Advice for the Adult Children of Retiring Baby Boomers
This year the oldest of America’s 77 million baby boomers are beginning their retirement years. Now the adult children of these boomers are becoming parents for their parents, doing the research to find the best healthcare options to care for them.
To help the adult children of aging parents The National Association for Homecare and Hospice has come up with the following tips: “Signs it is Time to Consider Home Care or Hospice” and “Questions to Ask When Choosing a Home Care Provider.”
Signs it is Time to Consider Home Care/Hospice:
1. The patient is consistently short of breath, unable to eat, sleeping excessively, and experiencing increasing pain.
2. The patient has started to withdraw from life and/or family and friends.
3. The doctor has stated that the patient’s condition is not curable and that there are no more medical options.
4. The patient has expressed they are ready to die but the family is not ready to let go.
5. The treatment the patient is receiving seems no longer to be helping or working but prolonging the inevitable.
6. Financial issues are becoming more challenging.
7. The patient is unable to do everyday chores such as dressing themselves, going to the toilet or bathing without assistance.
8. It is becoming harder for the caregiver to take care of the patient.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Home Care Provider:
1. Can you please share your company’s performance standards for their employees?
2. How long has your company been in business?
3. What qualifications, certifications, experience and training do you require of your workers?
4. Are your employees insured and bonded?
5. How do you supervise your workers to make sure the proper care is given?
6. Will the same caregiver oversee my case consistently?
7. Do you conduct a home visit before starting the home care service?
8. Do you work with my doctor in developing a plan of care?
9. Can you provide me some references from doctors, hospital personnel and social workers?
10. Has your company been involved in any lawsuits involving customer satisfaction?
The National Association for Homecare and Hospice (NAHC), on the web at www.nahc.org, is the world’s largest trade association advocating for homecare and hospice. The association, founded in 1982 and headquartered in Washington, DC, encourages development and delivery of the highest quality medical, social and supportive services to the nation’s frail, disabled and aged. Home health and hospice services range from high-tech skilled nursing and therapy to personal care management available by visit or around the clock.
Val Halamandaris, President of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), has been the driving force behind the association and other home care-focused organizations for more than 40 years. He is also founder and director of The Caring Institute, a non-profit organization that nationally recognizes stellar caring, integrity and public service.
Prior to NAHC, Halamandaris was on the House of Representatives Select Committee on Aging, where he was senior counsel and director of oversight.
Halamandaris won nationwide recognition for his role as a congressional investigator and his efforts to expose fraud against the elderly. He is best known for the hard-hitting congressional investigations he directed into insurance fraud, medical quackery, real estate fraud, nursing home abuse, and other scams victimizing the elderly.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Val Halamandaris, please contact Joe Clark at Rosica Strategic Public Relations.