unless you have conservatorship of care or have written authorization from your parent that you may conduct an inquiry . Have the policy in front of you or at least have the policy number and your parent ’ s date of birth and social security number . Some questions to ask : 1 ) Is there a waiting period ? Is it based on number of total hours of service or number of days ? 2 ) Do they want the home health agency to submit paperwork during that time and if so , will the insurance company let you know when you have qualified ? 3 ) How much will the insurance pay per week ? 4 ) Do they require that the caregiver be a Certified Nursing Assistant ( C . N . A .)? Does the certification have to be current or is the C . N . A . training enough ? 5 ) How quickly do they reimburse after the logs and the invoice is submitted ? 5 ) Are health aids and / or equipment ( mechanical lift , hospital bed , etc .) considered covered expenses ?
SMALL STEPS , BIG CHANGES
Arthritis Exercise Program MT . MADONNA YMCA
Join us for a fun , energizing low-impact class designed specifically for people with arthritis , mobility issues , or chronic pain . This is a FREE program made possible by donations from the Y ’ s Annual Campaign and a grant from the City of Gilroy .
Mon , Tues , Fri |
10-11 am |
Gilroy Senior Center |
Thurs |
10-11 am |
Wheeler Community Center |
For more information : Martha Alejo , 408-846-0428
What About The House ? The doctor says your parent wants to stay “ home .” That can mean the home she lives in now , your home a new place near you or an independent or assisted living community . If your parent wants to stay in the house you grew up in , do a safety check . Should they move to a different bedroom ? Are the bathrooms safe ? Is there adequate lighting ? There are many things one must do to keep the home safe especially for an older adult .
Develop A Care Team If there are relatives who can help – call a family meeting to discuss who can do what , when and for how long . Emphasize the importance of commitment . Create a schedule so everyone can see what they have committed to do .
In the next issue of gmh Today , I will discuss finding a caregiver : independent vs agency caregivers – what to expect , what you should know , how to screen caregivers , etc . In the meantime , if you can ’ t wait for the next issue and have a quick question , contact me at dorie @ visitingangels . com .
you are not alone !
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN JULY / AUGUST 2015 gmhtoday . com
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