Learn How To Help Your Aging Parent Without Feeling Overwhelmed And Stressed
Do you have an aging parent who could use some assistance? You may be trying your best to help out, but know that you cannot give your loved one all the undivided attention and assistance possible because you have many other obligations. Even if you have a busy schedule, there are some simple yet meaningful things you can do to provide tremendous support to your loved one.
Help Your Parent Apply For Medicaid
There are about 70 million people in the United States who rely on Medicaid as a way to afford medical treatment, prescription medications, and more. If your parent is considered a low-income individual because he or she only receives a small amount of money each month, there is a good possibility that he or she will get approved for Medicaid as well as Medicare.
If you believe your loved one could benefit from living in a nursing home where supportive services are provided throughout the day and night by trained professionals, it is important for your parent to have Medicaid because it often covers the cost of living at a nursing home. If your loved one does not have the funds to afford a permanent stay at a nursing home, Medicaid may be the best solution.
There are several ways to apply for Medicaid. You can complete the paperwork with your parent at the local assistance office or you can even complete the application online if that is more convenient for you. It is important to provide detailed information about your parent's income when completing the application process as this is how a decision of approval or denial will be determined.
Find the Perfect Nursing Home
If you know your parent would live a better life in a nursing home where there is always someone there to help if he or she needs it, looking into the different homes around your area is crucial because you likely want to choose a place where your loved one will feel the most comfortable. You can start doing your research online by checking out the different nursing home websites and viewing any pictures they may have uploaded onto the website.
However, you should also take a tour and have a specific set of questions ready to ask the coordinators who work at the facility. Some of the questions you may want to consider asking include:
- How many meals are served each day?
- Are different types of activities available for residents to participate in?
- Do you offer to take trips with residents to get them outside and keep them active?
- Will any kind of therapy be provided?
- Do residents have to share rooms or do they get their own rooms?
- Is someone available late at night throughout the whole week to provide assistance if an emergency occurs?
These are just some of the questions you should not hesitate to ask when touring a nursing home to see if it is the right fit for your parent. Even after all of your questions are answered, it does not hurt to look online for reviews of what other people are saying about the facility. If you do some extensive research, it will be easier for you to find the perfect place for your parent to live where he or she can receive medicine reminders, have someone help with bathing and dressing, and even receive delicious meals each day.
You may not have enough time to take care of the things in your life and help your aging parent all the time. If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, but you want the best for your loved one, there are ways to help without overexerting yourself. You can help your parent apply for Medicaid and then go on the search for the perfect nursing home. If you have any trouble with the paperwork for Medicaid, there are some professionals who can assist you with the application process to ensure that things go smoothly for you and your loved one. Contact a company like Senior Solutions of Long Island, Inc. if you would like help applying for Medicaid.
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