Assisted Living
Happy Holidays – How is Grandma?
While your family was together at Thanksgiving, was there evidence that older family members are not taking care of themselves as well as they could be or used to?
Perhaps your loved one is not driving as much as before, or perhaps should not be driving at all.… Read more...
What’s it Really Like Paying for Long-Term Care
As written by Michelle Singletary and published in the Washington Post on November 26, 2018
One of my favorite Spock quotes from the Star Trek television series is, “Live long and prosper.” Who doesn’t want a long life, right?
But what if the longevity means spending down your money for long-term care?… Read more...
Who is Going to Pay for Your Funeral?
Asking who is going to pay for your funeral might seem like a silly question–you probably have money in savings, a vehicle, a house, even life insurance. There should be plenty of money to pay this bill, right?
The problem is, you are gone, so now who has access to your assets?
… Read more...Observations from a Recent Hospital Stay
Recently, I was an inpatient in a hospital after having surgery. While there, I visited with a number of nurses and CNAs (certified nursing assistants) while they were caring for me. Nearly every one of the CNAs had started their careers in a long-term care (LTC) facility.… Read more...
Wisconsin’s Long-Term Care Workforce At Crisis Level
by Brady Carlson, Wisconsin Public Radio
“A coalition of Wisconsin health care organizations is warning that the state’s shortage of long-term care providers continues to grow. The study, put together by several groups across the state, says 1 in 5 direct caregiver positions in the state is going unfilled.… Read more...
Immigration Problem, or Caregiver Problem?
From the Washington Post
BOSTON — After back-to-back, eight-hour shifts at a chiropractor’s office and a rehab center, Nirva arrived outside an elderly woman’s house just in time to help her up the front steps. Nirva took the woman’s arm as she hoisted herself up, one step at a time, taking breaks to ease the pain in her hip.… Read more...
Two more Wisconsin nursing homes closing, both citing Medicaid reimbursement problems
From McKnight’s Long-Term Care News
You’ve heard me say it before, if your plan is Medicaid to pay for your long term care (LTC), chance are good you will find no room at the inn with no alternatives except moving in with your children whether they can provide the care needed or not!… Read more...
Will You be Among the Many Not Welcome at Assisted Living Facilities?
So why would you or your loved ones be Not Welcome at Assisted Living Facilities? It’s not personal about you or your looks, it’s your ability to pay for the care they provide. Most Americans cannot afford to pay $5000 a month for hands on care or $8000 a month for dementia care (dementia care is half of all Long-Term Care).… Read more...
Wisconsin Faces Critical Shortage of Care Workers for Disabled & Elderly
MADISON – Jessica Nell relies on a stranger to help her get in and out of bed every day. If no one shows up to help her, the 29-year-old Green Bay resident is left immobile — potentially for hours. Nell, who has cerebral palsy and uses a motorized wheelchair, is one of thousands of Wisconsin residents who need personal care and home care workers to perform daily tasks they can’t do on their own. … Read more...
Annie’s Mailbox on Families Caring for Parents
Caregiver deserves a break (Annie’s Mailbox)
Dear Annie: I am 63, and I help daily with my 94-year-old mother, who lives by herself. I run errands, and I keep her yard nice. I have a brother and sister who live out of state. … Read more...