Now that it's less than a week after the start of the New Year, we all might have fudged a bit on those earnest promises to ourselves. I sort of missed the full set of exercises I vowed to do each morning, but I had a good reason. Really.
Last year we helped a 96 year old WWII veteran obtain Aid and Attendance benefits for his wife and himself in an assisted living facility. That is a program that will help pay for care in a war time veterans own home, or in an assisted living facility. The maximum yearly benefit for a married veteran as of December 1, 2011 is $24,239, so that is a significant amount of aid.
A client’s son recently told me that he had a discussion with his mother on her wishes for a funeral. His mother was very explicit on her desires to keep costs down and told him nothing extravagant should be done. She finished by saying, “And have it on a Sunday so it will be half price.” Now, I have no idea if Sunday’s are half price bargains or even if services can be had, but in a somewhat amusing way his mother was making clear her wishes.
People plan for so many events in life - for college, buying a house, having children and retirement. Yet, too many seniors today find themselves facing long-term care issues with which they are unfortunately unprepared to handle.
Debbie turned the ringing alarm off. It was 6:00AM and time to get herself ready for the day. Her son would be there soon to help her shower and dress her husband, Jim. Her son came every day before work to help because Debbie, at 75 years old and suffering with arthritis, could not lift Jim out of bed or help him to the shower. This has been the daily routine since Jim’s stroke a year ago. When her son leaves for work, Debbie spends the day caring for Jim’s needs.
That old holiday song is coming around again, and so it is time again for some thoughts on visiting with elderly parents or grandparents. Enjoy the Thanksgiving turkey, but keep your eyes and ears open for some telltale signs that grandma may need some help in managing her daily life. Those signs may be as simple as letters and business correspondence scattered about in no sensible order. It may be late bills. It is often unopened correspondence.
