About Brenda Gaines Expertise Home healthcare agency management consultant. Today, my firm`s priority target is providing assistance and support for agencies to profit under PPS. Accomplished speaker and author in the HH field. My site provides a comprehensive directory of more than 300 agency-relevant resources for HHA managers and providers.
Experience As an RN, entered the HH arena as an infusion specialist. Rose to vice president of a regional HH company. My complete resume is on my firm's site, under "About...", or you can find it directly by searching for "Brenda S. Gaines" on the www.google.com search engine. Author of the www.providerconsult.com site.
My father (82 years old) and mother (70 years old)presently live with my brother in Santa Clarita,CA. I live and work in TN. Fourteen years ago my mother had a brain tumor removed. This left her with very little movement of her right arm and she walks slow (drags her foot). My father assists her with a few activities (shower etc.).Currently they are doing fine. Recently I received yearly medical insurance package from my employer. A new insurance that is offered is Metlife Long Term Care. Of course like many other people I had never really planned for taking care of my parents. I know it can be VERY expensive. The cost for the plan at age 75 is $315 per month. I assume this is for someone in good health. Other than getting this insurance that would probably cost more than $800 a month (if they would even insure my mom). What other options do my brother and I have? We would like for our parents to stay at the (my brothers)house were they are happy and later, if need, to receive in home care.
Any information or suggestions on this topic would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Alan
Answer Alan,
I would recommend that you consider checking into a couple of options (besides LTC insurance) that you may or may not be aware of:
1. Geriatric care management - There are companies that specialize in assessment of the needs of the elderly proactively and can give you valuable information regarding resources, LTC insurance, funding available in your area and their view of what to expect related to your parents upcoming needs. For children who do not live near their parents this is often a very reassuring service and is not very costly for the return on investment.
2. In home assistance with personal care and other activities - Even though it sounds like your father is still able to assist your mother it would be helpful to "preshop" for the services and get an idea of who you might want to utilize, the range of services available and cost for budgeting purposes for you and your sibling(s). This service can be tailored to help your parents "age in place". Too often I see that children wait until something happens and they are desperate and do not shop wisely in this area. The range of costs as well as quality is pretty dramatic.
3. Lastly you might want to look into adult day care services in your area. As a consultant, I work with a company (they have nothing in CA currently) which provides these services. Great option for some but not a fit for all. For those seniors who have working children and/or grandchildren who are gone during the day these services provide safety and oversight and return the senior(s) home at night while providing socialization and activities to keep their minds sharp and a feeling of purpose to their days. These services range from purely "social models" to "medical models" and would be chosen based on needs and affordability. Funding in some states helps with the costs and interest is increasing as a way to avoid nursing home placement as long as possible.
You can get information on these services by going to any or all of these sites:
www.nfcacares.org; www.ncoa.org; www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aging sites. Hope this information helps. Good luck with your parents. Brenda Gaines
