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Knowing When to Seek Skilled Help for Senior Care

As our loved one’s age, their care needs often increase, requiring assistance and support to ensure their well-being. While family members may try their best to provide care, there are instances when professional help becomes necessary. Recognizing when to seek skilled assistance for senior care is crucial in ensuring the safety, health, and overall quality of life for our elderly family members.

When seniors experience a decline in their overall health or are diagnosed with complex medical conditions, it may be time to consider skilled help. Skilled healthcare professionals, such as nurses, possess the necessary expertise to manage medical conditions, administer medications, monitor vital signs, and address emergency situations effectively. Their presence ensures that seniors receive appropriate medical attention, and their health needs are met.

Medicare-certified home health care is available to individuals who meet certain criteria set by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare will pay 100% for those qualified.

To qualify for Medicare-certified home health care, an individual must meet the following requirements:

MediCare Eligibility: The person seeking home health care must be eligible for Medicare Part A and/or enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that covers home health services. Typically, this includes individuals who are 65 years or older or those with certain disabilities.

Physician’s Order: A doctor must certify that the person requires intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology services, or continued occupational therapy. The certification must be based on a face-to-face examination conducted by the physician or an allowed non-physician practitioner.

Homebound Status: The individual must be considered homebound, which means leaving home requires a considerable and taxing effort. This can include assistance from another person or the use of a mobility aid.

Care Plan: A plan of care must be established and reviewed regularly by a doctor. The plan should outline the necessary services, and it must be reviewed at least once every 60 days or when there is a significant change in the individual’s condition.

It’s important to note that not all home health care agencies are Medicare-certified. If you’re looking to receive Medicare coverage for home health care, you must select an agency that is certified by Medicare. These agencies meet specific quality and safety standards set by CMS.

Recognizing when to seek skilled help for senior care is essential for the well-being of our aging loved ones and ourselves as caregivers. By acknowledging the signs of declining health, increased dependence, cognitive impairment, social isolation, and caregiver burnout, we can make informed decisions to ensure seniors receive the professional care they require. Seeking skilled assistance not only improves the quality of life for seniors but also provides support for family members, fostering a sense of peace and confidence in the care being provided.

America in Crisis – COVID-19

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is quickly changing the way we live. The terms “self-quarantine”, “social distancing,” and “isolation” are often mentioned by the media. What do they mean, and how do we apply them to our families and communities?

What is self-quarantine?
A person who has been exposed to COVID-19 may decide to self-quarantine or voluntarily refrain from going out of his/her home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend self-quarantine for 14 days.

What is social distancing?
Social distancing means avoiding places where large numbers of people gather. For example: shopping centers, conferences, sporting events, and classes. According to the CDC, social distancing includes avoiding mass gatherings and maintaining a distance of approximately (6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible. The cancellations of events and closings are social measures designed to minimize possible exposure to someone carrying COVID-19.

What is isolation?
Isolation means a person who has contracted a communicable disease is completely separated from others. According to the CDC, for public health purposes, isolation may be voluntary or compelled by federal, state, or local public health orders. The person is kept away from everyone with the exception of health care providers, who will care for the person wearing protective gear.

The coronavirus is spread through respiratory vapor, such as when someone sneezes or coughs in the air around another person. According to the CDC, handwashing can prevent about 20% of respiratory infections. 

Know The COVID-19 Facts

A map of the world with text "Covid-19 Need to know....."

According to the CDC, illnesses have ranged from very mild (including some with no reported symptoms) to severe, including illnesses resulting in death. The CDC says information so far suggests that most COVID-19 cases are mild, while China suggests serious illness in 16% of the cases.

Watch for symptoms:
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Treatment:
There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19 according to the CDC. People who things they are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider.

Prevention:
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure. CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay at home when sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then toss it in the trash.
• Wash hands!
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

To stay up to date about the COVID-19 virus, visit cdc.gov.

Are Facemasks Effective?

Facemasks or surgical masks might help protect against cold and flu season – or in times of an outbreak, like the coronavirus. But how much protection do the masks provide?

Surgical masks are loose-fitting and disposable masks approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use as medical devices. Doctors, dentists, and nurses often wear them while treating patients. These masks prevent drops of body fluids that may contain viruses from escaping via the nose and mouth. The masks also protect against splashes or sprays from others, such as sneezes and coughs. The downside is that these masks don’t prevent the inhalation of small, airborne contaminants.

With everyone on edge about the current outbreak of 2019 coronavirus (2019-nCoV), how effective are the facemasks? Wearing a facemask might help prevent influenza as the virus spreads droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. A mask could protect a person from inhaling these droplets if it were worn consistently and fully covering the mouth and nose.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the facemasks are for people who are sick with a virus or believed to be infected, and for those who live with or care for them. There is no recommendation for the general public to start wearing facemasks for coronavirus. CDC advises washing hands frequently to prevent the spread of illness such as the flu. 

Health Risks of Ultra-Processed Foods

Before reaching for another slice of pizza or a chicken nugget, it might be worth taking a closer look at what eating too many processed foods could mean for your health. From potential risks like weight gain to heart disease, filling the diet with processed foods may not be worth the delicious pleasure or convenience. 

But we need to ask ourselves, what exactly is ultra-processed food? Ultra-processed foods are defined as ready-to-eat and microwaveable foods, such as bread, breakfast cereal, chicken nuggets, candies, chips, and artificially sweetened beverages. Ultra-processed food is a food item that has undergone a chemical or mechanical alteration to change or preserve it. Technically a “processed food” is any food that’s been changed before eating it, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

What are some of the health risks effects of ultra-processed foods?
• Increased cancer risk
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease

How to reduce processed foods from the diet?
• Check labels – the longer the ingredient list, the more processed the food is.
• Opt for minimally processed meats – seafood and chicken while avoiding items like sausage and cured meats.
• Start slowly – exchange processed foods with more fresh foods.
• Cook more meals at home.

It would be difficult to remove all heavily processed foods from the diet. Eating less processed food doesn’t have to be complicated. Buy more whole or minimally processed foods or do the processing yourself. Embrace home cooking for fun and health. 

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month to emphasize the importance of getting regular comprehensive eye exams. Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness worldwide, and in its early stages, has no noticeable symptoms. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anyone can get glaucoma, but certain groups are at higher risks. These groups include African Americans over age 40, all people over age 60, people with a family history of glaucoma, and people who have diabetes.

There are several types of glaucoma. The two main types are open-angle and angle-closure. Open-angle develops slowly and has symptoms and damage that are not noticed. Angle-closure can develop quickly, is painful, and visual loss can progress quickly.

Glaucoma is not curable, but early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent vision loss. It is recommended that those groups who are at high risk for glaucoma should get a complete eye exam every one to two years.

To learn more about glaucoma and to help raise awareness of this “silent thief of sight,” visit: https://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/.

UTIs and Dementia in Seniors

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in seniors can become a complex issue. It is important for family caregivers to know the signs of UTI in the elderly. UTIs can cause serious side effects like delirium and possibly lead to kidney infections and sepsis.

The elderly experience different symptoms of UTI compared to middle aged adults or even younger people, and the symptoms can be much worse. Older adults, particularly those with dementia, may not realize they have an issue and often are unable to communicate their symptoms to their caregivers.

When seniors contract a UTI, they sometimes experience a sudden and unexplained change in behavior, such as confusion, agitation, or withdrawal.

Certain UTI symptoms are easier to recognize in seniors than others. Following are a few indicators that can accompany UTI in the elderly:
• Behavioral changes
• Confused or delirium-like state
• Falling
• Hallucinations

Some UTI symptoms may be present but are ignored by elderly individuals.
• Fever
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Pain with urination
• Strong-smelling urine

There are a few simple steps to help avoid contracting a UTI, such as drinking plenty of water, emptying the bladder frequently, and encouraging urinary hygiene. 

Medicare vs. Medicaid

Difference Between

Medicare & Medicaid

Medicare and Medicaid are

Two Entirely Different Programs

 Medicare

 Medicaid

Government health insurance program for people over 65 and for those who are on Social Security disability. Funded jointly by the Federal Government and the individual states. Individuals must meet specific financial and “need for care” requirements in order to receive benefits.
Qualification based on age and/or disability. Participation not subject to income, asset or “needs” test. Qualification based on “need for care” and financial need. Single (unmarried) individuals must be essentially broke (below $2,000 in most states). Rules allow certain strategies to protect assets.
Provides coverage for hospitalization, doctors and other types of medical expenses. Medicare is a medical insurance program, and except for a limited short-term nursing home benefit, is not coverage for nursing home or other long-term care. Provides benefits for long-term nursing home care, and, in many states, benefits for other types of long-term care.
In order to get Medicare coverage for a nursing home stay, you must be in an approved skilled nursing facility, have been in the hospital for at least three days prior to entering the facility, and to be deemed by Medicare to be medically benefiting from that skilled nursing. Custodial care is not covered. Technically, there is a maximum of 100 days of nursing home benefit. In actuality, the requirement about medically benefiting usually limits the benefit to a period of 10-20 days for rehabilitation. Those individuals who meet the definition of “need for care,” as well as the financial requirements, can qualify for nursing home care (including custodial care). There is no maximum limit on the period of time that care can be provided.
Under no conditions does Medicare pay for assisted living, residential care facilities, and adult foster care. In many states, Medicaid will provide care in assisted living, residential care and/or adult foster care facilities.
Except during the time you’re in the hospital, Medicare does not cover medications. Medications are covered.
Medicare does have some benefit for home health but this is purely for medical reasons, not for caregivers to come in and attend to someone who needs help with personal needs on a long-term basis. In many states, in-home care is provided to allow for caregivers to come into the home to provide care and help with personal needs and activities of daily living.