Senior Resources
Veterans: Aid and Attendance Benefit
Wartime Veterans and surviving spouses who need senior care may qualify for a significant monthly income form the Department of Veterans Affairs. Those who have served during one of the qualifying periods and meet the requirements, are eligible to receive Aid and Attendance. This benefit is used to pay for Assisted Living and one’s care indefinitely. For more detailed information and how to apply, please visit the US Department of Veteran Affairs website: www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound
Hospice vs Palliative Care
Hospice care is similar to palliative care, but there are important differences to know. More than 90 percent of hospice care is paid for through Medicare, so hospice patients must meet Medicare’s eligibility requirements; palliative care patients do not have to meet the same requirements. Here is more information from The National Institute on Aging explaining how when these services are used and what benefits they provide. nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care
Power of Attorney vs Guardianship/Conservator
When a loved one becomes unable to take care of their daily affairs, it may become necessary to have someone legally appointed to help them remain safe and financially secure. While power of attorney and legal guardianship can perform similar functions, they are vastly different in terms of who is appointed, who does the appointing and how much control the appointed agent or guardian has. To find which is appropriate for your situation, the following link will guide you through the process: www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/lce/resources/dc-guardianship-vs-powers-of-attorney.pdf
Dementia Explained
Dementia is the term used to describe a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with ones’ daily life. It isn’t a specific disease, but several diseases that are the cause. The impact dementia can have on family and friends often leads to confusion about how to help and what to do. Understanding the disease and its progression can help alleviate some of the frustration and assist in managing situations with positive results. The National Institute on Aging provides a vast amount of information to help understand dementia: newsinhealth.nih.gov/special-issues/seniors/dealing-dementia
10 Warnings Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
In mild Alzheimer’s disease, one form of dementia, a person may seem healthy but has more and more trouble making sense of the world around him or her. Realizing that something is wrong often comes gradually to the person and his or her family. Here are 10 warning signs and symptoms according to The Alzheimer’s Association: www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs
Getting Started
Ginter Hall South is a Community of Care. We have over forty years of experience caring for seniors as they age with progressive needs for assisted living and memory care. Our professional can speak with you about your specific needs and concerns to offer guidance no matter if you elect to place your love one in our community or elsewhere. We are here to offer you information and support as you work through your personal decisions on which plan is best for you and your family. You can find additional details about getting started at Ginter Hall here.