Home Care Planning for the Golden Years
When You Need Help During the Senior Years
You are striving to reach the pinnacle of your career. Or maybe you have finally established where you want to be in your life. Then you receive a phone call. It seems your Mom has fallen in her home, and Dad was unable to assist her; or worse, she lives alone. Fortunately, she did not break any bones. Or maybe Dad just got out of the emergency room from a suspected heart attack, which turned out to be indigestion. Now you begin to question what would happen if these were real “issues”.
Retirement has been more than you could have hoped for. You’ve been able to attend to those hobbies you so enjoy. In fact, you’ve been able to turn one of the hobbies into a money making endeavor – its fun, not tedious. Or maybe you’ve been able to do that traveling, or reading those books that have drawn your attention. Ahhhhh! Life is good. Yet, you find that you don’t get around as well as you used to. Your brain functions, telling your body to do something, but your body seems to be in slow gear. And why all of a sudden does everyone seem to be driving like maniacs? Your skills are just a sharp as they were 20 years ago ….. or are they? And what of those stairs? They seem to be growing in number.
As a society, we push so much to plan for retirement. That entails planning financially so we don’t have to go to the office, or work for someone else, and planning to do what we want. But we fail to plan for that day when we can’t do as well for ourselves as we would like. There will come a time when we will need assistance. Maybe we have an outpatient procedure, but need someone to care for us a little while.
Who will that someone be?
Today's families commonly find themselves separated from extended family and friends. Adult children have moved away due to differing circumstances. Parents have retired, and in the process established new homes at resort communities, have downsized to a less expensive state or have moved to a warmer climate. However, there will come a time when those parents or grandparents or a loved one will require some form of daily living assistance in their home, or their family's home.
The need for home care answers was thrust upon me some years ago. My father needed my help to provide him with information and answers. If I had known of the differing care options available to me, I would have saved hundreds of hours of searching, more understanding of the financial aspects, and no concerns as to what I should do. If I had only a single source that could answer all my questions so I could plan.
Home care should not be the “boogey man” that so many fear it to be. It is not. In home care does not mean you are the “old man or woman down the street”. For the families, it does not mean that you have to give up everything for the care of a loved one. Home care can be a pleasant experience – if you plan for it.
That’s the key – we need to plan - preferably when planning for retirement, if not more so. Home care will be there after “retirement” is over – one day retirement will include assistance for you in the home. As we mature as a society, and health sciences advance, we can expect to live longer. With that longevity comes the likely possibility that we will need some type of home care during our life. By planning, the in home and elder care questions will have answers: What exactly is “in home care”? What is elder care? What is provided with home care? How much does it cost / can I afford it? What financial assistance is available? What if nursing or professional assistance is required? What if medical equipment is required? What legal issues need answering?
In less than 20 years, over 65 million people will be part of the senior population that will require some sort of health care assistance. Whether a part of that 65 million or a family member supporting them, the striving goal is to ensure that those who can stay in their homes do. Continuing to live in one's own home is the best health care there is.
Early understanding of health care solutions allows for an easy transition. You and your family members are able to agree upon a solution, monetary and legal details are understood, and the transition is smoother. However, if a solution is required immediately, there are resources available that can assist in providing the guidance and answers for the best elderly and in home care.
There are many health care solutions available to you and your loved one. Learn all you can now, plan now, and be able to answer the question “Why should I prepare?” Once you have, enjoy those golden years with peace of mind.
About the Author
An instructor, program manager, developer of technical health care solutions, a Crown Ministries budget counselor and family man, Mr. Shinn understands the challenges today’s families are encountering with family care giving. After experiencing five years taking care of his own father, he concluded that more information should be provided to assist those with their own in home care endeavors. Not able to locate a “central” place that provided or guided others to in home care information and products, he created Home Health Care Solutions.
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