Caring for Your Aging Parents Season 01 Episode 10 What is Medicare and Who Can Utilize Medicare benefits? Have you ever felt lost in the labyrinth of Medicare, grasping for clarity amidst the parts, costs, and enrollment periods? Well, you're not alone - so join us as we decode this complex health insurance maze designed for Americans aged 65 and older. We address common misconceptions, take a look at the costs you need to consider, and breakdown Medicare from parts A to D. We also shine a light on the often overlooked fact that you've been contributing to this program throughout your working life - it's your right, not a handout. Yet, you must be aware of the gaps in Medicare as it doesn't cover everything, like hearing aids and long-term care. What is Medicare? Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States that provides coverage to individuals aged 65 and older and certain younger individuals with disabilities or specific medical conditions. Medicare is designed to help individuals access essential medical services and reduce the financial burden of healthcare costs. The program consists of different parts that cover various aspects of healthcare services. Medicare was established in 1965 under the Social Security Act and is administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services division. Registering for Medicare Online Now, as if understanding Medicare wasn't daunting enough, we also dive into the intricate task of caring for aging parents. In this digitally connected age, support isn't just at our fingertips, it's also online. We guide you through the wealth of online resources available, helping you find the right assistance in your area, and show you how to access Medicare and other health insurance programs. Don't worry, we understand you might need some guidance on how to rate and review our podcast. So, we share some nifty tips so you can help others benefit from the knowledge we've shared together. As your trusted companions in this journey, we're here to simplify the complexities of eldercare. Together, we can navigate this maze. Podcast Resources  Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube Visit us to find out more about Senior Care in Oregon Find out more about Caring for Your Aging Parents

Caring for Your Aging Parents Season 01 Episode 09 How to Pay for Long Term Care for the Elderly and Senior Population Do you feel your parents aren’t getting along as well as they used to? Are they staying at home more and not going out? Has your loved one had a recent fall? These are all signs that your parents may need long-term care. Listen to today's episode to find the options available to pay for long-term care. Planning for Long-Term Care Because people are living longer, planning for long-term care needs well in advance is essential, as costs can be substantial and unexpected. Consulting with financial advisors, elder law attorneys, and healthcare professionals can help individuals and families navigate the complexities of long-term care financing and make informed decisions based on their unique circumstances. If you need help finding a financial advisor, eldercare lawyer, or attorney, please reach out to me at lynn@seniorcareauthority.com Who provides long-term care? Long-term care services are often provided by trained professionals, including nurses, nursing assistants, therapists, social workers, and other healthcare providers. Long-term care needs can arise due to age-related factors, chronic illnesses, disabilities, or injuries. Planning for long-term care is an important consideration for individuals and families as they age and encounter changing health needs. Understanding the available options, costs, and resources is important to make informed decisions about long-term care arrangements. What is the cost of long-term care? Depending on the level of care needed and the length required, you can spend several hundred to several thousand dollars a month for care. Care cost also depends on the geographic area in which care is given. Make sure to follow my podcast and tune into the next episode, where I talk about how to pay for in-home care. Options for paying for Long Term Care There are several options to pay for long-term care, including using a reverse mortgage. While a good option for many homeowners, you’ll want to know the rules and regulations for paying back your reverse mortgage, especially if two seniors are on the reverse mortgage loan. You can find out more by visiting the US Department of Housing and Urban Development website to find a HUD government-approved counselor. Podcast Resources  Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents Season 01 Episode 08 What is Long Term Care? Have you noticed a decline in your parents' physical, mental, or spiritual health lately? Do you feel they aren't getting along as well as they used to? Are they staying at home more and not going out? Has your loved one had a recent fall? These are all signs that your parents may need long-term care. Listen to today's episode to discover what long-term care means and when you want to consider accessing long-term care for your parents or loved ones.  What is long-term Care? Long-term care (LTC) refers to a range of services and support designed to meet the needs of individuals who have functional or cognitive limitations and require assistance with activities of daily living over an extended period. These services are typically provided to individuals who cannot fully care for themselves due to age, illness, disability, or other factors. Long-term care can encompass a variety of settings, including home care, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and specialized care facilities. Activities of daily living (ADLs) that individuals might need assistance with include tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, transferring (e.g., getting in and out of bed or a chair), and maintaining continence. Additionally, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as meal preparation, housekeeping, managing medications, and transportation might also be included in long-term care services. Who provides long-term care? Long-term care services are often provided by trained professionals, including nurses, nursing assistants, therapists, social workers, and other healthcare providers. Long-term care needs can arise due to age-related factors, chronic illnesses, disabilities, or injuries. Planning for long-term care is an important consideration for individuals and families as they age and encounter changing health needs. Understanding the available options, costs, and resources is important to make informed decisions about long-term care arrangements. What is the cost of long-term care? Depending on the level of care needed and the length of care required, you can spend several hundred to several thousand dollars a month for care. Care cost also depends on the geographic area in which care is given. Make sure to follow my podcast and tune into the next episode, where I talk about how to pay for in-home care. Podcast Resources  Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents Season 01 Episode 07 Loneliness and Self-isolation in the Elderly Population When was the last time you checked on your parents? Loneliness and isolation can not only degrade mental health in older adults, but can also lead to a sharp decline in physical health, especially in older Americans. Listen to today's episode, where I talk about statistics on the number of older adults who experience loneliness and what you can do for your parents to encourage them to be more social as they age. Addressing Loneliness in the Aging Process Addressing loneliness among older Americans requires a multi-faceted approach, including promoting social engagement, providing resources for technology literacy, creating age-friendly communities, offering mental health support, and encouraging intergenerational interactions. Recognizing and tackling the various factors contributing to loneliness can help improve the overall well-being of older individuals. Factors that Can Lead to Loneliness Social Isolation can be a factor in retirement or with the loss of a spouse or close friends. Physical limitations that restrict the ability to engage in social activities lead to reduced opportunities for interaction can lead to feelings of loneliness. Older individuals may face challenges in terms of transportation, making it difficult to access social activities and events. This physical barrier can further isolate them from social interactions. Changing Social Networks such as friends and family members might move away or pass away, reducing the frequency of social interactions. Additionally, older adults may face challenges in making new friends due to a smaller pool of potential connections. Retirement often leads to a shift in daily routines and a potential loss of purpose that work provides. Without meaningful activities and engagements, older adults might feel disconnected and isolated. Changes in societal norms and family structures might mean that older adults have fewer opportunities to interact with younger generations, leading to a sense of disconnection. Technology can be a connection for some, but older adults may not be as comfortable using digital tools and platforms. This can lead to a sense of exclusion from online social interactions, exacerbating feelings of loneliness. Health challenges can limit the ability to engage in social activities. Chronic pain, mobility issues, and other health conditions can make it difficult for them to participate in community events, meetups, or even simple outings.  Loss of loved ones becomes more common as people age. The death of a spouse, friends, or family members can leave older adults with a profound sense of grief and loss, leading to increased feelings of loneliness. There can be a stigma associated with admitting to feeling lonely, particularly in older generations. This can prevent individuals from seeking help or reaching out for support. Loneliness can also contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.   Podcast Resources  Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents Season 01 Episode 06 Navigating the Path of In-Home Nursing and Senior Care with Helen Anderson of HelloCare How do we ensure our aging loved ones are receiving the best care possible? From choosing the right caregivers to navigating the complex world of in-home nursing, we grapple with these pivotal decisions in our latest conversation with Helen Anderson, owner of HelloCare.  How to Hire an In-Home Care Agency Helen equips us with the necessary knowledge to tackle this often-overwhelming task. She enlightens us on the advantages of hiring an agency, such as the crucial oversight provided by an RN on staff. The necessity of asking agencies about their hospital care capabilities is also emphasized, as it can play an integral role in offering your parents optimal care. We dive deep into the intricate layers of senior care, focusing on the different levels of care and licensing available for in-home aid, particularly for parents with diabetes or dementia. Helen shares her insights on planning both short-term and long-term care needs, the potential risks of administering insulin, and the role of nutrition in blood sugar management.  Dementia Care Management Our discussion also sheds light on dementia care, stressing the importance of understanding an individual's needs and triggers for a peaceful environment. We share strategies on how to introduce caregivers in non-disruptive ways and manage anxiety triggers to ensure a comfortable experience for your loved ones. (0:00:03) - In-Home Nursing and Senior Care (0:08:42) - Senior Licensing and Care Levels (0:18:44) - Dementia Care and Home Care Podcast Resources  Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents Season 01 Episode 05 Four Attitudes that Affect the Aging Experience Did you know that mindset plays a significant role in the quality of our aging experience? Mindset is an essential piece of the puzzle if you want to age well and have a quality experience later in life. Listen to today's episode, where I talk about the four attitudes that affect the aging experience, including age denial, age adaptation, age irrelevance, and age affirmation. Attitude is One of the Many Factors that Influence the Aging Process Attitude is just one of many factors that can influence the aging process. While maintaining a positive attitude is beneficial, it's not a guarantee of immunity from the challenges that come with aging - genetics, lifestyle factors, and overall health also play significant roles in how well we age. Psychosocial Aging The notion that attitude affects how you age is united with the concept of psychosocial aging. Research suggests that psychological factors, including attitude and mindset, can significantly impact and influence how people experience and perceive aging.  A positive attitude can help individuals cope with stress more effectively. Chronic stress has been linked to various health issues, including cardiovascular problems, weakened immune function, and cognitive decline. By maintaining a positive outlook and adopting effective coping strategies, individuals may reduce the detrimental effects of stress on their overall health and well-being. Resilience refers to an individual's ability to bounce back from adversity and adapt to life's challenges and is highly correlated with better psychological and physical health outcomes. A positive attitude and optimistic outlook can contribute to resilience, allowing individuals to successfully navigate the aging process. Your attitude can greatly influence health behaviors like exercise, diet, and self-care. A positive attitude towards aging may motivate individuals to engage in healthy habits, leading to better physical and mental well-being. Conversely, a negative attitude or belief that aging is a decline or loss may discourage individuals from adopting beneficial health behaviors. A positive mindset can foster higher-quality social connections and maintain a strong social support network. Social isolation and loneliness have been linked to various negative health outcomes, including increased mortality rates and cognitive decline. By maintaining positive relationships and engaging in social activities, individuals can mitigate the effects of social isolation and age more positively. While cognitive function can decline in older adults, research has found that older adults with positive attitudes toward aging tend to perform better on cognitive tests, have a reduced risk of developing dementia, and experience a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to those with negative attitudes. Podcast Resources  Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging ParentsSeason 01 Episode 04Caring for My Terminally Ill Father Welcome to Caring For Your Aging Parents, where I assist the elderly and their caretakers by providing education on how to take care of your aging parents. There will be new episodes every week where you’ll receive valuable information on how to make confident, informed decisions on elderly care. How I Cared for My Terminally Ill Father Both my parents had cancer in the same timespan - and they both passed away within a year of each other. I understand how hard it is to take care of your parents, especially when you’re managing doctors, their place of residence, medical bills, and finding the right type of care when they have to leave the hospital. It’s hard to juggle family life when you have your parents to take care of, and this episode will give you a bit of an insight into the challenges I faced taking care of my terminally ill parents over a decade ago. When we found out my dad had cancer, he was diagnosed with Stage IV adenocarcinoma. Today, I believe he had Celiac disease that was undiagnosed as this type of cancer is one of the cancers you can get when you don’t eat a gluten free diet. Because we have auto-immune in our family, it’s very probable that he was Celiac and wasn't aware of it. Had he known, he would have changed his diet and would not have had cancer. Because your small intestine absorbs your nutrients, you can be eating many calories a day, but never absorb any nutrition. In turn, you’re eating and losing a significant amount of weight because you’re not absorbing your food. When my dad was diagnosed, they gave him six months to live. Although he lived for three years, he wasted away slowly as his body wasn’t able to sustain basic functioning and his digestive tract was riddled with disease. In this episode, I talk about the overall journey taking care of my father, what we went through, and the challenges I faced when caring for my terminally ill father, including finding a care facility with certified nursing on staff after one of the times he was released from the hospital.  Podcast Resources Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTubeVisit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging ParentsGive me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812 

Caring for Your Aging Parents Season 01 Episode 03 Caring for My Terminally Ill Mother Welcome to Caring For Your Aging Parents, where I assist the elderly and their caretakers by providing education on how to take care of your aging parents. There will be new episodes every week where you’ll receive valuable information on how to make confident, informed decisions on elderly care. How I Cared for My Terminally Ill Mother Both my parents had cancer in the same timespan - and they both passed away within a year of each other. I understand how hard it is to take care of your parents, especially when you’re managing doctors, their place of residence, medical bills, and finding the right type of care when they have to leave the hospital. It’s hard to juggle family life when you have your parents to take care of, and this episode will give you a bit of an insight into the challenges I faced taking care of my terminally ill parents over a decade ago. My mom was especially hard to take care of because she didn’t have an invested interest in taking care of herself. She had a poor diet and lifestyle, which led to her having and not surviving stage 1 breast cancer, even with an early diagnosis. If she had a healthier lifestyle, she would have been able to survive her cancer.  In addition to her poor lifestyle habits, she also implicitly trusted her doctor, even when she showed signs of her cancer returning and her oncologist ignored them. She refused to get a second opinion, and that mistake cost her her life.  When you have parents that are stubborn or won’t listen to reason, and they are cognizant and able to make decisions, you have to let go emotionally to protect yourself. This is a healthy boundary to have and is essential to know which battles to choose with your parents when you care for them as they age. Podcast Resources  Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents Season 01 Episode 02 Caring for My Terminally Ill Parents Welcome to Caring For Your Aging Parents, where I assist the elderly and their caretakers by providing education on how to take care of your aging parents. There will be new episodes every week where you’ll receive valuable information on how to make confident, informed decisions on elderly care. How I Cared for My Terminally Ill Parents Both my parents had cancer in the same timespan - and they both passed away within a year of each other. I understand how hard it is to take care of your parents, especially when you’re managing doctors, their place of residence, medical bills, and finding the right type of care when they have to leave the hospital. It’s hard to juggle family life when you have your parents to take care of, and this episode will give you a bit of an insight into the challenges I faced taking care of my terminally ill parents over a decade ago. How you provide care for your parents depends on many things, such as their own preferences, disabilities, and of course affordability and access. The best choice for your parents may not be the same choice your neighbor or cousin makes, but by preparing well and educating yourself, you can provide care with confidence.  Learning to Be a Caregiver Transitioning into a caregiving role can be confusing and scary no matter what your situation is. I understand the journey personally, and next week I’ll be sharing my story of how I took care of my parents while also balancing my family and education. I hope to give you the strength, ability, and information necessary so that you can make the best choice for your own situation.  Podcast Resources  Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812

Caring for Your Aging Parents Season 01 Episode 01 Trailer Talking about Caring for Your Aging Parents Welcome to Caring For Your Aging Parents, where I, a certified senior care advisor, assist elderly and their caretakers by providing education on how to take care of your aging parents. There will be new episodes every week where you’ll receive valuable information on how to make confident, informed decisions for your parents or whomever you’re caring for.  We all spend so much of our lives depending on our parents; now, many of you may be adjusting to or preparing for a time where they depend on you, instead. It’s important to know what options you have for your parents and their unique situation, and this is the place to get it.  What To Expect from this Podcast In this podcast, I’ll go over the many components that go into caring for your aging parents, such as: private pay, Medicare and Medicaid, the different types of living facilities, and much more. In the subjects where I’m not an expert, I’ll be bringing in elder care-specific experts who can share their best practices and advice so that you have every tool at your disposal.  How you provide care for your parents depends on many things, such as their own preferences, disabilities, and of course affordability and access. The best choice for your parents may not be the same choice your neighbor or cousin makes, but by preparing well and educating yourself, you can provide care with confidence.  Learning to Be a Caregiver Transitioning into a caregiving role can be confusing and scary no matter what your situation is. I understand the journey personally, and next week I’ll be sharing my story of how I took care of my parents while also balancing my family and education. I hope to give you the strength, ability, and information necessary so that you can make the best choice for your own situation.    Podcast Resources  Caring For Your Aging Parents on YouTube Visit us to find out more on Caring for Your Aging Parents Give me a call to locate a senior placement specialist in your area 503.830.1812