Elder Care Case Management by Touching Hearts Senior Care

Touching Hearts Senior Care is a privately owned company that specializes in offering assistance to seniors to help them maintain their independence. THSC provides in-home non-medical services to seniors and those with disabilities. As such, THSC's caregivers can help with anything ranging from light housekeeping and laundry to bathing and dressing needs to incidental transportation. All THSC caregivers are thoroughly screened before hire and are licensed, bonded, and insured. Caregivers are available for time frames ranging from one hour to around-the-clock care.

THSC also specializes in Elder Care Case Management. With these services, THSC Case Managers are able to help older adults and their loved ones with all of the following:

CARE MANAGEMENT
THSC works with older adults and their loved ones to develop a plan of care and services that promotes autonomy and independence. We assist with Long-term Care Policy Reviews, Asset Protection Planning, Alabama Medicaid Exempt Trust Accounts, and Medicaid/VA Eligibility.

FAMILY MEDIATION
We work with the older adult and their loved ones to facilitate communication and informed decision making. This process can help avoid expensive and emotionally taxing court involvement. Voluntary mediation can help families confidentially settle disputes concerning: Care assessment and assignment of responsibilities; Living arrangements; Who should be appointed power of attorney, health care proxy, etc.; How finances should be managed; Estate and trust planning and administration.

DAILY MONEY MANAGEMENT
We encourage individuals to remain in control while receiving the right amount of support in an effort to avoid errors that could potentially lead to both financial loss and loss of independence. We can assist the senior with any of the following: Paying bills and resolving billing discrepancies; Identifying need to create or update important legal documents; Inventorying documents for monthly budget and year-end tax planning; Negotiating with creditors.

MEDICAID AND VETERAN'S BENEFITS
We can help in accessing public and private benefits and entitlements, and can answer the following questions: How can I qualify for Medicaid and still protect my home and assets? How do I possibly avoid Medicaid spend-down and understand look-back periods? What is a Medicaid Exempt Trust and how does it benefit me? Do I understand VA benefits and what is Aid & Attendance? Do I understand what my long-term care policy provides?

PATIENT NAVIGATION
Have you or a loved one just been released from the hospital? We can help you identify and prioritize your unique needs such as utilizing employee benefits and health and long-term care insurance claim reconciliation.

Questions? Please contact Certified Senior Advisor Gina Germany
Phone 251.445.4204
gina@touchingheartsseniorcare.com

ELDER LIVING OPTIONS

For most of us independence and privacy is an important condition for a comfortable life. We each have our habits and methods of doing things, and life has a rhythm that just "fits" our personalities. But as people age and physical changes occur, we may find ourselves or loved ones dealing with those changes ineffectively. Sooner or later the question starts ringing in our heads, "When should I look for help?"

But then we think, "Oh, I don't need help. I don't want to be a burden to anyone." or "I can't tell Mom what to do - she'd never listen to me, anyway." Or "Dad would never accept help, he's too proud." or "It's not time yet, let's wait." As so we wait and do what we can ourselves, all the while still wondering, "When should I look for help?"

The good new is we don't have to guess. There are some common indicators that help us tell when it's time to get some help. We don't have to wait for a crisis situation to throw everyone into a panic. If fact, the goal should be to avoid a crisis, for everyone's benefit.

Here are some indicators to consider...

1. PHYSICAL CONDITION:
Have you or your loved one been diagnosed with a medical condition that affects their daily living? For example, dressing, grooming, shaving, toileting, or eating.

2. PERSONAL CARE:
Are baths/showers being taken regularly? Is there any body odor? Are teeth and hair brushed and washed regularly? Are incontinence products worn if necesary and changed regularly and correctly?

3. DRIVING?
Has driving become difficult, uncertain or scary? Have reflexes and decision making slowed? Have new dings, dents or scratches, appeared on vehicles?

4. NUTRITION:
Are you or your loved one's weight stable? Are you/they eating regularly and nutritiously? Is the refrigerator properly stocked with a variety of foods? Does all the food have current expiration dates? Is there spoiled food in the refregerator or on the counters?

5. HOUSEHOLD TASKS:
Are household chores being done regularly? For example, dusting, laundry, or vacuuming. Are bed linens changed regularly? Have household chores become frustraing, physically demanding, or time consuming?

6. SOCIALIZATION:
Do you or your loved one have moods of loneliiness, despair, depression, frustration, irritability, or anxiet? Is there fear or insecurity about going out of the house?

7. MENTAL HEALTH:
Are there memory lapses? Is there difficulty finding the right words? Is there inconsistency between words and action? Is anxiety or moodiness evident?

8. MEDICATION:
Are medications being taken regularly and on time? Are medications being refilled on scheduled? Does the senior understand what the medications are being taken for?

9. FINANCES, MAIL, PAPERWORK:
Is the senior having difficulty managing their checkbook, finances, bills and personal affairs? Are there past due notices arriving? Is mail piling up? Is there a reasonable amount of cash on hand? Are important documents or similar items like purses, wallets and keys being misplaced frequently or for long periods of time? Are they appearing in unusual places?

10. SAFETY, SECURITY AND SANITATION:
Are appliances being left on, such as the stove or coffee pot? Does the senior fall asleep with cigarettes burning? Is the house allowed to get too hot or too cold? Is the house always unlocked? Has the senior fallen in the past 6 months? Have there been multiple falls? Is there clutter on the floor? Is trash piling up in or around the house? Are toilets functioning properly? Is pet debris evident?

Family members often see the changes in the way a senior moves, acts, thinks, and responds to situations around them, but dismisses them until one of two things happen. Either the family beings to spend so much time helping the senior themselves that they have little time for their own responsibilities, or the senior experiences a physical or medical crisis. Both of these result in undue stress for the family and the senior. If you have a concern with even one set of indicators, it's time to acknowledge it, learn more about what is causing it and what options are available to overcome it. Speak openly, calmly, and honestly about the issue and the type of assistance needed to overcome it. Frequently, simple changes can make a big improvement. We encourage you to be proactive and avoid a crisis situation that throws everyone into an emotional reaction. Calm, rational transitions are easier on everyone than stressful ones.

Finally, keep your efforts as informal as possible. Rather than going through the house like an inspector with a checklist, make your observations through normal, casual interaction. Make a mental note when you see things that are of concern. Keep conversations non-threatening and cooperative. Make every effort to respect the seniors wishes while assisting with their needs.
For more information go to http://www.touchingheartsseniorcare.com/