Warning Signs of Elder Neglect

July 19th, 2009 at 04:10pm Under Elder Law

You and your family searched for the best care center for your elderly parent. You asked all the right questions and checked the facility’s credibility and reputation. You saw it for yourself and talked to other residents. You did all the right things; but how do you know for sure that your loved one is being treated with the care and dignity they deserve?
The good news is most care facilities and their staff operates with the utmost of morals. They treat their patients as they would their own parents. There are instances, however, where elder abuse is taking place and their loved ones are completely in the dark as to what is going on.
So, how can you spot elder abuse and neglect? There are several signs to watch for, and these should be noted each time you visit your elder:
• untreated bed sores – this could be a sign that they are left in bed all day and not being cared for properly
• dirty and unbathed – if they need help bathing, this could mean your loved one is being neglected
• Soiled bed sheets and clothes – are they being left in their own filth?
• Unexplained weight loss – this is a sign they are not being fed on a regular basis.
• Your elder may show signs of dementia which could actually be signs of abuse: mumbling to themselves, rocking, etc.
There are also signs of physical abuse that are easier to spot than neglect or emotional abuse:
• unexplained broken bones, fractures or sprains
• broken eyeglasses
• bruises
• restrain marks on their arms or wrists
Many victims of abuse will not come forward and reveal that they are being abused. There are many reasons for this. Some victims feel ashamed, some are afraid of further retaliation by their abuser, and some are afraid they will not be believed.
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused, get help immediately. Take them to their medical doctor and have them thoroughly examined. If their doctor confirms that abuse has taken place, call the police and file a formal complaint. Call the facility as well and let them know that your loved one is being abused. It is possible that the administrators are not aware of what has been going on, or that it is only one particular person that has been an abuser.
You will also want to hire an attorney that specializes in elder abuse. They will look at the facts of the case and fight for your elder’s rights. They will call in expert witnesses like their doctor to confirm that abuse has taken place, and financial compensation may be awarded.
Most importantly, your elderly loved one will be taken out of the abusive situation and taken care of properly with dignity and grace. Elder abuse is a despicable crime, and those abusers should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. A knowledgeable and skilled attorney will make sure that happens.

Is Your Elderly Parent Driving You Nuts?

July 19th, 2009 at 10:10am Under Elder Law

By:  Carolyn L. Rosenblatt, R. N., Attorney at Law

Caregiving can be a beautiful, though difficult experience.  We love our parents, and want to help as they grow frail and less able to do for themselves.  It is our last chance, at this part of their lives, to show love, to be loved and to help them as they once helped us when we were babies.  But can they drive you a little crazy (or a lot) in the meantime?  You bet!

For those who are caring for an aging parent with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementia, the memory loss problems can lead to complete contradictions, irrational changes in behavior, and many repetitions. The parent may ask you the same question over and over, until you run out of patience answering it.  She may accuse you of taking her money, her purse, or anything, until you pick it up from where she left it and show it to her.  Then, maybe she’ll ask you for it again a few minutes later.  This kind of problem faces most caregiving adult children who are trying to manage an elderly parent at home.  How do you keep from blowing up?

Maybe you can’t and you lose patience sometimes.  When you do, it’s a sign of your stress level, and part of your internal “guidance” that you need some relief.  Where do you get it?  Family, friends, and caregiving agencies are good sources for many.  Even if you have a sibling who seldom helps, you may be able to persuade him or her to take Dad for a weekend, or a day. It won’t happen unless you ask, as the reluctant–to-help siblings never volunteer, do they?  Many assisted living facilities offer “respite care”.  That is, they will take care of your aging parent overnight, or for a few days, for a daily fee. The elder typically receives all meals and can participate in social activities offered. Arrangements must be made in advance, to be sure there is a room available.

Many homecare agencies will also place a worker with your aging parent for a day or even a few hours, to enable you to get a break.  You need to research agencies in your area and find out about short term services, if long term help is not in the budget.  When the budget is too tight to pay for help, seek relief through your local volunteer organizations, senior centers, churches, synagogues or community service groups.  Asking for a volunteer to stay with your elderly parent can relieve the feeling of being overwhelmed, and allow you to take care of your own needs that so often get pushed aside in the caregiver’s life.

The National Family Caregiver Alliance, a nonprofit organization,  is also a helpful resource, among many other resources on the internet.  It provides support groups and even local retreats for caregivers through its offices in many cities across the country. The most important thing is to ask for help. Admit that this just gets to be too much sometimes. We all have limits. It may seem hard to get away, but it is as necessary as caring for Mom that the caregiver take time out to refresh and recharge those batteries.

© 2009, AgingParents.com, Carolyn L. Rosenblatt, R. N., Attorney at Law

Top Ten Elder Fraud Prevention Methods

July 19th, 2009 at 04:11am Under Elder Law

We all want to protect our loved ones from danger, but it’s impossible to be with them every moment of the day. And unfortunate as it is, scam artists see your aging Mom or Dad as an easy target, knowing full well that elderly individuals are more likely to fall for their scams. Elder fraud often goes unreported, but it’s estimated that over $40 billion is stolen from America’s seniors every year (1), and, due to a lack of proper senior citizen fraud protection in place, this figure is increasing. Families and friends are fighting back and providing their loved ones with senior citizen fraud protection tips and tools to combat these elder fraud scam artists.

‘If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is’ rings true in many instances. Law enforcement agencies often remark on just how difficult it is to bring elder fraud perpetrators to justice – once an investigator has begun looking into the scheme, the scammers are already moving on to another ploy. There’s just no way to catch them all, which means it’s up to you to help your parents understand and implement senior citizen fraud protection tactics and be on the lookout for people who wish to do them, their property, or their savings significant harm.

How can you help your parents fight back against elder fraud? Aside from a quick lesson in senior citizen fraud protection, a handy cheat sheet by all the phones or computers in the home is often the best way to avoid these common elder fraud tricks, which include the following top ten ways to beat the bad guys.

What to Include on Your Senior Citizen Fraud Protection Cheat Sheet

1. Avoid sending money or providing personal financial information. Be cautious who you disclose your bank account, credit card, and social security numbers to. Suspicious, but realistic looking checks made out for a considerable amount of money should be an elder fraud red flag. Your parents should know that if they weren’t expecting a check, it could be a fake. Tell your loved ones if they have concerns related to this type of senior citizen fraud that protection comes from asking someone they trust for help. Checks such as these are usually accompanied with directions instructing the recipient to call a phone number. The message tells the caller to send taxes on the money he or she just received through a wire transfer service. The scam, of course, is that once the recipient sends the money, their check bounces.

2. Do not speak at length with people who are unfamiliar to you – tell your parents to decline answering questions of a private matter over the phone, Internet, or at the door. Above all, the key to senior citizen fraud protection is caution. If a telemarketer who is pushing a product begins asking for too much information, tell your loved one to request the name of his or her employer, the address, and a phone number. If a caller asks to speak to the man of the house and there isn’t one, tell your mother never to indicate that she lives alone.

3. Do not sign any documents without reviewing them carefully. Your loved one can often be signed up for something he or she may not be interested in and begin receiving phone calls that solicit other products. If anything appears suspect, tell your loved one to contact his or her lawyer or a trusted friend immediately. Many elder fraud con artists will pose as door-to-door salesmen and try to sell your loved one something on the spot, introducing multiple new products and a whirl of paperwork that needs to be signed now and paid for to ’secure’ it. This potential elder fraud ploy is dangerous, because the friendly salesman is no longer some distant threat with no face; he appears to be knowledgeable and trustworthy. Tell your parents one of the most important senior citizen fraud protection tools available to them is not to allow anyone into the home they don’t know.

4. Make sure to verify all claims. One of the newest elder fraud alerts is related to home construction or improvement, and much like any other industry, scams abound. The best senior citizen fraud protection tip in this instance is to use a well-known contractor in the area. Tell your parents to request references and contact the Better Business Bureau or the National Fraud Information Center if they’re unsure. Create a contract and make sure the work is carried out to the letter; a fly-by-night scheme will probably try to talk down the contract, but if it’s in writing, your loved one ultimately has more recourse. And if the contractor wants the money upfront, tell your loved one to move on to the next choice.

5. Reach out for help before investing or spending considerable amounts of money. Tell your loved one to call you with questions about any investment that involves a significant transfer of money or shares. In many cases, the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) can be a lifesaver; this organization regularly sends out information on the latest elder fraud schemes and offers senior citizen fraud protection tips as well as financial planning assistance and consumer rights, all of which can help your parents judiciously decide on various offers and purchases.

6. Shred all bills, notices, and personal mail before throwing them away. Information regarding your loved one’s financial situation is often retrieved by con artists from discarded mail that is not shredded (also known as ‘dumpster diving’). It’s all too easy for elder fraud scammers to get bank account and credit card numbers from statements as well as details on safe deposit boxes, ATM cards, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, and more. Remind your loved one that one of the most important senior citizen fraud protection tips is to tear up all mail before throwing it away. Or, better yet, give him or her the gift of a paper shredder!

7. Recognize predatory lending practices. This senior financial abuse and elder fraud practice, also known as loan fraud, is often perpetrated by mortgage brokers, appraisers, and home contractors looking for a quick buck. Seniors approach these seemingly knowledgeable individuals looking to refinance their homes, but are bombarded by fast-talking scammers who incorporate a must-act clause into the deal. In the end, your loved one will walk away with a high-cost loan with exorbitant fees totaling more than 5% of the entire amount. When talking with your loved one about predatory lending and senior citizen fraud protection tips, remind him or her that other tricks include pre-payment penalties, ‘flipping’ (when a loan is refinanced to generate fee income without providing any net tangible benefit to the borrower), mandatory arbitration, and other unnecessary additions. Don’t let your parents make this decision alone; help them be more informed consumers.

8. Avoid health insurance scams by identifying the red flags. Many lower income seniors rely on their Medicare health insurance, which is why many elder fraud scams originate here. Often, less-than-reputable medical equipment companies target seniors, offering free supplies in return for their Medicare numbers. Tell your loved one that the doctor must order and sign for all equipment and products before Medicare will pay for it. Remind your parents of the most important senior citizen fraud protection tips when it comes to health insurance, including never signing blank insurance claim forms, never providing unchecked medical authorization for billing purposes, always reviewing Medicare’s payment terms closely, never giving out their Medicare numbers to someone they don’t know, and verifying with their physician if they are unsure of a product or equipment that’s been ordered.

9. Bypass the ‘Sucker List’ altogether. Many seniors are eager to win something and often enter numerous sweepstakes, sign up for free magazines, or register for contests. Companies with elder fraud scam artists will keep records of these submissions, meaning your loved ones could end up on what is called the ‘Sucker List,’ making your parents that much more of an elder fraud target. This list usually contains not only people who the scammers believe to be a good target, but have already been successfully targeted before.

10. Just hang up. Scammers know that senior citizens are more polite, more trusting, and a lot less likely to hang up when the call becomes personal; unfortunately, elder fraud con artists take full advantage of this fact. Tell your loved one that if he or she doesn’t know the caller and questions regarding financial or personal matters come up, they can simply hang up on the caller with no questions asked. Hanging up is one of the simplest senior citizen fraud protection methods.

An Ounce of Prevention…

If your loved one has been a victim of elder fraud, please urge them to report it to the proper authorities. Falling for a scam is embarrassing to many seniors, making it one of the most under reported crimes. Their assistance in the matter can help bring con artists to justice and perhaps inspire other seniors to implement better methods of senior citizen fraud protection.

Another invaluable senior citizen fraud protection tool is helping your loved one sign up for the national ‘do not call’ registry to prevent harassing telemarketer calls. It’s a free service, and you can either call 888-382-1222 or register online at www.donotcall.gov. Another website that offers helpful senior citizen fraud protection tips of its own – www.fraud.org/elderfraud – helps fight against con artists by posting regular updates and information. Walking your loved one through potential elder fraud scenarios is as helpful as checking in regularly to go over financial transactions, bills, and emails as well as posting (in plain sight) the senior citizen fraud protection tips outlined above.

Ultimately, the only way to prevent elder fraud is through education, and this requires you to be firm on the subject, providing an insightful look into the various methods of senior citizen fraud protection. Caution is always the key to protection, and your loved one should be provided with a list of helpful sources to contact for additional information, including the National Consumer League’s Fraud Center, AARP, the Better Business Bureau, and Consumer Action. Above all, make sure your loved one always knows who he or she is dealing with in the course of transactions or investments. And, as always, it’s important to remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of ‘cure.’

Sources

1. http://www.fraud.org/elderfraud/eldproj.htm

25 Ways to Practice the Law of Attraction

July 18th, 2009 at 10:10pm Under Elder Law

The universal law of attraction has gotten a lot of attention in the past few years. The truth is it works. What you give you get. We are all made up of the same creative energy (our inner source), and how we use this energy determines what shows up for us in our everyday lives.

So the question is, would you like lack and depression? Or would you prefer abundance, happiness and enlightenment? If you opt for the latter, check out the list below to help get you there:

1. Look at your spouse and tell him how much you love him.

2. The next time you get cut off on the freeway, give that person a silent blessing that they have a safe journey.

3. The next time you have the urge to reach for a candy bar, choose a red delicious apple instead.

4. Start a daily log of positive affirmations.

5. Instead of watching TV at night, go outside and watch your Zen Fireflies.

6. Call a friend you haven’t seen in a while and schedule a lunch date.

7. Participate in more online forums.

8. Give a compliment everyday to someone you know or to a stranger.

9. The next time you feel “bored” go to your local library.

10. Volunteer at an elderly care facility.

11. Spend more time outside in nature.

12. The next time you feel like saying something negative, focus on your breathing.

13. Take extra care when you get ready in the morning-as if you were scheduled to meet someone you greatly respect.

14. Express gratitude for things you normally take for granted (breathing, your fingers and toes, etc).

15. Respect your body by exercising every day (walk, stretch, lift weights, practice yoga, etc.).

16. Smile throughout the day, especially when you do not feel like it.

17. Adorn your home with fresh flowers.

18. Go to a museum and allow at 15 minutes on one piece of art.

19. Give a friendly hello and wave to your neighbor the next time you see him.

20. Read and listen to only inspirational material for a solid week.

21. Research different charities that are close to your heart, and give to them on a regular basis.

22. Call a family member you haven’t contacted in a while and find out how they are doing.

23. Create order on your desk where you work.

24. Dispense with plastic water bottles and get a water filter.

25. Sing in the shower

26. Pretend you are like the magical fireflies – dance with abandon and let your light shine.

Practice these steps and before you know all kinds of wonderful people and situations will manifest in your life. Remember that living a joyful life is a process. Be patient and forgiving with yourself. In turn, you will naturally become more compassionate with others. When you begin to really understand the grand design of the Universe and how there is infinite supply you will wake up each day like you are the most fortunate being alive.

Tithing Did not Predate the Law

July 18th, 2009 at 04:11pm Under Elder Law

What Abraham gave of the spoils of war has no parallel whatsoever with the tithe in the Law, or with what is going on today.

Many rely on the argument that the spoils were Abraham’s property to do with as he pleased. This assumes that Abraham was a man with a character very much like any renegade, vagabond of his day. I tend to think of him as being a far cut above the average man, given that the Lord chose him above all other men of that day for his great faith. Additionally, a true believer would NEVER consider property they recovered, property they knew was never theirs to begin with, and that therefore belongs to someone else, to be their own. Who among you would do that, except that you live in sin? And yet, many attribute Abraham as having an evil disposition by trying to force upon him a character that assumes other people’s property was his to keep.

The OT tithe in the Law had nothing to do with the upkeep of the temple. As a matter of fact, the OT tithe had nothing to do with anyone’s wages. Today, however, tradition has planted a very twisted belief about the Bible, and thus forcing the uncritical mind into conformity to a mindset that has nothing to do with the Truth. Fishermen, carpenters, clothiers, craftsmen, etc., were not required to tithe to the Levites. Jesus didn’t tithe, and neither did His disciples. Today, however, we are surrounded by a paradigm found nowhere in the word of God.

The scriptures show us an example of supporting people and their needs first and foremost.

Modern buildings, owned by the various religious organizations, overseen by the hirelings and the staffing within, with their numerous operations, consume the lion’s share of professing believer’s primary giving. This is basically a practice of the people lavishing their own so-called giving upon themselves, which isn’t giving at all.

This grates against the sensibilities of the purely religious…which describes people who take carnal things and spiritualize them. They spiritualize the building by calling it ‘God’s House’. They spiritualze the man-made position of the so-called ‘pastor’ (CEO) within religious institutions, and they spiritualize the activities within the four walls of their building by assuming that it all has the Divine stamp of approval upon them. Token outreaches are also seen as legitimizing activities for all the other sins of institutional church organizations, such as the robbery of God by using the people’s primary giving for their own expenditures.

The acid test of any ministry is to pull the money out from under it. If it collapses into a heap, then it clearly wasn’t of God. Jesus sent His disciples without any money purse, extra shoes or extra tunics. Their every need was met where they traveled and ministered.

Where is that level of faith today…?

For further discussion about this subject, please feel free to visit AbsoluteTruth Forums and register an account.

Please visit our website and register an account to discuss this firther.

Celebrating Love in the Law of Attraction

July 18th, 2009 at 10:10am Under Elder Law

It really doesn’t matter whether you have a significant other to celebrate love. Celebrating love in general, with everyone you hold dear, will help their lives as well as your own.

We all know that through the Law of Attraction the strongest emotions that will bring your desires to you are love and being grateful. These emotions should be an everyday occurrence. Sure, they will help you with attaining what you want in life. But they are very beneficial to every area of your life and others can benefit from your celebrating love.

We have a special day to celebrate love, but it is usually seen as being geared toward romantic love. This doesn’t have to be the case. By offering your feelings about your parents, your children, and anyone else who you love, it will send out wonderful emotions and just make life all around better and all the more precious. When was the last time you told your sister that you loved her? Or a best friend? By doing so, you will spread the feeling of love to another and it will become infectious.

Show someone you care. Visit the rest home in town and give a flower to an elderly person. Bake a heart shaped cake and give it to the volunteers at the animal shelter. Enjoy giving love to others. Tell them how much you appreciate their efforts.

Then there is the ultimate form of love: Loving mankind. Show the Universe your gratitude by giving back in some way through love.

Instead of just recognizing one day to celebrate love, celebrate the overall love of mankind every day. Help someone with their groceries. Show the Universe that you are giving back to the world. The act may seem small, but it isn’t. There are no small acts of love as far as the Universe is concerned.

You will find by showing small random acts of kindness, you will change as a person. You will begin to see life through the eyes that you were meant to see through, the eyes that help mankind through the Universe.

Take your significant other and create some random acts of kindness and love for everyone. There are many people who feel unloved, and by showing your love and gratitude through the perception that every human being deserves love, this act of kindness will pass the torch to the one receiving the love. And they will continue to pass the torch along, until your kind acts have affected more than just your original, single act of kindness. This is how you spread love and gratitude throughout the world. By supporting each other and letting everyone know that they are loved.

Pass on the love and gratitude through the Law of Attraction, and just wait and see what attracts back to you. We guarantee you won’t be waiting long.

Taking The Keys Away From An Elderly Driver

July 17th, 2009 at 10:12am Under Elder Law

More and more adult children each year are facing the heart rending decision of taking the car keys away from elderly parents whose driving behavior has become a danger to themselves and others. This isn’t an easy decision to make because it represents the older driver’s sense of independence and dignity. For anyone facing this choice, there are some valuable tools to help you with your decision.There is no set age at which a driver is no longer able to drive; some drivers maintain their vision, reflexes and physical abilities well into their 80s and 90s while others, due to diseases such as heart disease or diabetes may face the decision of giving up their license in their 50s. The data shows that older people, due to their fragility and health issues stand a greater chance of becoming a fatality in a traffic collision but the good news, from an Insurance Institute for Highway (IIHS) study released in December, shows that the death rate for older drivers declined steadily between 1997 and 2006 compared to drivers in other age groups. There is no definitive data showing why the death rate for older drivers has declined but it is felt that older drivers are “self limiting” their driving by no longer driving at night, making shorter trips and avoiding interstates. There is also a feeling that more drivers are surrendering their license on their own when they can no longer pass the vision test or they come to the conclusion on their own that they no longer possess the ability to drive safely.For those that refuse to surrender their license, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) provides the following warning signs:

You can also suggest to an older driver they complete a Mature Drivers course that focuses on accident prevention.   In some states this course provides mature drivers with an insurance discount and allows for a review of basic driver improvement.

Aussiecats takes on the new local cat laws in Western Australia

July 17th, 2009 at 04:11am Under Elder Law

In WA local laws are being introduced in several shires in relation to the keeping of cats. The City of Joondalup have formalised laws which will come into effect in October 2009. Other shires are testing these new laws over the next 12 months before compulsory registration of cats is enforced and the application of fines.

These laws aim to promote responsible cat ownership, welfare and safety of domestic cats and to assist in the prevention of nuisances to the community caused by cats.

Unfortunately for cat owners there is presently no avenue of disputing these laws with the individual shires nor dispute the decisions made under them. These laws have the potential to disrupt and damage relations between neighbours and encourage vigilantes to target several cats in one street just because they don’t like cats.

There are some variations in these local laws depending on which shire your suburb falls in, the main requirements are:-

1. The registration of cats may be compulsory for each cat you own or only for 3 – 6 cats.

2. All registered cats within the Shire shall be sterilized.

3. Cat owners shall ensure their cats are identified by a collar and tag with their identification details including address and telephone number of the owner or be micro-chipped with the contact information of the owner.

4. A cat shall not be in a public place unless it is under effective control; a cat shall not be in designated place specified in a schedule under the local law in particular protected flora & fauna areas. A cat shall not be on private premises where a complaint by the owner or occupier of the premises has been made to the City in relation to the cat’s unwanted presence on the property.

Penalties

Contraventions to these local laws may incur a fine as nominated by your Shire or the impoundment of your cat by an authorised person which includes a Shire Officer or the occupant/owner of a private residence. If a complaint is made by a neighbour to the Shire about your cat, the Shire Advocate or a Shire Ranger will contact you directly as to the nature of the complaint and remedies expected.

Note: you cannot be forced to fully enclose your cat currently under these local laws, only to keep your cat inside during the hours of 9pm to 6am each day.

Where an unidentified cat is impounded and not collected within 7 days of its impoundment the Shire can offer the cat for sale, cause the cat to be destroyed or cause the cat to be rehoused.

How these Local Cat Laws affect Real People…

Trapping cats and removing them from their own street and neighborhood under these new local laws is an emotional issue for the cat owner, their immediate family and for other pets in the household. Children are particularly affected when a beloved pet goes missing as are the elderly and those pet owners who have had their cats for a many years.

With the urban sprawl in Australia the advent of much smaller block sizes for home owners means we are nearer to our neighbours than ever before. Surely there has to be some realism to these new cat laws and equality & fairness for cat owners to also protect their cats and have the due process to dispute complaints.

Aussiecats.com is a new website set up for cat owners in Australia to publicly protest against these new cat laws.  Presently cat owners have no rights to dispute complaints made against their cats under these new laws nor are there any legal avenues to protect your cat being trapped by a neighbour.  Game on…

Plowing Through the Problems of Elder Care

July 16th, 2009 at 10:10pm Under Elder Law

As baby boomers watch the years fly by, one of their biggest concerns is sorting through the many problems of caring for their elderly parents. When is it no longer safe for our elderly parent to stay home alone? How can we maintain our jobs, our home, our children, and care for our parents all at the same time? What resources are available to help? How do we approach the subject with them? How can we help them keep their independence and dignity? How do we deal with the stress of it all?

As our parents age, we need to stay diligent and aware of changes in their mental orientation and ability to care for themselves. Are they just a little forgetful at times, or is it something more worrisome than that? If they are able to take their medications without being reminded, bathe alone, dress without assistance, prepare meals every day, and they are not experiencing frequent falls or sudden illnesses, they are probably safe to be at home alone. There are monitoring systems and personal emergency alert systems that can provide added security by making help available to them in the event of an accident or sudden illness.

However, if you notice that your parent’s health is declining, that they have increased weakness or weight loss, if they have had frequent falls, if they are not taking their medications, not eating properly, and not able to do their personal care without help, it may be time to look into other options. Sometimes the increased care is all they need to regain their strength and be able to continue living at home, avoiding placement in a nursing facility or some other major life change.

Finding the help you need is another obstacle. Knowing who to go to for help may seem to be an overwhelming task, but there are many resources available to seek information and counsel. Private duty organizations, home health agencies, and hospices are all viable places to start if you want to help your parent stay at home.

The Indiana Association for Home Care and Hospice (IAHHC) has a listing of all local agencies, both for private pay and agencies that accept Medicare and/or insurance payor sources. You can find them on their web site: www.ind-homecare.org.

When investigating which private agency to use, make sure they are licensed appropriately and that they do criminal background checks on all their employees. Their staff should be bonded and insured, and you should not have any of the burden for carrying worker’s compensation, tax liabilities, or social security. A new law beginning in January of 2006 requires all private duty, non-medical services to be licensed through the state of Indiana. Make sure the agency you choose has gone through this licensing process, and you will be safer in trusting that they have taken all the appropriate steps in ensuring good care for your loved one.

There are many financial resources available to help pay for private duty care, such as reverse home mortgages. The Veterans Administration can give you valuable information on benefits for veterans who need care at home and have served at least one day in the service during war time. These benefits are also available for spouses of veterans. Look on the web for more information regarding financial concerns; there’s plenty of information available. You can also contact private duty agencies and request assistance in finding funds that are available.

Private duty agencies can provide any kind of non-medical care needed to assist the client in staying at home. They will provide personal care assistance, medication reminders, cleaning, cooking, laundry, running errands, and transportation to appointments, and a variety of other services. They are usually available twenty four hours a day, including holidays and week ends, and do not require any doctor’s orders to initiate the care.

Home health care requires a doctor’s order for services to begin, and the patient must be certified to be on “home bound status”. This means that they can only leave home to visit the doctor, go to church, or to the beauty or barber shop. A nurse will visit on a regular basis, and a home health aide will assist with personal care. Some home health agencies also provide physical therapy, social services, speech therapy, and occupational therapy as well. Most home health care agencies are not available in the evening hours, on week ends, or on holidays. The majority of home health agencies accept insurance and Medicare payments.

Hospice care also requires a doctor’s order, and the patient must have a life-limiting disease with expectations of six months or less to live. Patients can be re-certified for hospice every sixty days, and may live much longer than six months and still be in hospice care. Hospice care also provides nursing and home health aide services, along with extra

support to the family and patient during this difficult time. Comfort measures are a priority in the plan of care, and they have a variety of services such as social services, pastoral care, and volunteer services as well. Medicare and insurance usually are accepted. There will always be a hospice nurse on call twenty four hours a day to assist with any emergencies or special problems during times when the office is closed.

Sometimes the best plan is a combination of home health or hospice along with private duty care. Many seniors are resistant to accepting any kind of help at first, and will require continual reassurance effort to help them maintain as much independence as possible.

When addressing these issues, never “speak down” to your loved one. Remember, even though roles are changing, they still deserve to be honored and respected. Sometimes calling a care giver “the maid” or “the butler” rather than a “caregiver” or “home health aide” will help them accept the situation with a little less anxiety. It’s all in the attitude that it’s presented to them – help them feel a sense of control in the situation whenever possible. Try to help them understand that these changes are happening in their home because you love them and want them to be able to stay at home as long as possible and not have to live in a facility to get the help they need.

Don’t forget to schedule time for yourself during this intensely demanding season of your life. By succumbing to false guilt or unreasonable demands, you may be setting yourself up for a disaster later. Take time to enjoy your immediate family, your hobbies, and leisure time as well. Join in with other caregiver groups for extra support – you can find them at churches or on the web. You’ll be safeguarding your own ability to handle this long term role as a caregiver with a healthy mind, body, and spirit.

Sponsor Your Elderly Parents

July 16th, 2009 at 04:11pm Under Elder Law

Should I consider finding a house nurse? Should I send my parent/parents to an old age home? What will make them happy?

It’s been documented that because millions of people are deciding to migrate, millions of frail elderly people are left behind to fend for themselves. While the young leave their home countries for a better life, their parents are often left in the lurch. It’s estimated that more than 1 000 people a week migrate to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. As a result, Hong Kong has seen a growing number of “elderly orphans”.

Perhaps the best and most sensible start would be to have a chat with your parents. Consider their feelings and their concerns. Perhaps, they’re not interested in such a massive change? Try to discuss your feelings and then compromise. Attempt to alleviate your parents concerns. Offer alternatives to ideas you do not agree with.

Once you’ve had a heart-to-heart with your parents, set up a meeting with a clued up consultant, for in depth information. Then consider your various options.

Usually, parents aren’t included as accompanying dependants of the main applicant. Parents can be sponsored once the applicant becomes a permanent resident. In exceptional cases an elderly parent can be included as an accompanying dependant pursuant to the Last Surviving Member policy.

Family Sponsorship Currently, when applying for the entry of parents or grandparents it is done under the family sponsorship route. You require a proof of relationship and meeting the LICO (low Income Cut Off) Standards of Income. Canadian applications to sponsor your parents, will require you to prove to the Canada Immigration that you have sufficient income to support a family group of a certain number. Everything is dependent on the Canadian city you plan to live in.

Note:

Each country abides by a set of rules such as Australia.

Family Stream of Australian Migration Program: With this visa you’re able to the reunion in Australia of immediate family members, including parents. Consider; the parent category and the contributory parent category.

Contributory parent category: This category is considered ahigher priority. This Visa has a substantially higher visa application charge and larger Assurance of Support (AoS) bond, with a longer AoS period).

Parent Category comprises:(for applicants from outside Australia). This category comprises of Subclass 103 Parent (Migrant) Visa and (for applicants applying from within Australia) Subclass 804 Aged Parent (Residence) Visa).

You could contact organisations such as http://www.elderlyparents.org.uk. These organisations will help you and your parents make the neccessary decisions.

Your Parents still have their lives to live. They should have the right to make choices that will make them happy. Your parents should be a priority.

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Disclaimer: While all due care has been taken to ensure that the information within this article at the time of publication is correct, I.U cannot accept responsibility for the content for any inaccuracies that occurs as a result of changes in immigration regulations, policy or other variables affecting the eligibility of individual applicants. Immigration laws, skill shortage determinations etc are subject to change by appropriate authorities and thus are outside of our control. Please contact us for further advice before taking steps towards immigrating. This article is published in good faith.

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