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Home Health and Hospice: What are Your Options?

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The responsibility of taking care of your parents or loved ones is something we’re not always prepared for, and with an aging population it is an issue more and more individuals in the ‘sandwich generation’ are facing. Former nurses Virginia Kenyon and Margaret Shepherd, from KS Consulting, join host Andrew Schorr on this episode of Patient Power to answer questions about home healthcare, assisted living facilities and hospice. As experts in helping agencies, groups and providers offer these services with a high level of quality care, both Ms. Kenyon and Ms. Shepherd educate the listener about the tools you need to navigate this often complicated healthcare system.

This episode helps us learn more about assessing our own situation and the importance of respecting loved one’s wishes while also finding ways to support and keep them safe. Often home healthcare comes into play when a parent lives far away, an individual has fallen, or complications have arisen after surgery. Perhaps their spouse is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's and can no longer help. The healthcare options are numerous and vastly different, from 24-hour health care to assisted-living centers to family homes for a loved ones. Ms. Kenyon and Ms. Shepherd detail the different costs to consider, including when and what Medicare will contribute, as well as the certifications and licensures that need to be in place. Also mentioned in the conversation is palliative care and how to help loved ones with a chronic condition be as comfortable as they can at home or with hospice. Learn how a geriatric care manager can advocate and help make decisions when a loved one lives far away.

There is very little oversight for private healthcare organizations, and it is critical to be vigilant in investigating and interviewing people to find the best situation for your loved one. Ms. Shepherd explains the questions you should ask to connect with the most quality resources. What scope of services are offered at a particular facility? Is hospice needed at this time in a loved one’s life? Is it safe for the parent to live alone? These questions and more are explored as patient advocate and host Andrew Schorr leads a discussion on how to plan and prepare for the long-term care of elderly parents and loved ones.

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EXPERTS & GUESTS:
Virginia Kenyon, R.N., M.N.
Principal, KS Consulting
Ms. Kenyon is principal of KS Consulting, which provides consulting services for home and health care agencies. She has worked as an administrator in Public Health, Home Health and Private Duty Home Care for 18 years. more >

Margaret Shepherd,
Principal, KS Consulting
Ms. Shepherd is a long-time health care administrator and principal of KS Consulting, which provides consulting services for home and health care agencies. As a nurse and administrator, she has overseen mental health programs, residential programs for persons living with AIDS, and geriatric assessment and care services. more >

TRANSCRIPT:

  1. Introduction
  2. The Need for Long-Term Supportive Care
  3. Finding Assistance and Quality Care
  4. What Services are Available and What Certification is Required?
  5. What are Geriatric Care Managers?
  6. Planning Ahead for Assistance For an Elderly Parent
  7. Is It a Good Idea to Have Mom or Dad Come Live with You?
  8. What are the Range of Services Available and How Do You Find a Quality Provider?
  9. Options for Patients with Dementia or Alzheimer's
  10. Are Adult Day Centers Covered by Medicare?
  11. What If You Need Medical Care in the Home?
  12. What is "Home Health Compare"?
  13. Questions to ask to Connect with Quality Resources
  14. Monitoring Home Healthcare
  15. Questions to Ask When Assessing Facilities
  16. The Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice
  17. Coordinating with Family Members for Care and Support

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