Be Responsive to Change

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”
~ Charles Darwin

In today’s social media and web filled world, the business climate seems to change faster than ever before. It becomes increasingly important to stay abreast of emerging technology, business protocols and best practices. Be willing to learn new things, and be willing to change what you thought you already mastered.
~ Amy

Good is the Enemy of Great

“Good is the enemy of great and that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great.”
~ Jim Collins (from the book, Good to Great)

I see people and business settle for “doing a good job”, when a great job was very possible and achievable. It is hard to push forth with the extra effort when good seems to be an acceptable standard. Push yourself to find greatness. Greatness in performance, in resources, in technology, in communication, in follow through. Don’t settle on being good when great is possible.
~ Amy

Be a Dreamer

“All successful men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose.”
~ Brian Tracy

Success is not simply given to us and will not suddenly sneak up on us. It starts out as a dream that we combine with a plan of action. If you can dream of your success, then it’s likely to happen.
(~ commentary this month from Meghan, not Amy)

Creating Magic

I have loved this book, written by a former Disney Executive, and continue to reread it. I am learning that great leadership isn’t about mastering impossibly complex management theories. We can become better leaders by infusing quality, character, courage, enthusiasm, and integrity into our workplace and into our lives. It doesn’t happen all at once and takes a great deal of consistent effort and WORK, but gradually the Magic begins to happen.
~ Amy

A Life Well Lived

“At the end of the day, I will ask myself- did I love enough, did I laugh enough, did I make a difference?”
~ Unknown

Last month we lost a great friend and colleague when Jim Miller of Golden Harvest Music passed away. I continue to be touched as his name reappears in so many conversations that are not remotely related to his direct business. His contributions continue to unfold and be seen- this was a life well lived! At the end of the day- he loved enough, laughed enough and definitely made a difference. I hope to do the same.
~ Amy

Understanding Long Term Care

Awareness Campaign – What is Long-Term Care?

Long-term care is a variety of services and supports to meet health or personal care needs over an extended period of time. Most long-term care is non-skilled personal care assistance, such as help performing everyday Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), which are:

  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Using the toilet
  • Transferring (to or from bed or chair)
  • Caring for incontinence and
  • Eating

The goal of long-term care services is to help you maximize your independence and functioning at a time when you are unable to be fully independent.

Who Needs Long-Term Care?

Long-term care is needed when you have a chronic illness or disability that causes you to need assistance with Activities of Daily Living. Your illness or disability could include a problem with memory loss, confusion, or disorientation. (This is called Cognitive Impairment and can result from conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.)

This year, about 9 million Americans over the age of 65 will need long-term care services. By 2020, that number will increase to 12 million. While most people who need long-term care are age 65 or older, a person can need long-term care services at any age. Forty (40) percent of people currently receiving long-term care are adults 18 to 64 years old.

What Are My Risks of Needing Long-Term Care?

About 60 percent of individuals over age 65 will require at least some type of long-term care services during their lifetime. Over 40 percent will need care in a nursing home for some period of time. Factors that increase your risk of needing long-term care are:

  • Age – The risk generally increases as you get older.
  • Marital Status – Single people are more likely to need care from a paid provider.
  • Gender – Women are at a higher risk than men, primarily because they tend to live longer.
  • Lifestyle – Poor diet and exercise habits can increase your risk.
  • Health and Family History – also impact your risk.

How Much Care Might I Need?

It is difficult to predict how much or what type of care any one person might need. On average, someone age 65 today will need some long-term care services for three years. Service and support needs vary from one person to the next and often change over time. Women need care for longer (on average 3.7 years) than do men (on average 2.2 years). While about one-third of today’s 65-year-olds may never need long-term care services, 20 percent of them will need care for more than five years.

If you need long-term care, you may need one or more of the following:

  • Services at your home from a nurse, home health/home care aide, therapist, or homemaker;
  • Care in the community; and/or
  • Care in any of a variety of long-term facilities.

Generally you pay a provider for these services. But most people receiving paid services in their home or community need to supplement these services with help from family and friends.

How Do Care Needs Change Over Time?

Many people who need long-term care develop the need for care gradually. They may begin needing care only a few times a week or one or two times a day, for example, help with bathing or dressing. Care needs often progress as you age or as your chronic illness or disability become more debilitating, causing you to need care on a more continual basis, for example help using the toilet or ongoing supervision because of a progressive condition such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Some people need long-term care in a facility for a relatively short period of time while they are recovering from a sudden illness or injury, and then may be able to be cared for at home. Others may need long-term care services on an on-going basis, for example someone who is disabled from a severe stroke. Some people may need to move to a nursing home or other type of facility-based setting for more extensive care or supervision if their needs can no longer be met at home.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information. www.LongTermCare.gov
Provided by: The Staff at www.RetirementConnection.com
Copyright © 2008 RetirementConnection.com. All rights reserved.

Aid and Attendance and Household Benefits

Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound benefits are a benefit paid in addition to monthly pension. This benefit may not be paid without eligibility to pension. A veteran may be eligible for A&A when:

  • The veteran requires the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting himself/herself from the hazards of his/her daily environment, OR,
  • The veteran is bedridden, in that his/her disability or disabilities requires that he/she remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment, OR,
  • The veteran is a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, OR,
  • The veteran is blind, or so nearly blind as to have corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.

Housebound is paid in addition to monthly pension. Like A&A, Housebound benefits may not be paid without eligibility to pension. A veteran may be eligible for Housebound benefits when:

  • The veteran has a single permanent disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling AND, due to such disability, he/she is permanently and substantially confined to his/her immediate premises, OR,
  • The veteran has a single permanent disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling AND, another disability, or disabilities, evaluated as 60 percent or more disabling.

A veteran cannot receive both Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits at the same time.

How to Apply for Aid and Attendance and Housebound:

  • You may apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by writing to the VA Regional office having jurisdiction of the claim. That would be the office where you filed a claim for pension benefits. If the regional office of jurisdiction is not known, you may file the request with any VA regional office.
  • You should include copies of any evidence, preferably a report from an attending physician validating the need for Aid and Attendance or Housebound type care.
  • The report should be in sufficient detail to determine whether there is disease or injury producing physical or mental impairment, loss of coordination, or conditions affecting the ability to dress and undress, to feed oneself, to attend to sanitary needs, and to keep oneself ordinarily clean and presentable.
  • In addition, it is necessary to determine whether the claimant is confined to the home or immediate premises.
  • Whether the claim is for Aid and Attendance or Housebound, the report should indicate how well the individual gets around, where the individual goes, and what he or she is able to do during a typical day.

Source: United States Department of Veterans Affairs, February 2008. www.va.gov
Provided by: The Staff at www.RetirementConnection.com
Copyright © 2008 RetirementConnection.com. All rights reserved.