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Respite Care in Orlando

Respite care services in Orlando is always a topic of conversation at our Florida Home Companion Maitland office.  We have husbands, wives, children etc. call in for their loved ones needed just a little time off for themselves or to go on vacation but who know they can’t leave their loved ones unattended for even a few days.

Respite care for the elderly can be challenging.  You may want to put your loved one in a rehab-facility or a nursing-home or assisted-living someone nearby your home or nearby where they live.  However, they may not be up for the move…even though it would just be a temporary respite care in Florida.  You may find that your loved one is too fragile for even a temporary relocation.

When you think of respite care in Florida…are you thinking of care in your home or in the home of your loved one?  This can be an ideal easy situation for respite care for the elderly.  Orlando is one of those places also where you have family and friends who come and visit.  However, can you get away for a couple days or even one whole day?

Florida Home Companion services is happy to provide respite care Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Dr. Philips, Altamonte Springs, Windermere, Lake Nona and the rest of Central Florida.

Please let us know at Florida Home Companion how we can help with your respite care needs.

Florida Home Companion 407-478-5469.

 

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Family Matters Senior Care

 

You may have hear the new series on NPR.org called Family Matters
http://www.npr.org/series/150002308/family-matters
.  This series is really a sign of our unfortunate times we live in and trying to balance everything in our lives.  But the most important section of our lives to balance is family and how to deal with aging parents.  In Central Florida and in all of the Orlando area, we constantly encounter these difficult issues with our clients and their families.  We see disputes over care, we see disputes over money, and the results are often hurtful to our clients and their loved ones.  Planning ahead and having a plan does make a huge difference.  Take a look or a listen to these articles and your loved ones will thank you for it

Elder care Central Florida

Caring for your parents in your home

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Caregiving for your loved ones the new normal for Boomers, CNN article

CNN had a very interesting article on Babyboomers and how their parents are moving back in with them.  http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/09/living/baby-boomer-caregivers/index.html?hpt=hp_c1.  I think you’ll find it interesting to read.  Many of our clients we care for in the Orlando area, are in this boat.  In Central Florida, this is typically a younger demographic than in other parts of our state, however, that means that instead of the Baby Boomer’s parents living in an assisted living facility, they often will move back in with their children so that their children can take care of them and use the money they would have spent on a facility, for some private home care.  This gives them more flexibility with their dollars, save money, and get more personalized care.

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Home Health Agency in Orlando

Finding the right Home Health Agency in Orlando

 

Home Health Agencies in Orlando provide an important function in the health care system. It is a broad term actually describing two different types of  care.  The first is one prescribed by your doctor.  These are agencies that typically send out skilled care, nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists, and home health aids to assist with bathing to individual’s homes or in a facility.  However, there are different types of companies that provide this function and home health agencies only refers to a specific level of care that is provided.  Most of these agencies are paid for with insurance, Medicaid or Medicare dollars.   Home Health agencies also will only provide care for a set period of time which either the government or the insurance company are willing to pay for the bill.  Often, this is less time than the patient really requires in order to continue to heal and get better or maintain status quo.

The second type is a private pay agency.  These agencies typically provide help with making meals, a bath everyday (whereas the medicare/insurance might only bath twice a week), tiding up the home, transporting to doctors appointments or running errands, grooming etc.  When searching for a home health agency in the Orlando area you have to ask what services they provide because not all of them have the same focus.  You might not want or need an agency with a Home Health Agency designation after all because another type of agency might be what your loved one requires.  Similar agencies that provide senior assistance in the home are Nurse Registries and Homemaker Companion Care Agencies.  Be sure to note that only a Licensed Home Health Agency (HHA STATE LICENSE) or a Nurse Registry (NR STATE LICENSE) can legally bathe, assist in transferring, and provide hands-on care for patients.  A Homemaker Companion (HC STATE LICENSE) cannot legally provide hands-on care in the state of Florida.  You also want to make sure they have C.N.A.’s to do the work.  This is the only license which has a uniform education for the state of Florida and the caregiver must pass a Florida State exam.  They are also required to refresher courses and courses on different medical subjects called CEU’s and those must be fulfilled every couple of years.  Many times, you have to call a few different home health agencies to figure out the right fit for what you’re looking for.  It is important to remember that the phrase Home Health Agency is widely used, but it is only one function of the healthcare system and many times it describes agencies that focus more on specific types of care, and not necessarily an agency that provides care that helps people live better at home.

Please let us at Florida Home Companion know how we can assist you and your loved ones with any home health needs in Central Florida.  Please call Florida Home Companion at 407-478-5469.

 

 

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Discounts for Orlando Seniors

Senior Discounts

(If you’re not a senior, please pass this on to someone who is!)

Orlando Area Seniors Shopping Discounts

This list may not only be useful for you, your friends and family, but it might also be appreciated by your clients. You might consider sending them an e-mail about it and link to our site in the e-mail, or maybe include it in your newsletter.

Dunkin Donuts gives free coffee to people over 55. If you’re paying for a cup every day, you might want to start getting it for free.

Restaurants

Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby’s: 10% off (55+)
Ben & Jerry‘s: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan’s: discount varies by location
Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Captain D’s Seafood: discount varies on location (62+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
CiCi’s Pizza: 0% off (60+)
Culver’s: 10% off (60+)
Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off (55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
Long John Silver’s: various discounts at participating locations (55+)
McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney’s: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off (55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)

Retail And Apparel

Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
Big Lots: 10% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
Clarks: 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 20% off (50+)
Kohl‘s: 15% off (60+)
Modell‘s Sporting Goods: 10% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
Stein Mart:: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)
T.J. Maxx 10% off every Monday for 55+

Grocery

Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
Fry’s Supermarket: free Fr’ s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

Travel

Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
Alamo: up to 25% off for AARP members
American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Best Western: 10% off (55+)
Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Activities And Entertainment

AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 30% off
Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

Cell Phone Discounts

AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

Miscellaneous

Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)
Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)

I have already been told that A&P supermarkets offers 5% off to people over 55 every Tuesday. If you know of any other senior deals that aren’t on the list, please let me know.

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Senior Care at Home in Orlando

Senior Care at Home

As the current generations age, if it is at all possible they’d rather stay home instead. When your loved ones remain right at home, they feel the most comfortable. However, the family caregivers sometimes are the only comfort keepers for their loved ones. They provide full time care 24 hours a day right at home. Instead of hiring someone, loved ones often try to do everything themselves in an effort to save money or to really give their all to their spouses, parents or grandparents. Yet, they are at the same time draining themselves because no one can assist with all daily living activities, and work full time, and take care of themselves, and their kids, and other commitments. It is best to hire an outside caregiver for senior care at home instead of trying to spread yourself too thin.

Senior care at home even for just a few hours a week makes a huge difference. Imagine if your laundry is done, your loved one has been bathed, and the meals are made, the time you can spend together is much more enjoyable and less work. Or if you need senior care at home for yourself, you’ll live longer, live better and right at home.

For more questions on senior care at home, please contact Florida Home Companion at 407-478-5469.

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VETERANS PENSION BENEFITS RULES FOR AID AND ATTENDANCE QUALIFICATION ORLANDO

VETERANS PENSION BENEFITS
RULES FOR AID AND ATTENDANCE QUALIFICATION

When looking for Senior Long term Care for your Veterans, it is very difficult to figure out what exactly are their benefits. Long-term care for Veterans in the Orlando area works the same as it does every where else, but there are always a good amount of Veteran retirees in Orlando so this information is always good to have on hand. Finding out what kind of care is available can be a small battle in itself so below is a very general breakdown of some of the Rules for Aid and Attendance Qualifications, documents needed to apply, and some of the benefits for 2012.

RULES FOR AID AND ATTENDANCE QUALIFICATION

The War Veteran – Must have served 90 consecutive days on active military duty with one day during a war period. Must have received a better than dishonorable discharge.

The Surviving Spouse- Must not have divorced the Veteran or remarried after the Veteran’s death.

The Claimant (Veteran or Surviving Spouse)- Must be certified by a doctor as needing assistance with daily living activities.

The Household- Must meet the VA Allowabel Countable Assets threshold. The Adjusted Household Income (gross household income lss unreimbursed recurring medical expenses) must be less than the Benefit.

With proper planning, a Veteran or Surviving Spouse can qualify for Aid and Attendance. This benefit will help pay for medical care and postpone the depletion of assets. If you know a war veteran who meets the service requirements or a surviving spouse of a war veteran, then tell them about Aid and Attendance.

Documents Need to Apply

Discharge/Separation papers (DD-214)
Marriage Certificate
Birth Certificate
Death Certificate
Copy of Social Security award letter
Proof of assets including bank accounts, CDs, trusts, stocks, bonds, annuities, and more
Proof of income from pensions, retirement, income from investments, annuities, and more
Proof of unreimbursed medical expenses, insurance premiums, other care
Physician statement including current diagnosis, medical status, prognosis and more

Recommended Important Documents
Life Planning
Durable Power of Attorney
Designation of Health Care Surrogate
Living Will
Gifting
Asset Protection
Last Will and Testament
Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts
Probate Avoidance
Estate Tax Planning

WAR PERIODS FOR NON-SERVICE CONNECTED PENSIONS

World War I-

04-06-1917 through 11-11-1918, Inclusive (If in Russia, Ending Date is 04-01-1920)

World War II

12-07-1941 through 12-31-1946, Inclusive (If in Service on 12-31-1946 with Continuous Service Before 07-26-1947 then Time is an Acceptable War Period) Merchant Marines 12-07-1941 through 08-15-1945

Korean War

06-27-1950 through 01-31-1955, Inclusive

Vietnam War (note two periods)

02-28-1961 through 05-07-1975, Inclusive for Veterans Who Served in Vietnam
08-06-1964 through 05-07-1975, Inclusive for all Others

Persian Gulf War

08-02-1990 through date to be determined
(War on Terrorism is Considered a Continuation of the Persian Gulf War)


2012 Maximum Benefit

Monthly Monthly Difference Annual Annual Difference
Veteran with One Dependent
Basic Improved Pension $1,337 $16,050
Housebound $1,564 $227 $18,772 $2,722
Aid and Attendence $2,019 $455 $24,238 $5,466

Single Veteran
Basic Improved Pension $1,1021 $12,255
Housebound $1,248 $227 $14,977 $2,722
Aid and Attendance $1,703 $455 $20,446 $5,469

Surviving Spouse of Veteran
Basic Improved Pension $684 $8,218
Housebound $837 $153 $10,045 $1,827
Aid and Attendance $1,094 $257 $13,137 $3,092

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Living Assistant in Orlando

Living Assistant

Savvy seniors as they age want to remain in their home. This is not just a trend but a lifestyle choice to live better. Many people opt to get a caregiver or a live-in assistant. A living assistant or live-in caregiver is someone who helps with personal daily needs. Some needs are very small, such as driving, companionship, making meals and some needs are quite extensive such as toileting, showering, transferring and feeding.

There used to be three or sometimes even four generations of family members living in one home. The grandparents, helped the parents and the grandchildren helped the grandparents. It was a time where usually just the men in the family worked. These days the men and women work, they have kids to care for, the house to care for, and to care for their parents is a big challenge with time. Unless they quit their jobs, often, they can’t care for their parents. This is why they are referred to as “The Sandwich Generation”. They are between caring for their kids and their parents while they are still working full time. To help out with these issues, families can hire a living caregiver in the home while they are at work and sometimes around the clock 24-hours a day care. Our living assistant caregivers become members of the family.

Living assistants can help the family as well and be a family support. Yet, there are also occasions where someone has no family nearby and a living assistant makes a huge difference even if the assistance is only 12 hours a week. A living assistant can also live at the home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We can help you and your family with living assistants. Please feel free to call Florida Home Companion at 407-478-5469.

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Top 10 Reasons to Have Visiting Home Care

Top 10 Reasons to Have Visiting Home Care in Orlando

Many people as they age want to continue living in their own home. This is a trend not just in the Orlando area, but all over Central Florida and in the U.S. Even just a basic 12 hours a week can make all of the difference in your life. The top 10 reasons to have Visiting Home Care are the following:

1. You just need a little help at home such as tidying the home everyday or washing the dishes

2. You need someone around to remind you to take medication and remind you of doctor’s appointments

3. You need a little bit of help in the shower or with bathing even if you can can mostly do everything yourself

4. You’d like someone to make your meals so you can eat at home and eat a little bit healthier

5. You can no longer drive and would like someone who you can trust to either drive your car or take you around town in their car to run errands such as
grocery shopping and picking up your prescriptions.

6. Your children/spouse/friends/neighbors are unfortunately not able to assist you with everything you need during all the hours when you need the assistance.

7. You’d like someone to come and visit you during the day just to keep you company and keep you active

8. At night, you need help getting to the bathroom safely

9. You are bed-bound and your loved ones need a bit of assistance to help you accomplish daily living tasks

10. You just want your life to be a little easier and to have a personal assistant in your home to help with every day tasks.

If you have any questions on visiting home care please call Florida Home Companion at 407-478-5469.

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Long Term Elder Care in Greater Orlando

When a loved one requires long-term elder care, it typically means their loved one is just not able to perform their normal daily activities without assistance. Long-term care signifies that additional care is going to have to remain in place on a permanent basis. The long-term elder care, especially when it’s elder and senior care related, encompasses everything that deals with a patient. Where they live, what they eat, where they go, what they do are all aspects that fall under long-term care.

Families that have a loved one in need of long-term care have the difficult task of putting together a plan that includes how a loved one must be cared for, who will be responsible for doing the caring, and where their loved one is going to live while they are being cared for. If the work involved simply requires more manpower than the family can offer, family caregivers can hire agencies to help care for their loved one.

Because agencies can send caregivers out to a person’s home or facility to offer assistance and comfort, long term elder care can take place in someone’s home or facility as well. Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and private households can all be good spots for a loved one to work with long-term care assistance. Care may include assistance with grooming, toileting, bathing, walking, changing, laundry, cooking, light housekeeping, or even activities such as driving someone to doctor’s appointments or family events. Hours will vary according to a patient’s needs and could range anywhere from four hours a day to 24 hours a day.

In the Greater Orlando area, many seniors choose to stay in their own home and receive long-term elder care. Some also do choose to stay in a facility like nursing home or assisted living facility. In both cases, agencies like Florida Home Companion can send licensed, experienced, and good-hearted caregivers out to a patient’s house to help them take care of their daily activities. Florida Home Companion’s caregivers are carefully selected because we know that excellent care means healthier patients

If you would like more information on how we can help by providing long-term patient care for seniors, please call 407-478-5469.

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