Logan Aitken

The demands of caregiving for a loved one can be overwhelming. Caregiver burnout is the state of emotional, mental and social exhaustion often accompanied with a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.

Being a burnt out caregiver, it is tough to do almost anything. And this doesn’t mean just doing anything for your loved one but it is tough to do almost anything for yourself. In most circumstances the constant stress results in exhaustion, self neglect, anxiety and depression. The burnout is brought on by many reasons, such as;

Unrealistic Expectations: Many caregivers expect their help to have a positive impact, resulting in better health and happiness of the patient. However, most patients suffer from progressing diseases meaning you may never reach your goals that you have for the patient and their progression.

Role Confusion: This is actually a more common occurrence than you may first realize. When getting thrusted into a role of a caregiver, it’s hard to separate your role of a spouse, family member or friend. Creating difficult emotional and mental issues.

Lack of Resources: Many caregivers become frustrated or down on themselves and the situations when they place goals they do not have the commodities (money, skill, resources, etc.) to reach.

Although these are just a few, burnout can result in many symptoms;

Feeling resent, irritable, helpless and hopeless.

A change in appetite, loss of weight

Changes in sleep pattern

Getting easily sick/ New or worsening health problems

Unable to function properly

Neglecting own needs

A burnout is a common occurrence in caregiving. It affects you, your family and your patient. A home health professional can avoid you from reaching this point or help you back on your feet.

Home health care can be there when you aren’t able to be. It’s hard to give your near undivided attention to someone when you have other responsibilities. Stretching yourself too thin can, of course, aid to your burn out.

Easy Access to skilled medical care at home. Certified and licensed nursing is easily accessed to ensure that your loved one’s medial needs are quickly met .

Home health care support diet and nutrition. Going along with the last point, knowledgeable nutritional counseling helps protect loved ones from malnutrition.

Health care professional provide companionship. They help with social interaction and a somewhat active lifestyle. Sometimes frustration and discouragement builds when you see someone you love struggling and remember them once strong and healthy. Home health care professionals usually do not know the patient beforehand, meaning they only know them in their struggling state. They care and want to help but do not get overwhelmed when progression may be slow or non-existent as opposed to the feelings of a discouraged family member.

Home health care is such an affordable alternative to facility or hospital care, not only in price range but also when it comes to your mental and physical health. It can be just the support you or someone you know needs, to help manage caregiving responsibilities.

Some of the most difficult factors in providing care for an aging loved one is figuring out the time and means of meeting their needs, as their ability to remain independent begins to dwindle. Luckily, with innovations in modern medicine and advancement in Home Care services there are many options available specifically for these individuals; all in a setting that they are comfortable and familiar with. The main issue is that many people don’t know about these services or are hesitant of them because of how much they might cost.

 

The truth is – Home Care provides many benefits at a price that is much lower than most people think. According to one of the industry educators, Paying For Senior Care, in 2018 the average cost for non-medical in-home services are $20/hr. with services ranging anywhere from $15-27.50/hr. There are also many different options for financing and personal payment plans.

 

Financial Assistance for Home Care
– Medicaid
– Veterans Programs
– State Non-Medicaid Programs
– Other Options

Self-Payment Options for Home Care
– Reverse Mortgages & HELOCs
– Life Insurance Policy Conversions
– Home Care Loans
– Long Term Care Insurance

Financial Assistance for Home Care

In deciding which method of payment best fits your situation and needs, there are several important things to consider while making a decision. First is that in most cases Medicare and Medicaid usually won’t reimburse for Home Care since it is considered a “long-term” service. However, programs like Long Term Care Insurance and Department of Labor Policies are generally great to work with when trying to figure out financial assistance. For those who have served in the armed forces the Veterans Administration offers what is called “Aid & Attendance” pensions.

 

Medicare/Medicaid

Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage if you are 65 and older or have a severe disability, regardless of what your income is. Medicaid, on the other hand, is a state and federal program that provides health coverage if you have a very low income.

 

Veterans Aid & Attendance

Veteran Pensions are NOT determined or dependent on injuries and disabilities acquired during active duty. Aid and Attendance can help pay for care in the home, nursing home or assisted living facility. Both veterans and the surviving spouse are both eligible for aid which are determined on several different conditions.

 

State Non-Medicaid Programs

These state-funded programs are designed around the premise of preventing unnecessary institutionalization of elderly individuals by assisting in funding for in-home care and rehabilitation activities to help regain independence. Typical modifications include remodeling homes to be safer in kitchen & bathroom areas, adding wheelchair ramps,  installing stair-lifts, and widening doorways. Funds typically come in the form of grants or loans.

 

Self-Payment Options for Home Care

For Self-Payment options there are special Home Care loans, life-insurance conversions, and even reverse mortgage as options to fund home care. These methods are ways that aging individuals can independently afford support by utilizing assets they have acquired, without placing timely or financial burdens on others.

 

Reverse Mortgages

Reverse Mortgages allow individuals elderly individuals to utilize equity they have built up and receive home equity loans from a bank on which they won’t have to pay monthly mortgage costs. These loans are typically paid back once the lendee moves out of their residence or passes away.

 

Senior Care Loans

There are several different types of Senior Care loans which were designed specifically for elderly individuals who are short of funds and are in need of assistance. These loans often require the seniors home, real estate, or family member co-signers.

 

Life Insurance Policy Conversions

Often time life-insurance policies are purchased to aid family after a relative has deceased. However, these policies can be converted to “accelerated” or “living” benefits that can cover the cost of living while the policy holder is still living. For many policies there are cash-out options available for up to 50-75% of the face value. Different companies have varying policies but this is definitely an option worth looking into.

 

Navigating through these options can be difficult and stressful – however, there has never been a time where so many Home Care options have been available. Be sure to choose a program that you can trust and one that offers flat-rates where there won’t be any hidden charges or suprise fees. By choosing a company that understands health as the greatest investment – any money spent on Home Care will be money well spent.

 

If you have any questions please contact Kind Hearts Senior Care at 435-275-1656 or by emailing Logan@KindHeartsSeniorCare.com.

 

One of the most difficult positions to be in life is to watch the health of a loved one fade, along with their ability to remain independent. These situations can place many heavy and unexpected burdens in trying to assist these individuals with the day-to-day living amenities; such as eating, bathing, grooming, taking medications, paying bills, shopping, and more. Luckily, there are a lot of different options out there to assist you in giving these individuals the love and attention you know they deserve. Two of the most popular options are Home Care and Assisted Living.

Assisted Living

While both Home Care & Assisted Living offer common styles of assistance, they differ quite dramatically in how each caters to the needs of the individual. As an Assisted Living resident your loved one will become intertwined with a community of other residents, social circles, staff, and the daily routine that brings stability and structure into their lives. Assisted living facilities will often also provide features of entertainment, security, and some medical assistance/monitoring for residents on site. One of the greatest benefits of this type of service is that it allows individuals to get the social attention they need while staying active, mobile, and safe. While assisted living facilities provide all of these features, there is less privacy and independence than other forms of in-house care.

Home Care

Likewise, Home Care also provides many features of personal care, but does so in the comfort and security of the home. This assistance includes many of the day-to-day needs that often become difficult for the elderly to accomplish regularly. In some cases Home Care professionals are even able to help individuals regain their independence as a step by step rehabilitation process. This service is commonly performed by a trained professional who will visit the home periodically and assist your loved one with their daily needs. These types of services include: meal preparation, cleaning, dressing, bathing, grooming, transportation, and even some medical monitoring. Home Care also provides one of the main benefits that Assisted Living offers by brining friendly companionship to those who are in need of social interaction into a setting that is much more familiar and comfortable.

 

In conclusion, everyone has their own preference of what they are most comfortable with and finding a solution should focus primarily on that. The main benefits of a Home Care plan is that it allows the individual to stay with their family in a setting they are familiar with while providing professional assistance. The benefits of an Assisted Living facility is that there will be 24-hour support and supervision if there is ever a need.

To find out more information give us a call at (435) 275-1656 or click here.

Home Care vs Home Health: What is the Difference?

Home Health and Home Care are two distinct types of intervention that sometimes get confused with one another because they both take place in the home setting. However, most people do not understand the differences and use these terms interchangeably even though they both provide unique types of respective in-home assistance. The biggest difference is that Home Health is clinical care provided by licensed professionals while Home Care is non-clinical care.

Home Health

Home Health is typically warranted after a person has undergone an inpatient stay at a hospital, rehabilitation, or skilled nursing facility. This service is most commonly prescribed by doctors orders until the individual has the knowledge and peace of mind to regain personal independence. Skilled and licensed medical professionals will assist, monitor, and educate the patient in their home on their road to recovery. Home Health services commonly include:

 

 

• Therapy and skilled nursing services

• Administration of medications, including injections

• Medical tests

• Monitoring of health status

• Wound care

 

 

Since it is considered medical care, Home Health is covered by insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.

 

Home Care

Home Care is beneficial to those who struggle to perform the tasks of day-to-day living. This includes eating, bathing, cleaning, doing laundry, and even companionship. This type of care is classified under personal care and is performed by non-clinical staff. Those who may consider using Home Care services are individuals who need assistance with daily grooming and meal preparation, those who can’t drive and need transportation, and even those who are alone that may be in need of friendly companionship interactions. Home Care services commonly include:

 

 

• Meal preparation

• House cleaning

• Helping dressing, bathing and grooming

• Transportation

• Reminders to take medicine

• Help with bill paying

 

 

Since Home Care is considered personal care the payment options will be covered either privately or is some cases for low-income Seniors by Medicaid. However, recent medical evidence suggests that Home Care can be one of the most cost-effective forms of health care while providing some of the best results.

 

If you have any questions about what type of healthcare service you need please contact us at (435) 275-1656 or click here.

 

Often times when a new client starts receiving home care services, their family lives out of town and has little to no knowledge of the client’s health and wellbeing. With more and more families living out of town, Kind Hearts Senior Care has the perfect solutions for families to keep track of their loved ones, without being invasive.

The Family Room is an included feature offered by Kind Hearts Senior Care. This amazing tool allows for family members to listen to caregiver notes, insight, and general comments about their loved ones most recent shift. Requiring nothing more than a username and password, the Family Room is an incredibly useful and simple tool to gain peace of mind that your loved one is being taken care of.

If you or a loved one is looking for home care services in St. George Utah, Kind Hearts Senior Care is the best option. Call us today for a free consultation!

As our Seniors age, something that commonly occurs is “caregiver burnout”. Caregiver burnout is when the primary caregiver in the home (usually a spouse) starts to decline faster than the person receiving care. This is due to the physical, mental, and emotional strain that it puts on the caregiver.

Recently, the APA, and AARP performed a study about caregiver burnout. The results from this study were quite surprising!

Results show that…….

• 19% of caregivers experience regular and recurring physical strain
• 60% of caregivers suffer from depression
• 60% of caregivers are trying to work and care give
• 61% of working caregivers have to make work accommodations due to caregiving needs, this means they either take time off, leave work early, cut back on work hours, retire early, or turn down a promotion
• Working caregivers are 25% more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure
• Working caregivers are 50% more likely to experience daily physical pain than their colleagues who do not have caregiving responsibilities

So what does all of this information mean?

Caregivers need help! While often times easier and more economical, the long term toll on a caregiver can have long lasting effects.

At Kind Hearts Senior Care, our caregivers are trained on how to lift, transfer, and help seniors with activities of daily living. Using a caregiver 2-3 times a week will drastically improve ones physical and mental health! Call Kind Hearts Senior Care today for a free consultation for Senior Care in St. George Utah! 435-275-1656