest of families. Before meeting with your parents, get the siblings together and let them know why you are going to have this conversation, what their concerns are. Reassure them that all the decisions are your parents and that you know they want their parents’ wishes respected. Once you’re all on the same page, bring in a Certified Senior Advisor to work as an intermediary to make sure everyone hears the same thing when it comes to your parents’ or family member’s wishes.

Tip #4: Repeat for clarification.

Everyone wants to be heard. Everyone wants to know you’ve listened to them. One of the best communication techniques to use is repeating for clarification. For example: “Dad, what I hear you say is that if you do need in-home care that you want a male caregiver, is that correct?” or “Mom, if what I’m hearing is correct, you are stating that you’ve set up a burial trust to cover funeral expenses and have a long-term care insurance policy to pay for assisted living, but in the meantime you have investments, social security and a pension to cover your living expenses?” Then pause and let them confirm.

Tip #5: Respect their wishes.

When it comes to taking care of a loved one, we always think that we know best, but at the end of the day, when it comes to care and finances, that is up to the individual. Your parents are adults, they raised you and did an excellent job of it, and they have the right to live their lives how they see fit. Calmly express your concerns, but if they wish to do something else, you need to respect their wishes.

Tip #6: Avoid bringing up the topic all the time.

We all want best for our loved ones, but if you’ve said your peace or they don’t wish to have the conversation at all, you need to respect that and avoid bringing it up every time you visit together. If you continue to beat the proverbial dead horse, it will make things awkward and limit the time you have together making memories and sharing the love.

Tip #7: Keep the peace.

I know I’ve said this a few times, but these are sensitive subjects that often leave emotional nerves raw. If you are meeting as a family, be that voice of reason. Call for time-outs, keep the volume at a conversational level rather than yelling. These decisions are hard, and your family is far more important than them.

Tip #8: Start the conversations early.

If you are the parent and are age 65 and older, start these conversations with your adult children. Start planning before the crises happen. It will give you the feeling of control over the decisions in your life and reduce the stress your children will go through when they don’t know or understand your wishes.

Tip #9: Contract with a Certified Senior Advisor.

Working with a Certified Senior Advisor can help keep you all on the same page while making sure your loved one’s wishes are being heard. In most cases, there is no charge to work with Certified Senior Advisor, but if there is, it’s well worth the investment. They understand the issues and challenges we face as we age.

From understanding, Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Plans, advanced healthcare directives, financial power-of-attorney to senior housing, rehabilitation stays, assisted living and home care, a qualified Certified Senior Advisor will bring compassion and understanding while they help you and your family navigate through the issues regarding aging.

According to AAA, nearly 83 percent of older drivers report never speaking to a family member or a physician about their safe driving ability. In addition to expression a hard time initiating the conversation, 15 percent will only do so after a traffic accident has occurred.

If you’re still driving, here are some things you can do to keep yourself safe on the road!

1. Get your eyes and ears examined yearly

To drive, you need good vision and hearing. Even if you think nothing has changed from the previous year, schedule appointments with the optometrist and the audiologist annually.

2. Manage your prescriptions

Taking your medications appropriately is important to maintaining and managing chronic health conditions. If you take them incorrectly, you can increase the risk of side effects that could impair your ability to drive. Also, if you’re on more than one medication, and more than one talks about dizziness as a complication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

3. Be active

Being fit and staying active are important to your overall health, however, when it comes to driving, it can help keep your motor-functions in tip top shape making it easier for you to react to situations and drive defensively.

4. Update your driving skills

True, you’ve been driving for many years, but there are many local organizations that offer driving skills assessments for seniors age 65 and older. You will most likely pass with flying colors, but it will give you an indication, hopefully before an accident occurs, that you might need driving assistance.

For more information on the study by AAA, visit https://newsroom.aaa.com/2018/08/older-drivers-talking-driving-safety/

When we first start working with families and seniors, the first thing we hear is “We can’t afford assisted living”, but when we start putting things into perspective, they realize just how much they can afford it.

Before we start touring with our clients, we look at doing an analysis to determine what you can afford. This is something you can easily do on your own. Here’s how!

Step 1: What are my housing costs? Gather together your housing costs for the month. Include expenses like your utility costs, what you spend on maintenance such as snow removal, landscaping and yard care, etc. Don’t forget about preventative maintenance costs such as your furnace inspections. Also take your property tax and divide that by 12 for a monthly average.

Step 2: What are your monthly utility costs? Every month you are paying utility bills for heat, electric, water, sewer and even in some cases garbage pick-up. Get those bills together and figure out how much you are spending every month.

Step 3: How much are you spending on groceries? Most of the time you don’t consider this an expense to factor in, but most assisted livings offer a meal plan. Some you can opt out as well, but it’s important to consider those costs when determining what’s all included in your monthly assisted living expenses.

Step 4: What are your income sources? The reason we suggest looking at each source is that you might be bringing in more income than you realized when you factor in such things as pensions, 401(k), investments, social security, long-term care insurance. If you are selling home, how much are you anticipating getting, how long will you need it to supplement your income?

Once you’ve got all of your numbers, add together steps 1-3. This will give you a total on what you’re currently spending on housing costs. Reviewing your income sources, taking into consideration other factors such as health and age, you’ll be able to use that information to determine what you can afford each month. If you’re still unsure, reach out to a Certified Senior Advisor for assistance. Some charge, others, like CarePatrol are a free service. Together we can find you an option that fits within your income while meeting your care needs.

Whenever you go to the doctor’s office, they ask about your advanced healthcare directives. Prior to any major medical decisions, you are asked about your advanced healthcare directives. When you are planning your estate, your lawyer asks you about your advanced healthcare directives, yet many people don’t have one. Most don’t plan because they feel they are too young or they don’t understand what an advanced healthcare directive is.

Here are five things you need to know about having one:

1. You are never too young The moment you become a legal adult you are in charge of making your healthcare decisions. Completing an advanced healthcare directive ensures that your wishes are carried out if you can’t make them.

2. Review your directives every year. Circumstances in your life change. You might get married, you might get divorced, you might change your mind on who you want as your Power of Attorney to carry out your advanced directives. You might change your mind on what procedures you want and don’t want. Take the time to review your advanced healthcare directives every year.

3. Know your state’s activation policies. In Wisconsin, a power of attorney is not allowed to make healthcare decisions or inquire about your healthcare with your physician until it is activated by a statement of incompetency that must be signed by two physicians. It can also be reversed when you are able to make your own healthcare decisions again. With every state being different, you want to consult with a local expert if you have questions.

4. You don’t need an attorney to complete one. An elder care attorney is well versed in everything you need to protect yourself and your assets, however, when it comes to completing your advanced healthcare directives, you do have additional and sometimes FREE options. You can contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Office, complete the forms the doctor’s office provides, or arranged to work with a Certified Senior Advisor. Here in Northeast Wisconsin, the Fox Valley Advance Care Planning Partnership can provide you with documents, guidance, and seminars on filling out the documents at any time. Their number is (920) 997-8412.

5. They don’t cover everything. When it comes to your advanced healthcare directives, that is all the paperwork covers. It doesn’t determine your financial power of attorney or manage your estate if anything

In my business, I hear it all the time. I’m not old enough for a nursing home; I’m not sick enough. That is a misperception that the Senior Living industry has been overcoming for years.

While it’s true, Senior Living isn’t right for everyone, before you opt-out of it, ask yourself these five questions to learn if senior living is right for you.

1. Do I still want to take care of my own home? Home is where you raised your children, lived with your family, there’s a sentimental attachment to it. But caring for a home can get overwhelming. It costs money and time, especially when you would much rather be enjoying life and the experiences it has to offer.

2. Am I old enough? There are so many levels of senior living available to you including Independent Senior Apartments, Assisted Living Apartments, Assisted Living Communities, and more. Many newer properties are like vacation resorts and are geared towards active professionals 55 years and older. They offer a host of amenities and provide an active lifestyle.

3. Do I spend too much time alone? Social isolation affects the body just as much as illnesses do. It causes depression and anxiety. If you are socially isolated because of location or you need more motivation to interact with peers, then moving to a senior living community might be right for you.

4. How much space do I need? Senior apartments range in size. Some start at 1500 square feet or more and others go as small as 700 square feet. Depending upon your budget and how much down-sizing you are comfortable with will all factor into your decision.

5. How long can I afford it? People are living longer. And while there are affordable options for everyone, you still want to be good financial stewards when it comes to your care. Understanding your finances and the amount you need to expend every month will help you determine when it would make economic sense to move.

Even if you aren’t ready to move into a Senior Living community at this present moment, working with a Certified Senior Advisor can help. They will be able to educate you on how to pay for your Senior Living and health care needs, as well as understand what your options are. By pre-planning, you will know when Senior Living is right for you!

There was a news story that came out of WPCO in Cincinnati, Ohio earlier in July 2018. Reporters were talking with Karen Humphreys, a family caregiver who has spent the last six months trying to get her father’s medical needs met. After a fall, he was going to need in-home supportive care services.

To fully understand her situation, watch the video below. https://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/i-team-navigating-senior-health-care-can-frustrate-families

If you are a family caregiver, I bet you’ve felt a similar frustration. There is so much information out there when it comes to senior healthcare that it can be overwhelming. Here are some quick facts that you need to know.

Medicare and insurance do NOT pay for supportive home care or assisted living.

While there is proposed legislation that Medicare might cover supportive home care in the future, that is not a given yet. Currently, Medicare and insurance will only cover care if the patient needs care or treatment that can only be done by a licensed nurse or medical professional. For example, treatments like wound care, tube feedings, and therapy.

Because of the confusion of what Medicare and insurance covers, many seniors aren’t prepared for the costs of long-term assisted living, and find their resources drained faster than they had planned.

There are organizations that can help you, FREE of charge.

We are blessed in Wisconsin. We have the Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) in every county. They can provide you with all the information you need to know about Medicare and Medicaid. They also can give you a list of resources that might be available to you.

In addition to ADRCs, there are Certified Senior Advisors (CSA). Not all of them charge. At CarePatrol, we are a FREE service to you and your family. My role as a CSA is to help you understand financially what your parent or older relative is responsible for, what Medicare and insurance covers, and I can also help you find the care you need. Whether it’s in-home care or an assisted living, together we will find a solution that fits within your budget and meets your loved one’s care needs.

As a family caregiver, there will be times when the stress of life becomes overwhelming. You are working a full-time job, taking care of your own children, and then you are also the caretaker of an aging parent or relative. You might even feel like you are being pulled in a thousand different directions, but you aren’t alone.

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, more than 34.2 million Americans provide or have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last year. The organization also states that most family caregivers provide more than 24.4 hours a week giving care and 1 in 4 spends 41 hours or more each week providing care.

If you are a family caregiver, there are a lot of great resources available to you. One of the most underutilized tools in your arsenal is respite care. Respite care is short-term care that is designed to provide you with time off to let you rest, take a vacation, and recharge your batteries.

To get started on finding and employing a respite care solution that’s right for you and your situation, we’ve answered a list of some of the most commonly asked questions:

1. How much does it cost?

Cost of respite care is going to vary, but there is a solution for everyone. Whether it’s finding a home care agency to come in and provide supportive care for a few hours or working with one of our assisted living partners who offer a discounted respite rate, CarePatrol can help find a respite program to fit in your budget.

2. Will insurance or Medicare cover respite care?

Not at this time, however, there is legislation that may be passed to make it a possibility, but unless you have long-term care insurance, and it’s in your policy; or you are on managed Medicaid, and the agency you work with is approving it, respite care is an out-of-pocket expense.

3. How do I know which respite care is right for me?

There is a lot of information about respite care, and it can be overwhelming, but that is where CarePatrol can help. I’ve worked with families like yours, in similar situations, helping them find a respite care provider that works for them.

4. Do I have to pay to workwith CarePatrol?

No. We are a FREE service. Our partners pay a fee, so you can focus on what’s most important, taking care of you and your family.

5. What if I feel guilty about using respite care?

It’s hard to tell you not to feel a certain way about any situation, but what I can tell you, from personal experience is that if you aren’t taking care of yourself, you won’t be any good to those you are taking care of. When I was taking care of my mom, I struggled just like you. The first time I used respite care, I was nervous, apprehensive, confident I was doing the wrong thing, that I was selfish. But, my mom had an enjoyable time with her respite caregiver, and I was refreshed and recharged. A total win-win.

Whether it’s for a few hours or afew days, take time away. By working with CarePatrol, I can help provide you with peace-of-mind, knowing that your loved one is taken care of.

Family Caregiving – Getting some help