Questions About Elder Care

1. How can I find any local elder care communities that have a social workers on staff?

   Question - I've been thinking about your question, and reviewing my resources, and keep getting back to the same place: I'm not sure there's an easy way to get this information besides old-fashioned leg work. Most larger senior communities serving residents with varied health needs have pretty good support staff, including social workers...
   1 Expert Answer

2. How should siblings share the burden of providing elder care for our parents?

   Question - If you don't include your siblings, it will come as quite a shock when you finally do so - because it will be in crisis situation. Aside from that, it may help the sibling to know that the elder is being noticed. Perhaps you can word conversations as "I'm just letting you know; it's nothing you have to solve for us...
   2 Community Answers

3. Should I co-sign a HELOC loan for my mother's debts?

   Question - I'm an only child and my mother is on a fixed income and trying to hold on to her house (until the market get better and I can sell it), she has credit card debit and needs help from me to pay her bills, which is draining my finances and mental well being. She has no one else.

4. We're going to run out of money caring for my sister. What should we do to prepare?

   Question - Fortunately, there's a special rule that will help you keep your house if and when your sister needs long-term care coverage from Medicaid. A basic Medicaid rule is that if Medicaid pays for someone's long-term care (in a nursing home or at home), Medicaid will recover the total amount it has paid for the person's care when that person dies...
   1 Expert Answer

5. If we co-own a home but a loan is in my mom's name, are we still liable for the loan?

   Question - I am not an authority on credit ratings, so I can't give you a definite answer on your question about liability for loans on co-owned property.
   1 Expert Answer

6. My grandma just moved out of her farm and we are trying to...

   Question - My grandma just moved out of her farm and we are trying to buy it. She is willing to hold the mortgage for us but our worry is that when she someday passes away will the mortgage have to be paid out in full to whoever is entitled to her estate or is there a way to make a legal agreement so that part...

7. I am liable if my mom is sued for a car accident if I'm on her checking account?

   Question - In general, you are NOT legally liable (responsible) for damages from an accident caused by your mother. The fact that you share a checking account with her does not change that basic rule, except that whatever money is in the account may be subject to a claim by another driver...
   1 Expert Answer

8. FAQ: What's the Difference Between an Elder Companion and a Personal Aide?

   Question - Although people often use the terms interchangeably, there's a difference between an elder companion and a personal aide in terms of both responsibilities and training.
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

9. FAQ: How Can I Find a Companion to Be With My Loved One While I'm at Work?

   Question - If you're employed, start with the company you work for. Many companies are starting to provide services to help employees with work/life balance, including providing information and referrals for geriatric care managers. This is a new trend because studies have come out finding that people on the job...
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 5 Community Answers

10. FAQ: What's the Best Way to Find out What Happened During an Aide's Shift?

    Question - The best way to find out what happened during an aide's shift is to look at his or her notes, since it's rare for a family caregiver to overlap with an aide's shift and have the opportunity to speak in person each day.
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer

11. Is it beneficial for an Alzheimer's patient in a long-term care facility to have overnight outings with family?

    Question - There is no written literature (that I am aware of) specifically supporting either point of view although many Alzheimer books refer to this dilemma and authors support professional caregivers who suggest there should be no overnight outings or at least they be kept to an absolute minimum...
    1 Expert Answer

12. How to handle pressure to take my mother in law shopping, even though I hate shopping and have other responsibilites?

    Question - My mother in law loves to shop and has basically lost the concept of responsibility. There is lots of pressure on me to take her to do this but I hate shopping. I usually dont have the money and just dont like browsing. I go for what I need when I need it...

13. My oldest siblings are in charge of mom's finances and haven't paid her electric bill. How can I help her get the lights turned back on?

    Question - I'm a caregiver for my 84yr.old mother whose husband passed away 2007. She's a ten year Cancer survivor,and lives in her own home. I'm the youngest of four siblings who all own their own home and businesses. My oldest siblings are in charge of my Mom's finances, but she has been without electricity...

14. Where can I receive information on starting an eldercare program in my home?

    Question - Where can I receive information on starting an elderly care program? I would like to convert a home for say 4-6 seniors in Central Florida

15. Should I purchase long-term care insurance for my mother?

    Question - Medicare and CHAMPVA are wonderful programs that assist with health care costs, but neither are designed to provide meaningful benefits for long-term care services.
    1 Expert Answer

16. What short-term in-house elder care options when caregivers need to go out of town?

    Question - Good respite care is one of the biggest needs for those who are caring for loved ones. Fortunately, there are a number of options. If you want to keep your parent at home while you're traveling, here are some ways to set up the care with the best chance for success: Well in advance of your planned trips...
    1 Expert Answer

17. My mother is refusing medical treatment during stokes. What do I do?

    Question - My mother if 54 and do to her faith is refusing to see a Dr.we feel as well as she does that she is having strokes.slurred speech major weakness distorted thought prices and falls even temporary paralisous sharp pains in her brain and blackening of her toe nails and pain in her legs...

18. How can I get a list of elder care providers in Miami, FL?

    Question - Caring.com hopes to have this kind of information soon. Meanwhile, a great source for finding care is the US Government's Eldercare Locator. The locator will connect you with the Local Area Agency on Aging serving a specific address in Miami (you enter a zip code) and someone there can refer you to local home caregivers...
    1 Expert Answer

19. Where can I find resources for transportation services in the Bay Area?

    Question - I'm going to assume you're looking for senior transportation services or paratransit. You can contact your local public transportation company or senior center and ask for referrals. But there are two handy on-line tools that may help you, as well...
    1 Expert Answer

20. I am looking for an assisted living home for my mother in...

    Question - You can begin with a call or a visit to your mother’s local Chamber of Commerce or Area Agency on Aging, or you call your local Long Term Care Ombudsman, whom you can find via the locator on the National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center website. They Ombudsman should have a list of all the l local communities...
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

21. Are there any specific exercises out there that are geared towards seniors that will help them to gain better balance?

    Question - You ask a good question, and one that comes up fairly often as seniors, and their caregivers, are eager to reduce the risk of falling. The answer is a resounding "yes," there are many exercises that improve balance. There are also exercise classes and programs designed just for this, from tai chi to aqua aerobics...
    1 Expert Answer

22. Is there a resource to find a nurse who will travel to rural areas?

    Question - Finding visiting nurses in rural areas is tough wherever you live, so I understand your challenge. You didn't mention what town the patient lives in, or near, but I suggest starting by asking at the nearest hospital or medical clinic. Explain your situation and see if they have services that can help...
    1 Expert Answer

23. Does Medicare cover wheelchairs and transport chairs?

    Question - Medicare Part B covers what is called durable medical equipment, which includes wheelchairs and walkers, if prescribed by a doctor. For wheelchairs, Medicare pays to rent the chair for up to 13 months. By that time, you will own the wheelchair outright, but Medicare will continue to pay for the chair's maintenance and repair...
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

24. How can we protect our elderly mother from being taken advantage of?

    Question - There is, of course, a chance that true love has bloomed between your mother and this fellow, in which case you may want to rethink your concerns. But it sounds as if you and others are pretty well convinced that it's money rather than love that's the prime motivation. And it sounds as if talking honestly with your mother has not changed her mood or mind...
    1 Expert Answer

25. Can a person get paid for caring for their parents in their parents' home?

    Question - You might be able to get some pay directly from the state for taking care of your parents if they have few assets (other than their home) and little income. If they require home care, and have low income and assets, they might be entitled to receive it through Medicaid...
    1 Expert Answer

26. If I move my mother in with me will it affect her Medicare/Medicaid status?

    Question - That is actually two different questions. One is about Medicare. A different question is about Medicaid.
    1 Expert Answer

27. Can Medicaid take your house, even a jointly-owned home, to pay for long-term care?

    Question - Your father's interest in the house won't count against him should he need to enter a nursing home, because a person's primary residence is exempt when Medicaid counts a person's assets in determining eligibility. Upon his death, however, if the house remains partly in his name, Medicaid may...
    1 Expert Answer, 4 Community Answers

28. How do I become a paid caregiver for my own family?

    Question - Whether you can get paid to be her caregiver depends on what program, either Medicaid or other state program, is available in the state where you live. Cash and Counseling or similar programs in many states can provide regular payment to family caregivers even if the person being cared for would not otherwise qualify for Medicaid...
    1 Expert Answer, 8 Community Answers