US Dept of Health – news

Here is a really great news item from US Dept of Health on a recent Medicare ruling. The topic of discussion… [more]

Talking to your Parent about Long-Term Care

There comes a time when you may have concerns about your parent living alone. Worries include using the… [more]

Talking to your Parent about Long-Term Care

There comes a time when you may have concerns about your parent living alone. Worries include using the… [more]

Talking to your Parent about Long-Term Care

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There comes a time when you may have concerns about your parent living alone. Worries include using the stove, climbing stairs, healthy eating habits, exercise, social activity. It is always best to talk with your parent early on before their living situation becomes an issue. The following tips will help you to create a positive attitude in having that conversation.

1. Use “I” statements with your parent. “I am concerned about you” “I noticed that ………”

2. Make compromises with your parent so that they feel a part of the decision.

3. Ask your parent questions about their concerns. Knowing that you are interested in their fears will help your parent to feel more at ease. You can even ask leading questions that will help them to come to the same conclusion on their own. Your parent may have fears of abandonment even though they may be living closer to you, or fear of loss of independence. Being able to address these concerns and come up with solutions will help you both feel more at ease.

4. Sometimes a third party is helpful in having this discussion. Attending a  dr. appointment (or arrange one) with your parent and discuss the living situation with your parent and their doctor.

5. When you choose a facility you can also talk to them about helping with your parent’s fears. They will be very familiar with dealing this type of issue. It can be scary for your parent to make a move and often the staff will aid in your parent feeling more comfortable in the move. They make take her to lunch at the facility and show her around.

Positive Things to Tell Your Parent about Assisted Living Facilities

1. Let your parent know that it is time that they are able to live life to her fullest and that these years are for him/her to enjoy their life to the fullest. Your parent cared for you and your family for so long and this move will enable him/her to make great choices in day to day life that are enjoyable and less difficult.

2. A driver to take you where you want, when you want.

Are there times that your parent does not feel comfortable driving somewhere but there is a location they would really like to go to? The long term care facility would be able to take your parent there, which is actually an added independence.

3. Healthy food prepared for parent that will potentially change how they are feeling physically and mentally, is taken care of  allowing more time to visit with friends and do other activities. Its hard to cook for one person and get healthy meals. You could say “I know for me when I am on my own for dinner I am not really into cooking something for myself, I imagine you have that experience often”.

4. Activities and people to choose or not choose. Tell your parent they will meet new people and find friends that they will have things in common with such as a particular hobby. Your parent can chose what to do when they want to do it. (Activities at a long term care facility specializing in dementia/Alzheimer have a lot going on to keep their brain stimulated).

5. If the long term facility is close to your home, let  your parent know that it will be great having them in a location that is close to you. You will be able to spend more time together.

6. Additional Independence - Let your mom know that there is a variety of levels of care and she will be able to keep her independence and privacy.

Special Welcome Message from Lisa

US Dept of Health – news

Here is a really great news item from US Dept of Health on a recent Medicare ruling. The topic of discussion was…  And, here’s what happened…

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Source URL:  http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/06/20100603b.html

HHS Announces Availability of $60 Million in Affordable Care Act Grants to Help People Navigate their Health and Long-term Care Options

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the availability of $60 million in Affordable Care Act grants to states and communities to help individuals and their caregivers better understand and navigate their health and long-term care options.

Through this opportunity made possible by the Affordable Care Act HHS’ Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will work collaboratively to award funds for an integrated approach that focuses on the unique needs of seniors, disabled Americans and their caregivers as they seek health care and long-term care.

“The Affordable Care Act seeks to lower health care costs, improve the quality of health care and perhaps most importantly give people more control over their own care. These new grants, authorized under the new law, will help seniors, individuals with disabilities and their families get better quality care and more control. We’ve also streamlined the process for states and people who rely on these funds,” said Secretary Sebelius.

“We know how difficult it can be for caregivers and patients to try and deal with a sudden illness or chronic disease while at the same time trying to navigate through a complex health care system to figure out where you can get help. These new funds that we have bundled together will help promote better opportunities for coordination of health and long-term supports,” said Sebelius.

The purpose of this new grant program authorized by the Affordable Care Act is to create streamlined, coordinated statewide systems of information, counseling, and access that will help people find consumer-friendly answers they seek to meet their health and long-term care needs.  AoA and CMS will administer the funding through separate announcements, but will coordinate implementation and monitoring through a single process.

Some specific areas of focus will include assisting individuals who are under-served and hard to reach with information about their Medicare and Medicaid benefits, helping older adults and individuals with disabilities live at home or in settings of their choosing with the right supports, assisting people transition from hospital or nursing home stays back into the community, and strengthening linkages between the medical and social service systems.

“When it comes to long-term health care, each patient has a unique mix of complex medical and social needs that must be considered when seeking care,” said Marilyn Tavenner, acting CMS administrator. “Our health care system can offer many options to meeting those needs from traditional nursing home care to home and community-based services.  Making patients and their families aware of these options will help them make inherently difficult decisions about long-term care.  This integrated program will help families make informed choices and make sure patients have more control over their own care.”

AoA and CMS have provided grants to states for several years to develop person-centered systems of information, counseling and access to make it easier for individuals to learn about and access their health and long-term services and support options. This grant program through the Affordable Care Act strengthens and enhances the ability of states to truly integrate the medical and social services care models.

“AoA’s national network of community-based organizations has long served as the central place for individuals and families seeking information and help to address health and long term care challenges.  This collaborative opportunity between AoA and CMS will further strengthen the network’s capacity to help people in a more coordinated and comprehensive way in the communities where they live,” said Kathy Greenlee, assistant secretary for aging.

Funds will be available to states, area agencies on aging (aaa’s), State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) and Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs).  Through the grant program, states and local aging and disability programs will receive funds to:

• provide outreach and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries on their Medicare benefits including prevention;
• use additional funds through a competitive process to provide Options Counseling on health and long-term care through ADRCs;
• use additional funds through a competitive process to strengthen the ADRCs role in Money follows the Person program and support state Medicaid agencies as they transition individuals from nursing homes to community-based care; and
• coordinate and continue to embed tested Care Transition models that integrate the medical and social service systems to help older individuals and those with disabilities remain in their own homes and communities after a hospital, rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility visit.

“CMS and AoA share a long-standing goal of expanding access to community-based care for the elderly and individuals with disabilities.  The Affordable Care Act provides significant resources for state Medicaid agencies and providers to balance the nation’s long-term care systems and assure that individuals have a choice of where and how they receive their services,” said Cindy Mann, director of CMS’s Center for Medicaid, CHIP, and Survey and Certification.

The announcement combines funding opportunities from several provisions in the Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010,including the Role of Public Programs (Title II, Sections 2403 – Money Follows the Person and 2405 – Funding for Aging and Disability Resource Centers) and Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Health Care (Title III. Section 3306 – Funding for Outreach and Assistance for Low-Income Programs).

These grants also complement President Obama’s “Year of Community Living Initiative,” which focuses on better serving those individuals with disabilities who need ongoing services and support programs in the community such as those provided by AoA, CMS and other HHS agencies. 

The deadline for applications is: Friday, July 30, 2010.  Grants will be awarded in September 2010  For more information about this grant opportunity, please visit http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/index.aspx or www.grants.gov.

To learn more about the Affordable Care Act, please visit www.healthreform.gov

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