Caregivers SALUTE TO
Sunday, December 27, 2020
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SALUTE TO CAREGIVERS
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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2020
Relationships: The New “Social Security” of the Future Did you know that by the year 2030, every Baby Boomer will be age 65 or older, meaning that 1 out of every 5 U.S. citizens will be of retirement age? The “good” news is that people are living longer. The “bad” news is that many will outlive their resources, not having enough money to last through retirement. More “bad” would also be that the current Social Security fund is being depleted. According to Forbes, for the first time ever, in 2020 Social Security began paying out more than it takes in. Based on current projections, at this rate Social Security will have insufficient funds to pay out promised benefits by the mid-to late 2030s. Business Insider points out another problem; that there will also be far more healthcare demand than supply in the future. This likely means healthcare costs will increase, and retirees on fixed incomes will need to adapt financially to escalating costs. In 2019, a Genworth study showed the average cost for higher levels of care in the U.S. ranged from $175-250 per day. They predicted that within five years, private rooms in nursing homes will average $10,000 plus per month. This equates to an annual cost of $120,000—for couples this is quarter of a million dollars yearly! They also pointed out that in the last 15 years, assisted living costs have increased 68.8%, and nursing home costs increased 56.8%. That’s why now, more than ever, older adults are researching their options to ensure they have enough to support themselves through their golden years, no matter what life throws at them. Many people have come to realize that staying in their home throughout retirement brings on too many uncertainties, like expensive maintenance repairs, drop in real estate values, and
stock market volatility – so they are opting for a change. Two Solutions Long-term care insurance is a consideration. However, for many, the price becomes costprohibitive or there is fear that the carrier may fail. According to The Wall Street Journal, some policy holders over the last two years have been hit by premium increases as much as 90%! Cahealthadvocates. org warns that some policyholders could have their lifetime benefits capped or be asked to pay insolvency surcharges passed along to them when their carrier is assessed by the state to help cover payouts for a bankrupt carrier. Retirement communities have stepped in to help. Some offer all-inclusive, maintenance-free living with a variety of amenities from dining, planned activities, wellness programs and access to higher levels of care when needed. Retirement Communities are usually categorized into either a Rental or Entrance Fee Community. Entrance Fee communities are often referred to as a CCRCs (Continuing Care Retirement Communities). In addition to the lifestyle and social benefits, entrance fee communities can provide residents with a more stable means of managing long term health care costs. When a person buys into an Entrance fee community and pays the monthly service fees, he or she is essentially paying up-front for their future health care services, from assisted living to nursing care, if needed. The higher levels of care are often located on the same campus to make the transition easier. In contrast, Rental retirement communities generally don’t have all levels of care on one campus and the monthly fee will increase more significantly as one needs more assistance. Some CCRCs take it a step
further with a protection plan called LifeCare. This program provides a way for to arrange for any future assisted living and skilled nursing care services while residents are still independent. LifeCare is very attractive to people who wish to protect their resources for the benefit of their heirs or charitable interests, and so that they don’t have to rely on family or a government program when they need care. A LifeCare plan may qualify for a deduction in itemized tax returns because the entrance fee and monthly fees may be deductible as a prepaid medical expense. LifeCare plans also work in conjunction with long-term care policies because LifeCare keeps your CCRC monthly fee predictable, while long-term care benefits are paid directly to policyholders. But, check with each company since not all offer true LifeCare. Considering the longevity of today’s retirees, dwindling Social Security, rising costs for healthcare and changes to
long-term care policies, now is the time to explore your retirement future and make a plan. Then you can relax and live a confident, healthy re-
tirement—no matter what! Article provided by Friendship Village
We’re
staying
strong str ong for
you.
We are thankful for the compassionate care our nurses, CNAs, and staff give every day. Their strength and energy inspires us to do our utmost to support them!
Waterloo, IA www.FriendshipVillageIowa.com
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We recognize how invaluable caregivers are. NEI3A can connect you with the supports you need to continue on your caregiv-
ing journey! Call us today at 1-800-779-8707.
Supporting You in Your Caregiving Journey
Photo provided by NEI3A
Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging prides itself on supporting families and friends that go the extra mile to be a “caregiver.� We know that as a caregiver, taking care of yourself and getting the help you need is imperative. Taking care of yourself means managing stress, maintaining healthy choices, asking for help, collaborating with other caregivers, and scheduling time for yourself. NEI3A constantly provides and updates supports and services to assist you. To help caregivers stay connected with their loved ones, NEI3A partners with GrandPads and connects through other technology platforms such as Facebook Live but also utilizes conference calls to provide education and support. We know that we need to constantly find new ways to connect with older persons and their caregivers to keep everyone safe. We are learning that we will keep
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many of these new communication techniques in place long after the pandemic. A support group provides a way to meet with other caregivers and avoid isolation and loneliness. While we cannot meet in person, we continue to provide our caregiver support groups through weekly conference/ Zoom calls to share your experiences and helpful resources with others going through the same experiences. We also offer a sup-
port group for grandparents who are raising grandchildren. Caregivers are also welcome to join our NEI3A Support Group Facebook page. Along with offering support groups, NEI3A can assist caregivers by connecting them with additional community resources such as respite care. Respite Care allows the caregiver a break in their caregiving duties to allow time to care for themselves.
Article provided by NEI3A
Helping you in your caregiving journey Join us for our weekly caregiver support group conference calls: Mondays: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Tuesdays: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Wednesdays: 10:00-11:00 a.m. Thursdays: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Grandparents Support Group: Mondays: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. To join any of these support groups call 1-800-264-8432 and use participant code 961847# For information to join by Zoom, call 1-800-779-8707.
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SALUTE TO CAREGIVERS
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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2020
Cedar Valley Hospice helps relieve caregiver stress When someone you love has a serious illness, the natural thing to do is to help them. You find yourself saying, “Sure, I’ll get you a glass of water,” and “Yes, I’ll call the doctor back.” As their health issues progress, so does the natural instinct to do more to help them. Before you know it, you are fatigued and may find your own health suffering. The truth is, if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t care well for your loved one. Getting help starts with having an honest conversation about your loved one’s healthcare options. Having a serious illness causes a number of stressors – for all involved, which is why a personalized healthcare plan from the experts at Cedar Valley Hospice can help. Not only can your loved one get the care they need in their own home or residence, but caregivers receive the much-needed breather from having to take it all on. A simple call to Cedar Valley Hospice can help you cope with an illness and provide education regarding treatment options. For Shirley Bonzer of Plainfield, making the call to Cedar Valley Hospice made all the difference. They came into her home and provided pain management and comfort care for her husband, Ron. She would be the first one to tell you that she thought she was handling it well – until she realized all the services offered. “I had been a Cedar Valley Hospice volunteer for 8
Accepting help is not always easy, but it will allow you to make the most out of the time you have with your loved one. Let the experts at Cedar Valley Hospice sup-
Last November, Cedar Valley Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Cortney Manning of Waverly, right, along with former Social Worker Katie Keller visited Shirley and Ron Bonzer to award Ron with a certificate of appreciation for volunteering for Cedar Valley Hospice. Ron was also receiving hospice services at the time, so they honored him with a handmade quilt, as we do with all patients. Unbeknownst to Cortney, Ron’s favorite color is blue because of the nickname “Blue” he was given by his co-workers when he worked at Carnation (Nestle) over 40 years ago. Ron was always full of jokes to share, and this day was no different. It was an especially important day for Katie, who was able to present this to her uncle, Ron, before he died on Nov. 10, 2019.
years so I’ve seen how they could help people,” said Shirley. “But I didn’t know until I called them to come, ALL of the services they were able to help us with. It enabled me to take care of Ron better and even relax some.” Shirley added that the nurse coming to the home teaching her helpful techniques for Ron was just what they needed. The nurse also helped with his medications. It saved her countless trips to the doctors’ offices. Like Shirley, many caregivers say that once they receive Cedar Valley Hospice services, they were able to just go back to being the “wife” again. Knowing you have the support of professionals allows family members to focus on Making Each Moment Matter. The team at Cedar Valley
Hospice offers a multitude of different experts: • Nurses to provide necessary care and help manage medication • Social Workers to answer tough questions • Aides to give do personal cares or light house work • Volunteers to provide camaraderie and raise spirits • Spiritual Care Counselors, Therapists and more At Cedar Valley Hospice, families receive care that encompasses the entire family. If you feel like you or your loved one is not ready for hospice, palliative care is another option for those with a serious illness. It offers similar services on a smaller scale, but ultimately provides peace of mind knowing the experts are “on top of it.”
port you as a caregiver and provide the highest quality care to your loved one. Article provided by Cedar Valley Hospice
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National Support Program The federally funded National Family Caregiver Support Program provides grants to states that pay for a variety of different support systems for people who are caring for family members, with the intention of avoiding caregiver burnout and helping older Americans stay in their homes as long as possible. This is good not only for the adults, who remain part of their social circle, but it also tends to cost less than putting people in group homes. According to the Administration for Community Living, the services include counseling, organizing support groups, caregiver training, respite care and supplemental services, as well as helping people access these and other services available through government programs and nonprofit organizations. These are not intended to be a full suite of services or provide full-time care, but can give caregivers a break or help fill specific needs. Studies have shown that such services help reduce depression, anxiety and stress among caregivers, as well as helping them provide care longer. Eligible caregivers include adult family members or other informal caregivers who provide care to individuals who are 60 years of age and older or who are providing care to people of any age with Alzheimer’s disease or other neurological disorders. Services also are
available to people who are 55 years or older and raising children who aren’t theirs or who are providing care to adults with disabilities. According to the ACL, about 700,000 caregivers received services in 2014, including more than 1.3 million contacts with caregivers to help connect them with services; peer support groups, counseling and training for more than 100,000 caregivers to help them cope with the stresses they’re feeling; and respite care of almost 6 million hours for more than 600,000 caregivers, offering relief from their caregiving responsibilities and allowing the caregivers time to take care of themselves. Almost three-fourths of caregivers who used the program said these services allowed them to provide care at home for longer than they could have otherwise. The services offered are different in each state, and not every caregiver will be eligible for all of the programs. Check with your state to see what specific services are available.
© ADOBE STOCK
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SALUTE TO CAREGIVERS
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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2020
Allen Hospital ER team reflects on 2020 As an emergency medicine physician, Dr. Will Fangman had just about seen it all. Then came 2020. Dr. Fangman and the rest of the team in the Allen Hospital Emergency Department have stood on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic to serve and protect their community. He recalls Fangman when treatment for COVID-19 symptoms occurred in a tent separate from the main hospital. He thinks back to making sure adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) was available. Jensson And even now, he and his team members are coming to terms with the fact that the virus is now part of everyday life. However, through it all, one thing has stood out – challenging situations often have a way of bringing people closer together. “What I’ve appreciated is that, even in a stressful environment, we’ve all come together and recognized the common goal,” said Dr. Fangman. “Relatively smoothly, we’ve addressed the pressing issues very effectively.” FRONT-LINE PERSPECTIVE Teamwork certainly makes things easier, but it doesn’t eliminate the fact that some days are going to be more difficult than others. Health care workers are in a position that sometimes shows them the worst of the worst, and
it’s hard to explain it to those who don’t experience it firsthand. It’s important to remember that health care workers are people, too, and what they experience has an effect on their daily lives. Joan Jensson is a registered nurse in the Allen Hospital Emergency Department, and coming to work each day comes with the knowledge that she is being given a unique point of view. “What you’re taking care of is hard for the patient, it’s hard for their family, it’s hard for us,” Jensson said. “When you go home, you’re kind of in your own world in a way. Your spouse can be supportive, but if you haven’t seen it firsthand, it’s hard to understand.” CONSTANT CHANGES The domino effect that a worldwide pandemic has on health care makes for an interesting case study. On one hand, some seek health care services to see if what they are experiencing is something serious. On the other hand, there is evidence that some have hesitated to seek treatment because of concerns about becoming infected. Add it up, and it creates additional challenges when trying to determine what to expect on any given day. “People are scared, which is understandable,” said Jensson. “And that’s not just COVID patients. People with heart problems, COPD, other disease, they may not come in right away because they don’t want to catch the virus. Those patients require more resources, and you just have to put on your running shoes because there are a lot of people who need to be taken care of.” Also evolving are CDC recommendations, infection prevention
Allen Hospital Emergency Department guidelines and the latest research on different therapies. While it takes a focused effort to stay on top of everything, the result is patients receiving the best care in the safest way possible. “With it becoming more of an everyday occurrence comes more patients who we are treating, which helps us treat them better because of a better understanding of how it presents and who might respond better to certain therapies,” said Dr. Fangman. HEALTH CARE HEROES Both Dr. Fangman and Jensson blushed when being called a health care hero. While taking action to save lives is part of the job description, Jensson explained that the weight of things she can’t do is also a factor at times. “It’s a very nice sentiment, but being called a hero is a lot. It’s my job and what I was called to do, so that’s what I do,” she said. “Some might think that we can work mir-
acles, but we can’t. I don’t have a cure, there’s no magic pill, I can’t just make people feel better. Yes, we can do amazing things, but there is a limit to that. So, it’s hard to think of myself as truly a hero.” While interpretation of heroism may be up for debate, it is clear the gratitude, appreciation and recognition health care workers have received from their community has played a significant role in keeping spirits up through difficult times. “I feel like I’m being appreciated. And that’s a good thing,” added Dr. Fangman. “It makes you feel like what you’re doing matters, what we’re doing is appreciated and people do look at us with an understanding that it’s a difficult time to be in health care. To a certain extent, it’s nice to know people recognize what we’re going through. At the same time, we’re all going through this together, and we just have a certain role.”
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CARE & COURAGE
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Always essential. Always heroic. As 2020 winds down, the important job of a caregiver never ends. It’s hard work that makes a difference each day. It takes grit to spend hours on your feet, wear layers of PPE, be tested often and meet other’s needs. It requires a soft heart and strong spirit. Cheers to you, caregivers, the unsung heroes of 2020.
Want to do this tough but important job? See our openings and apply today at WesternHomeCommunities.org/careers