Finding Help – A Partner in Navigating Senior Health

By CarePatrol of Fox Cities

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.