Author

Thomas Wiest

CEO, Aspirience Home Care

According to a recent study I read, about 34% of elderly U.S. residents who have long-term care insurance and claimed benefits used it last year to pay for in-home care, according to a study released last week by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.

Nearly 30% of long-term care payments in 2006 were for assisted living costs, and about 36% of payments were for nursing home care, the study found. Total payout for long-term care in 2006 amounted to $3.3 billion. Wow, $3.3 BILLION!

One of the key findings of the study was that “although long-term care insurance is closely linked in consumers’ minds with nursing home care,” people are more likely to use their long-term care insurance to pay for in-home care or assisted living facilities. That’s the part I thought was interesting and amazing. 34% or a full third of all claims go to pay for in-home care!

The article estimates that about eight million U.S. residents have long-term care insurance through an individual policy or employer-sponsored plan. This type of insurance is relatively inexpensive and easy to disburse payments to home care providers for services.

Here’s another interesting and amazing statistic:

Nearly 80% of all long-term care is provided in-home, most of it by family members at no cost. The care that “29 million Americans provide for free amounts to an estimated $306 billion” annually, according to a similar study. There’s actually, two interesting facts here: 1) that 80% of all long-term care in provided in-home and 2) most of it by family members at no cost.

Here’s another statistic:

Medicaid spending for in-home care has tripled between 1996 and 2005 to $22.7 billion. While Medicaid will provide aides for in-home care, they are limited to services including light house cleaning, errands or bathing and are not permitted to provide skilled nursing care, such as help with feeding tubes. Long-term insurance will pay for those types of needs though.

It’s important to know, you can use your long-term insurance to help pay for in-home care.

Author

Thomas Wiest

CEO, Aspirience Home Care

For many of us, the notion of ‘going on sabbatical’ is surrounded by an air of mystery. We might not be entirely sure what sabbaticals are, but we’re pretty sure they’re reserved for professors, scholars, and the like. At least, that’s what I remember from my college days where a few of my professors were ‘gone on sabbatical’. This is too bad, because taking a sabbatical sounds real appealing.

In reality, sabbaticals are not exclusive to the academic world. They’re available in a wide variety of professions. Even if they are not part of your company’s formal policy, some version of a sabbatical may be possible, particularly if you’re a highly valued employee.

So what exactly is a sabbatical? Essentially, it’s an extended, voluntary time away from the customary responsibilities of work. Whether it be for a few weeks or a few months, it offers a unique opportunity to reflect on your life and career, or to complete research and deep thinking that may not be possible amid the hustle and bustle of normal work life. Unlike a vacation, a sabbatical has a purpose to it.

The idea is that by removing yourself from your daily demands and responsibilities, you’ll gain new insights, ideas and perspectives that allow you to come back all the smarter and stronger. Many employers recognize that sabbaticals can be a great antidote to employee burnout and that they help shape better workers who are more energized, inspired, committed and engaged. Negotiating a sabbatical with your employer may be easier than you think, given its many benefits.

After researching this concept further, the term ‘sabbatical’ dates back to the Biblical phrase Sabbath year, which refers to the practice of letting farmland go unused once every seven years so it can replenish itself again to bear a harvest. Similarly, sabbaticals are meant to replenish our soul, mental and creative reserves.

You’ll probably get the greatest benefit from your sabbatical if you use the time both to rest, getting plenty of sleep and to reawaken your sense of curiosity, gain new skills and get fresh new insights to your world around you.

It’s important to know, you can take a sabbatical, on your own time and in your own way, with the right home care provider.

Author

Thomas Wiest

CEO, Aspirience Home Care

I know its old news by now but, you know, I was excited to watch the Super Bowl game last weekend. It was a good game with each team getting to score one up on each other virtually every time they gained possession of the ball. And what a victory for Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy and MVP quarterback Payton Manning! Even the half time entertainment was great without any Janet Jackson costume surprises like last year. It was a perfect setting for Prince to end the show by playing Purple Rain in the rain.

There were a lot of firsts in this game, too. Dungy’s Super Bowl ring was his first. He was also the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl. In fact, this was the first Super Bowl where both competing head coaches were African Americans. It also was the first 100% rainy Super Bowl game and the first time an opening kickoff was run back for a score, when sensational Bears rookie Devin Hester, sped downfield for a 92 yard touchdown.

In hearing and reading the many recaps of the game since last weekend there appeared to be some common traits that winning team’s possess. Mainly, I have discovered three of them.

Field Position – It’s just that, your position on the field. Being able to out maneuver your opponent to another position on the field that gives you more strength and conviction to score. Hester’s spectacular return provided a stunning beginning — and a severe jolt to the Colts. He pumped his arms to excite the crowd before the kickoff, then lifted the fans from their seats with an electrifying run on which he never was touched.

Execution – Regardless of who comes up with the plan, it all boils down to execution or how well you play it out and put the plan into motion. It was validation of Dungy’s leadership. He helped build Tampa Bay, one of the NFL’s worst franchises, into a contender before being fired after the 2001 season. The next year, the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl under Jon Gruden. It doesn’t matter who comes up with the plan, just execute it flawlessly. Perfect practice, makes perfect.

Turnovers – Or how well you limit your exposure to giving up the ball or letting your opponent get one up on you. The first half of Super Bowl game was marred by six turnovers, three for each team. Even football’s most clutch kicker, Adam Vinatieri, missed a chip-shot field goal for the Colts, who botched an extra point attempt, too.

Well, I don’t bring this sports analogy to light just to cover a great football game. I didn’t even say who I was rooting for. It doesn’t matter. What matters is winners are proactive and take a stance to position their team to win – not only for themselves but their fans.

It’s important to know, when looking for a home care provider, it’s as much about making the client happy as it is the company being positioned to make the client happy.

Author

Thomas Wiest

CEO, Aspirience Home Care

I’ve been asked many times, what costs and options are there with home care. Well, there are many and in today’s society, families are frequently geographically separated, thus getting help from family members less likely. Given a preference for remaining at home and given the increasing likelihood that family assistance may not be available, other sources of assistance may meet our needs as we age. These include home care, independent living (sometimes called congregate/group housing), assisted living, and continuing care facilities or nursing homes. Each provides a large measure of independence for as long as possible at varying levels of cost based on the care provided.

Home care is exactly what it sounds like and the most cost effective option. A person dependent on others for some essential activity receives that service while living at home. The services can range from skilled medical care to ordinary household chores. Depending on the activity involved, home care is the most cost effective option by far. Home care is probably best suited for those who are still reasonably independent and mobile, but who need some help with such tasks as house cleaning, maintenance, cooking, laundry, and shopping. The cost of some home care services may be offset by long-term care insurance depending on the type of policy purchased and the assistance rendered.

Independent living (or congregate/group housing) involves either the ownership or rental of a unit in a complex within which one may receive a variety of services. These may include (but are not limited to) shared recreational facilities, common dining, housecleaning, 24-hour security, transportation, organized activities, and health monitoring. The arrangement affords private living coupled with available assistance for those needing help with limited health services, cooking, shopping, transportation, and housecleaning. Costs vary depending on location, but often range between $1,500 and $2,500 per month. Note, though, that these costs can be much higher. Typically, the resident covers the majority of expenses in these facilities. Long-term insurance may pay for some services, depending again, on the type of policy purchased and the assistance rendered.

Assisted living is much like independent living in that it still affords a measure of independence and private accommodations; however, it is most appropriate for those who are less independent in caring for their personal needs. It’s a living arrangement suitable for someone who is mentally capable but physically impaired, or physically capable but mentally impaired. Like an independent living facility, assisted living offers transportation, meals, common leisure areas, and organized activities. Additionally, assisted living will, along with other services, provide greater assistance with medications, transferring, bathing, eating, dressing, and laundry. Daily rates depend on the location, services provided, and facility involved, but typically range between $75 and $150. These charges can be much higher. Assisted living facilities are most beneficial for those who require some daily assistance but not continuous nursing care. Most of the expense will be borne by the resident, but some long-term care insurance now provides coverage for many of these expenses. Because of the expanded skilled medical services available, assisted living facilities are licensed by the states, and Medicaid might cover their cost for residents who qualify.

A continuing care retirement community (CCRC), otherwise known as a nursing home, provides lifetime housing and care over a wide variety of services. While the resident must be independent on entry, if that person later becomes disabled, then extensive personal, health, and nursing services will be provided by the facility. Although these arrangements run the gamut of lifestyles from totally independent living through 24-hour nursing care, they are quite expensive. Some charge an entrance fee of $20,000 to $50,000 and monthly fees ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 will be assessed for maintenance, household work, and other personal services. Almost all of this expense must be borne by the resident unless they are insured. A CCRC is perhaps best suited to someone who is wealthy enough to afford the fees and who wants to provide for health needs as he or she ages without having to relocate.

Many communities also offer free or low-cost escort, companionship, shopping, transportation, cleaning, and other personal services through volunteer, social, and professional organizations. Regardless, as we age the likelihood of our need for such types of health care increases. Long-term care insurance under certain conditions may help meet this need. So may the options discussed above. We each must decide for ourselves what option, with or without insurance, is most appropriate for us.

It’s important to know, as health care concerns continues to increase, home care is still the most cost effective and viable life-sustaining option.