Author: Meghan Parsons

Funeral & cemetery arrangements: Why you should pre-plan

Posted on

gives you enhanced peace of mind knowing there will be adequate funds to cover funeral expenses and that your wishes, beliefs, and preferences will be met.

Thorough and careful pre-plan for your funeral, memorial service, cemetery and end-of life choices gives you enhanced peace of mind knowing there will be adequate funds to cover funeral expenses and that your wishes, beliefs, and preferences will be met. There are many benefits of the pre-plan and we have covered a few below.

Locking In Costs vs Inflated Costs:

Pre-planning and pre-funding generally ensures that your funeral and cemetery arrangements are completely paid for at today’s prices. The funeral and cemetery industry faces inflation, which drives costs up each year. National statistics show that cemetery and funeral costs are expected to double every 7-10 years. By pre-planning, you lock in today’s cost rather than forcing your family to pay inflated costs upon your passing.

Making Rational Decisions Together vs Emotional Decisions Alone:

Making these decisions ahead of time allows for more careful consideration of all the options in choosing the funeral and cemetery arrangements that are right for you and your family. Statistics show that more often than not, a widow is left to make these decisions in the worst time of his or her life, upon the loss of their best friend and life partner. These are not times that anyone should be making any kind of financial decision.

Telling Your Own Story vs Someone Telling  It For You:

Thoughtful pre-planning of your arrangements allows you to make choice based on your preferences. Making your wishes known in advance will reduce the number of decisions that your loved ones will have to make and may help make this time of loss less stressful.

Pay As Affordable vs  Cash Up Front:

Many people assume that savings or life insurance policies will cover the costs of one’s funeral and burial, but when a death occurs, these costs must be paid up front before services are rendered. Pre-planning allows you to pay as affordable with terms to meet your budget verses your family having to pay the entire amount at the time of your passing.

Peace of Mind:

Knowing that all of your affairs are in order will give your loved ones peace of mind. This peace of mind

Article Provided by:
Perl Funeral Home &
Siskiyou Memorial Park
541-772-5488
www.PerlFuneralHome.com

Search Retirement Connection Listings for Residential Care Facilities

Search Residential Care Facilities for Grants Pass
Search Residential Care Facilities for Klamath Falls
Search Residential Care Facilities for Medford
Search Residential Care Facilities for Roseburg

What is an Adult Family Care Home?

Posted on

Residential care is a term used to describe a home or community where an adult can live and receive care in a homelike setting.

If you or a loved one need more care than you can get at home it may be time to explore residential care. Residential care is a term used to describe a home or community where an adult can live and receive care in a homelike setting.  There are many residential care options that have become available over the last several years. Each type of residential care home offers different housing and care service options. It is important for families to understand the differences in available residential options. Decisions can then be made based on needs and preferences and what a particular residential care home offers.

An adult family home (AFH) is licensed to provide housing and care services for 2-6 adults in a regular home located in a residential neighborhood. The AFH may be run by a family, single person, or business partners. The Adult Family Home may also hire other employees. Some AFHs allow pets. In some homes, multiple languages are spoken.

In an adult family home staff assumes responsibility for the safety and well-being of the adult. A room, meals, laundry, supervision, and varying levels of assistance with care are provided. Some provide occasional nursing care. Some offer specialized care for people with mental health issues, developmental disabilities, or dementia.

Many consumers who choose an Adult Family Home do so because of the smaller more family like environment.  For some people the smaller amount of other residents and staff contributes to increased comfort level.  In an Adult Family Home space is more communal.  Residents may have their own bedroom but common space such as living room, dining room, kitchen, and often bathrooms will be shared.  For this reason, it’s important to not only choose an AFH that offers the appropriate care services, but also one that fits the individual’s personality.

An assisted living facility (ALF) is licensed to provide housing and care services to seven or more people in a home or facility located in a residential neighborhood.  Like an adult family home, assisted living facilities provide housing and meals as well as assuming general responsibility for the safety and care of the resident.

The additional services offered are different for each home and may include:

  •  Varying levels of assistance with personal care.
  • Intermittent nursing care (a nurse available on a part-time basis).
  • Assistance with or administering of medications.

Adult family care homes are each unique as the residents they serve. Visit with the owners, staff and other residents to find your perfect fit for care and social concerns.

Article Provided by:
Virginia Yanos RN, MS
425-971-9342
www.ABeautifulLiving.com

Search Retirement Connection Listings for Residential Care Facilities

Search Residential Care Facilities for Grants Pass
Search Residential Care Facilities for Klamath Falls
Search Residential Care Facilities for Medford
Search Residential Care Facilities for Roseburg

Volunteering: Making a difference at any age

Posted on

Studies have shown that volunteerism can contribute to living longer and that it improves overall brain function.

It is never easy in life to make a transition from one home to another and making the decision to move to an active living or assisted living community can be even more challenging. One of the primary concerns seniors have about moving into an active or assisted living community is that they’ll become disconnected from the community, activities, and causes they care about most. But the truth is, active and assisted living communities provide the perfect setting for building coalitions, forming outreach task forces, and planning benefits for the communities and the causes that matter to you.

It is extremely important for all of us to remain connected to the people, communities, traditions, and causes that we each find most important to us. This could be anything from volunteering at your local church or food bank to organizing fundraisers for local causes, the options really are limitless. One of our favorite residents reads books to kindergarten children at a local school every week – fantastic intergenerational work! If you are someone who is heavily engaged in your local community and causes and if you’re also considering retirement or assisted living, we recommend looking into active living communities that encourage engagement and foster socially responsible outreach and activities. The right active lifestyle community for you should offer you plenty of opportunities to stay involved with your community and the causes that matter most to you. When individuals strive for something bigger than themselves it builds self-worth and creates senior leaders and advocates who make invaluable contributions to their surrounding communities.

All of us can deeply improve our quality of life by volunteering. Studies have shown that volunteerism can contribute to living longer and that it improves overall brain function. All ages benefit from this approach, not to mention active volunteering can be a great exercise too! So, it turns out that volunteering is not only the socially responsible thing to do, but it’s actually mentally and physically good for you, not to mention it’s great for your community as well.

So what’s stopping you now? Get out there and make a difference today!

Article Provided by:
David Haack
Living Care Lifestyles
425-689-5694
www.QuailParkOfLynnwood.com

Search Retirement Connection Listings for Residential Care Facilities

Search Residential Care Facilities for Grants Pass
Search Residential Care Facilities for Klamath Falls
Search Residential Care Facilities for Medford
Search Residential Care Facilities for Roseburg

Purses & keys

Posted on

I retain vivid memories of my visits to Ohio to discuss mother’s care levels and needs with my older sister, where one of the challenges involved keys.

As I was fumbling for my keys to unlock the door I thought about my mother. I retain vivid memories of my visits to Ohio to discuss mother’s care levels and needs with my older sister, where one of the challenges involved keys. One specific issue – car keys – is no surprise. Keys now have a habit of triggering these reflections.

There are lots of things that bring back memories of mother. I often chuckle at her sayings depending on the situation. Her little lines would pop out predictably and automatically but we never got tired of hearing them. At the mention of the word wait, she would say “Weights what broke the wagon down.” If we were trying to find something and she would spot it in front of us, out would come, “If it were a snake it’d bite you.”  She had so many more. These were common sayings among her generation, the ones who were born in the first part of the last century and spent a lot of time on front porches and around kitchen tables.

I sometimes get angry with myself for the earlier days when I didn’t have a full appreciation of the stories. There were times when I would hear a little inner voice saying “Here it comes again” as the situation and the opening lines would provide a clear signal for the story that was about to be told. I was foolish of course, reacting solely to the lines being spoken out loud rather than listening for the deeper meaning that was coming from their hearts. This was  “oral tradition” being presented right before my very eyes. They were preserving our family culture.

Mother loved to drive. It was her primary means to assert her independence. Many signs pointed out that allowing her to drive was no longer a good idea. The risks to her and everyone else on the roads were becoming too great. Getting those keys away from her was not an easy task. The simple truth is, she was not about to give up the keys. They had to be taken away with gentle but firm persuasion.

The purse was the next major piece of her personal property that had to be gently taken away. I don’t know if we actually do comprehend just how important a purse is to a woman. In time though, even the purse had to go as she had eventually lost the capacity to discern the uses for its contents and might have injured herself with some of the items. Getting the purse away was harder than the keys.  Right to the end, the one thing she would remember to do was get after my sister for “taking away my purse.”

These are the things I think about every so often when I fumble for my keys. While I can still remember which one to use for my front door, I need to also remember to tell stories. I owe this to my children. It was an invaluable gift from my parents and it is one of the most important gifts that we pass on from generation to generation.

Article Provided by:
Madison House family member
Madison House Independent & Assisted Living
425-821-8210
www.MadisonHouseKirkland.com

Search Retirement Connection Listings for Residential Care Facilities

Search Residential Care Facilities for Grants Pass
Search Residential Care Facilities for Klamath Falls
Search Residential Care Facilities for Medford
Search Residential Care Facilities for Roseburg

Retirement choices for veterans in Puget Sound

Posted on

Many retired officers and veterans choose to live in civilian neighborhoods and housing, but when the time is right, there are many housing options available for retired veterans to consider.

The Puget Sound area is home to many retired veterans.  There are many reasons why veterans choose to retire here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Joint Base Lewis McChord, the temperate winters, the pristine scenery, and many advantageous tax benefits have combined to present an attractive package to retirees. Many retired officers and veterans choose to live in civilian neighborhoods and housing, but when the time is right, there are many housing options available for retired veterans to consider.

Many retired veterans choose to reside at civilian retirement communities and assisted living and memory care communities. There are many wonderful options in the Puget Sound area and depending on the specific needs of each veteran these can be wonderful choices.  Civilian assisted living and memory
care communities are not affiliated with the VA.

Some veterans choose a retirement community that specializes in serving the retired military community.  Residents may enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow veterans along with added benefits such as close associations with military bases and VA hospitals and veteran-focused transportation and activity programs.

For veterans who need a higher level of care, many community Nursing Homes offer Veterans a place to live
and receive skilled nursing care 24/7. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contracts with nursing homes across the country to care for Veterans. Other services include onsite occupational and physical therapy, access to social services, short-term rehab, and dementia care. The VA will often pay for Nursing Home care if you meet eligibility criteria involving your service connected status, level of disability, age, and income.

Certain VA benefit programs such as “Aid and Attendance” will also pay for assisted living services and memory care services depending on eligibility.

VA benefits can be extraordinarily complex, so consider speaking with a Veteran Services Officer (VSO). Veteran Services Officers volunteer throughout the United States, frequently at hubs for veterans like American Legion halls or Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) lodges. You can also locate a VA accredited attorney or VSO/Benefits representative here: http://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/

As a veteran, you have a unique story and it makes a lot of sense to speak with a knowledgeable advisor, take a tour of your local communities and resources for retired military personnel, and plan ahead to make sure that your retirement is everything that you want it to be.

Article Provided by:
Susan Fine, Director of Marketing
Patriot’s Landing Retirement Community
877-964-4900
www.PatriotsLanding.com

Search Retirement Connection Listings for Residential Care Facilities

Search Residential Care Facilities for Grants Pass
Search Residential Care Facilities for Klamath Falls
Search Residential Care Facilities for Medford
Search Residential Care Facilities for Roseburg

CCRCs are now called “Life Plan Communities”

Posted on

It’s no surprise they’re revolutionizing (CCRCs) retirement and reinventing themselves and the senior living field.

Since they were teens, the boomers have done things differently. So it’s no surprise they’re revolutionizing retirement (CCRCs) and reinventing themselves and the senior living field. To meet the needs of this generation senior living communities have transformed from care providers into vibrant villages offering a range of residential options along with new opportunities for creative, educational and personal exploration. Clearly, the name Continuing Care Retirement Community no longer describes the vibrant, forward-looking nature of the contemporary senior living community, which is really
a Life Plan Community.

On November 1, 2015, at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting in Boston, the task force that led the initiative to develop a new category name for Continuing Care Retirement Community (“CCRC”) announced its recommendation that communities adopt the term “Life Plan Community” as the new descriptor.

For many years a significant number of CCRCs have been concerned that the very category name used to describe them actually limits consumer interest. In particular, the terms “continuing care” and “retirement” were perceived to have negative connotations among potential residents leaving them with the impression that communities were only for people that need care and thus are for older, less healthy people. The potential truth of this is evidenced by the continuing increase in the average age of people moving to CCRCs over the last decade. Many communities and organizations have stopped referring to themselves as Continuing Care Retirement Communities altogether, developing their own alternative wording to describe the lifestyle benefits their communities offer.

The goal was to develop a name and compelling messaging to engage those older adults who will be seeking services during the next decade and to encourage prospects to enter CCRCs at a younger age. The name change from CCRC to Life Plan Community switches the emphasis from passive care to active living and planning—a shift that appeals to younger, healthier senior adults.

The agencies and research firms serving on the NameStorm Task Force worked closely together for two years to explore the viability of the existing category name (Continuing Care Retirement Community or CCRC) among key audiences and to generate and evaluate alternative names. The process involved more than 4,350 consumers and over a hundred CCRC operators. The same rigor was applied to the vetting process and to trademark and legal analysis which culminated with the selection of Life Plan Community as the new category name.

Article Provided by:
LeadingAge
www.LifePlanCommunity.org

Search Retirement Connection Listings for Residential Care Facilities

Search Residential Care Facilities for Grants Pass
Search Residential Care Facilities for Klamath Falls
Search Residential Care Facilities for Medford
Search Residential Care Facilities for Roseburg

Why work with an Eldercare Consultant?

Posted on

The right eldercare consultant can educate, guide, protect, and simplify your search providing you with the right options for you.

Would you go to court without an attorney? Into surgery without a good surgeon? Purchase a home without a realtor?  Exploring the vast world of long term care and senior housing options can be equally overwhelming. The right eldercare consultant can educate, guide, protect, and simplify your search providing you with the right options for you or your loved one’s unique needs.

In Washington State, eldercare consultants may be called by many names: Eldercare Consultant, Senior Advisor, Referral Agent, and Placement Agent are a few. Reputable agents understand their responsibilities and legal requirements under Washington State’s Elder and Vulnerable Adult Referral Agency Act RCW 18.330.

A qualified eldercare consultant can answer questions such as:

  • What’s the difference between an assisted living and an adult family home?
  • What types of rehabilitation services are available? What does “short-term rehab” mean?
  • What is “respite”?
  • What types of care and how much care can be provided at home?
  • What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
  • What options will your long term care insurance policy cover?
  • What happens at the end of a hospitalization or rehab stay when discharge is imminent?
  • What resources are available to pay for services? Who is going to pay for what?
  • When choosing an eldercare consultant the following should be taken into consideration:
  • Are they local or part of a larger company? Do they work alone or are they part of a team?
  • What is their background?  How many years have they been working with families in long term care? Do they have related certifications or degrees?
  • How are they paid? Do they charge an hourly rate or more typically, are they free to seniors and their families as they are paid a referral fee from care providers?
  • How many care providers/properties are they contracted with?
  • Have they personally toured the properties they refer to? Can they tell you if the properties have any enforcement actions?

A professional eldercare consultant will answer your questions regarding costs and explain how care is paid for as well as what type of financial resources may be available. They will guide you through the clinical process from hospitalization and a stay in a rehabilitation facility, and advocate for your loved one’s personal preferences and desires. They will narrow your search from potentially hundreds of care options to those that make the most sense for your personal situation.

Article Provided by:
Graham & Graham Eldercare Consultants LLC
888-217-1655
www.GrahamandGrahamEC.com

Search Retirement Connection Listings for Residential Care Facilities

Search Residential Care Facilities for Grants Pass
Search Residential Care Facilities for Klamath Falls
Search Residential Care Facilities for Medford
Search Residential Care Facilities for Roseburg

How to help a grieving friend

Posted on

While you can’t take away the pain of the loss, you can give much-needed comfort and support just by keeping in touch and listening when they want to talk.

What can I do to help the family/loved ones of the deceased? The first few months following a death are a time when grieving friends and relatives need you most. Let them know that your support did not end with the funeral. While talking to someone in a state of grief can be uncomfortable, don’t let discomfort prevent you from reaching out. You might not know exactly what to say or what to do, but that’s okay. You don’t need to have answers or give advice. While you can’t take away the pain of the loss, you can give much-needed comfort and support just by keeping in touch and listening when they want to talk.

It’s difficult for many grieving people to ask for help. They might feel guilty about receiving so much attention, or may be too depressed to ask for help. You can make it easier for them by making specific suggestions such as “I’m going shopping this afternoon. Do you need anything?” or “I’ve made stew for dinner. I’d like to drop by and bring you some. Would that be okay?”

There are many other practical ways you might be able to help, such as:

  • Filling out forms or making phone calls
  • Helping clean out their loved one’s closet
  • Running errands
  • Driving them to an appointment
  • Taking them for a walk
  • Inviting them to lunch or a movie
  • Spending time together doing a fun activity (card game, puzzle, art project)

You can also give an open invitation by saying, “Let me know what I can do,” which may make a grieving person feel more comfortable about asking for help. Be careful not to be pushy. Allow them to decide what’s best for them. Never pressure someone into an activity for which they don’t feel ready. In the weeks and months after the loss, you may feel you should avoid using the name of the deceased so you don’t cause any more sadness. This is not necessary, family and friends need to know their loved one is still remembered. By mentioning the name you’ll let them know they’re on your mind too and create an opening if they want to talk.

Be aware that certain events and days of the year like holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries, can be very difficult, so be sensitive to these times. Let the person know you are aware of the special day and that you’re thinking of them. Ask whether they’d like company or prefer to be alone. It’s thoughtful acts like this that let them know they’re not alone.

The pain of losing someone close never goes away, but the love and support of friends and family can make it more bearable and even help them move on.

Article Provided by:
Mountain View Funeral Home,
Memorial Park & Crematory
253-448-3994
www.MountainViewTacoma.com

Search Retirement Connection Listings for Residential Care Facilities

Search Residential Care Facilities for Grants Pass
Search Residential Care Facilities for Klamath Falls
Search Residential Care Facilities for Medford
Search Residential Care Facilities for Roseburg

What seniors should know: Managing personal property

Posted on

Seniors who downsize, reorganize, move or sell personal property have a lot of decisions to make and any of these can quickly become a daunting prospect.

Seniors who downsize, reorganize, move or sell personal property have a lot of decisions to make and any of these activities can quickly become a daunting prospect. There are plenty of companies offering services to assist. Here are some insights into how to assess what is right for your needs.

Moving Property

It seems as we grow older moving gets more complicated as we have more “stuff” to move as the years go by. Move management services helps reduce stress and lower moving costs. These services typically include a move plan, packing, unpacking, decluttering, and the sale, donation or dispersal of unwanted property.

What to look for:

Look for companies that have a high standard of service, solid reputation and good referrals. Companies should have regular W-2 employees who are trained and fully background checked. Companies should also possess liability insurance, worker’s comp and offer reliable pricing and project estimating tools to protect your budget. Services should be hired under contractual agreement and fees and payments should be discussed prior to any work being done. Van lines, or those who actually transport your property, have their own set of regulations. You can find out how to avoid common moving scams through the government’s “Protect Your Move” program.

Organizing or Downsizing Property

Professional organizing is a growing industry. Certified Relocation and Transition Specialists have this training.

What to look for:

Similar to moving services above, families should look for companies with good reputations and referrals, as well as fully trained, insured and vetted employees.

Selling Property

Families are subject to the most risk when hiring companies to help with their liquidation services. The liquidation industry accounts for hundreds of thousands in annual revenues but remains largely unregulated.

What to look for:

Again, seek companies with employees who are trained, vetted and insured. Estate sale companies should be willing to disclose all fees up front and contract through formal, written agreement. Find out in advance which services will be included. All in all, you want a company who will provide project management, organizing, sorting, merchandising, fixtures, advertising, labor, security the day of the sale and who will  “broom sweep” the home after the sale. You should receive an invoice explaining profit and costs after the sale.

Plan Ahead In many cases, projects related to personal property start out small and then seem to increase in size and complexity.  Planning ahead and understanding your final objective may help families avoid being overwhelmed.

Article Provided by:
Caring Transitions
844-220-5427
www.CaringTransitions.com

Search Retirement Connection Listings for Residential Care Facilities

Search Residential Care Facilities for Grants Pass
Search Residential Care Facilities for Klamath Falls
Search Residential Care Facilities for Medford
Search Residential Care Facilities for Roseburg

Power of Attorney or Guardianship: The power of choice

Posted on

Guardianship can be imposed when choices have not been made prior to disability or incapacity.

Guardianship can be imposed when choices have not been made prior to disability or incapacity. The Superior Court and a Court appointed Guardian take your power away. Your power to make choices is gone. To start the process toward making your own decisions, the first document you should sign is a Power of Attorney.

A “Durable Power of Attorney” is a powerful document.  By executing this document, you are granting another person the power to make decisions for you when you are no longer able to handle your medical or financial matters due to disability or incapacity. Individuals of all ages need a Power of Attorney since you never know when an accident or disability will occur. The power can be broad and cover many different areas such as “all medical needs” or “all financial matters” or it can be narrow and cover only “the sale of a home or car” or “making decisions for my minor child”. The power is usually without limitation, but you can choose to limit the powers you grant to someone else. One way to limit the powers is to limit when the Power of Attorney takes effect, either immediately or upon your disability. The powers you grant under a Power of Attorney last even if you become incapacitated.  This is expressed by the word “durable” in the title and in special wording in the document. As the person who signs the Power of Attorney, you can choose how much or how little power you want to give away. It is your choice.

Due to the increased HIPAA rules on medical privacy and the financial regulations, banks and hospitals want some type of document nominating or appointing someone to act in your behalf.   These could be a Power of Attorney or a Guardian. If you have chosen not to execute a Power of Attorney and you become disabled or incapacitated, the State of Washington, through their Superior Courts, will appoint a Guardian over you to manage your financial and medical needs. You may or may not have
a choice in the appointment. The costs
of a Guardianship are high and the person needing the Guardianship usually pays the costs.

If a Guardianship is ordered for you, you can lose some or all of these powers:  the power to vote; marry or divorce; to make or revoke a will; to enter into a contract, to buy, sell, own, mortgage, or lease property; to possess a license to drive;
to consent to or refuse medical treatment; to decide who shall provide care and assistance; and to make decisions regarding social aspects of your life.
You lose the power to control your life under a Guardianship. You lose your power of choice.

The choice is yours. Power of Attorney or Guardianship? You take charge of your life and execute a Power of Attorney so you can choose your attorney-in-fact and grant them the powers you think they will need. If you delay, the State chooses for you. The power is yours to choose.

Article Provided by:
Rehmke & Flynn PLLC
Tacoma: 253-460-3190
Seattle: 206-330-0608
www.RehmkeandFlynn.com

Search Retirement Connection Listings for Residential Care Facilities

Search Residential Care Facilities for Grants Pass
Search Residential Care Facilities for Klamath Falls
Search Residential Care Facilities for Medford
Search Residential Care Facilities for Roseburg