When Assistance with Long Term Care Becomes Necessary

According to the Administration on Aging, it is estimated by 2030, the older population will more than double to approximately 71.5 million. It is also estimated that between 39 to 49 percent of people will use nursing home services during their lifetime. Unfortunately, there may come a time when your loved one may require assistance with long term care. The following is a list of warning signs one should be aware of when evaluating your loved one's situation. If the senior exhibits two or more of these signs, assistance is likely required:

? When your loved one or their spouse can no longer provide care due to debilitating health conditions

? When your loved one experiences difficulty with walking, or is unsteady when standing

? When your loved one's safety is compromised due to hazards in the home such as stairs, poor lighting, cluttered walkways, and dangers in the kitchen or bathroom

? When your loved one needs assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation

? When your loved one becomes confused about taking their medications

? When your loved one is afraid of falling or being alone

? When your loved one exhibits changes in personality or has sudden mood swings

? When your loved one is no longer able to manage their finances and requires assistance with administering their monthly household expenses

If you feel assistance with long term care may be necessary, have a discussion with your loved one and talk to them about their concerns and desires. It's important to help your loved one maintain their independence for as long as possible. Your loved one should be involved in the decision making process as long as their decisions do not negatively impact their health and safety. Talk with other family members and get their input as well. If necessary, discuss your concerns with your loved one's physician, attorney or financial advisor, and make sure all aspects of their long term care needs have been met. It's never too early to be concerned about your loved one's long term care needs. Being aware of their needs and continually reevaluating their situation will help ensure the long term needs of your loved one will be met.

________________________________________________________________________

You have permission to use this article as long as the author's full bio is present as well as any hyperlinks to author's website.

Torey L. Farnsworth, CSA has over 12 years of experience working with seniors. Ms. Farnsworth's vast expertise encompasses a wide variety of senior issues ranging from adult care to elder law. Most recently, Torey served as Elder Law Director and Paralegal for a Phoenix based law firm where she provided assistance in a variety of areas including long term care planning, estate planning, ALTCS eligibility and Medicaid planning. Ms. Farnsworth is also a certified caregiver with the State of Arizona as well as a Certified Senior Advisor. Ms. Farnsworth has spent her career in senior care as her family owns and operates assisted living homes.

Ms. Farnsworth currently owns her own senior care placement business called Horizon Senior Care Referral. Her placement services are free to seniors and their families in Arizona. For more information, visit http://www.adultcarecentral.com

In The News:


Elder-care crisis must be solved
Lower Hudson Journal news, NY - 33 minutes ago
How many more tragedies have to happen before we act to correct the problem of elder care? Most of us in our later years cannot afford the exorbitant cost ...

Elder Care Revolution Launches in Southwest Ohio
MarketWatch - Jul 18, 2008
Otterbein has a 95-year history in being a leader in elder care services. "Our goal is to be a catalyst for change throughout the country in the field of ...

PROVINCE LOOKING TO ATTRACT STUDENTS TO ELDER CARE
C-FAX 1070, Canada - Jul 18, 2008
THE PROVINCE IS FEELING THE CRUNCH OF THE LACK OF RESIDENTIAL CARE AIDS AND HOME SUPPORT WORKERS IN BC. THE PROVINCE HAS LAUNCHED A 160-THOUSAND DOLLAR ...

Letter that proves the sorry state of NHS care for elderly
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - 12 hours ago
The allegations of neglect come against a background of growing concern about the treatment of the sick and elderly in care homes and hospitals. ...

Solutions for elder-care issues are within reach
Lower Hudson Journal news, NY - Jul 17, 2008
Approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of recipients of long-term care are individuals with pre-existing physical disabilities. At a time when the "elderly ...

Ontario Now

Ontario ombud to probe nursing homes
CTV.ca, Canada - Jul 16, 2008
The people who gave their all to take care of their families. This "nanny state" is shameful,greedy,and to self absorbed. Subsidized elder care homes should ...
Caring for our seniors Burlington Post
all 128 news articles

Wall Street Journal Blogs

A New Worry: Finding and Monitoring Your Elderly Parent’s Caretaker
Wall Street Journal Blogs, NY - Jul 17, 2008
But, it seems to be more difficult to do that for at-home elder care, because even the companies that provide such helpers are often unregulated and operate ...

Experiences of institutionalised children documented
ABC Online, Australia - 5 hours ago
"The prospect of maybe having to go into elder care is quite a frightening one when you've not had a good experiences in care," she said. ...

Shortage of care squeezes seniors
Baltimore Sun, United States - Jul 18, 2008
For the elderly and their caregivers, the shortage of geriatricians comes as no surprise ("The elder-care crunch," July 13). This shortage, along with the ...

Volunteer opportunities
Eagle Tribune, MA - 2 hours ago
The COA, along with Northern Essex Elder Transport program, is seeking people to volunteer a few hours a month or more. NEET program reimburses the driver ...
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