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Author: Melissa White

In-Home Care Vs. Memory Care – Which Is the Best Fit?

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay (2)

What is a Memory Care Facility?

Memory care is a special kind of care for seniors with memory issues like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Many communities worldwide offer special services to meet the needs of individuals dealing with the effects of memory loss.

There are different types of memory care options. AARP states, “Many assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, and nursing homes have special memory care “neighborhoods” for dementia patients. There are also stand-alone memory care facilities.” Another option for memory care is a senior day care center like Aspen Senior Day Center in Provo, Utah, which offers memory care services throughout the day but still allows seniors to remain in the comfort of their own homes. 

Professional staff help residents with activities of daily living and help manage medication, provide meals, transportation, housekeeping, and other social activities. Memory care units maintain a higher staff-to-resident ratio than a typical senior living community. The staff is trained in caring for dementia patients, and common areas and units are protected with an access code to avoid wandering.

Memory Care Facilities

  • Special staff training to meet the mental and emotional needs of residents.
  • Intense supervision and safety protocols to prevent wandering.
  • Good staff to resident ratio.
  • Uniquely designed living spaces to ease agitation, anxiety, and disorientation.
  • Safety features like an emergency call system and alarmed doors.
  • Simple navigation and building layout to avoid confusion.
  • Social programs and activities to encourage socialization.
  • Secure fences, gardens, and courtyards for sensory stimulation and exploration in a safe space.

What is In-Home Care?

Many seniors wish to spend their later years at home surrounded by the companionship of their loved ones. For many seniors, in-home professional care may offer practical help along with peace of mind. In-home care allows seniors to remain comfortably in their own homes while receiving aid from professional caregivers. It’s also a cost-efficient option for family caregivers to receive additional respite care.

In-home care caregivers offer help with activities of daily living or “ADL’s.” The intensity of care may vary based on the senior’s needs. Typically care can range from a few hours a week spent preparing meals and housekeeping to round-the-clock supervision.

 In-Home Care 

  • Assistance with ADLs like bathing, personal care, dressing, and more.
  • Ongoing caregiver and family companionship and assistance.
  • Ease of transportation to appointments and everyday errands.
  • Help with housekeeping, dishes, and laundry.
  • Respite care for family caregivers. 
  • Specially trained caregivers who can help seniors dealing with memory loss.

How to Choose Between In-Home Care and Memory Care Facility? 

Consider how much care and help is available in the senior’s home and how much additional support is needed. It’s good to jot down a list of things your elderly loved one needs help with on a weekly, monthly, and daily basis. These notes will help you see the bigger picture to pick the right level of care. Be realistic about how much your family members and friends can help. Keep in mind the long-term, ongoing care during this stage.

Once you’ve drawn this comparison, you’ll have a better idea of how to proceed. Sometimes, creating this list clarifies that in-home care might be the best option. However, there are times where picking from memory care facilities for seniors is a clear choice. So, before you go ahead with either of these living arrangements, you should weigh their offered services along with critical pros and cons.

In-home care

The most significant advantage of in-home care is that seniors get to live out their days with family and friends in the safety of their own homes.

Pros

  • Tailored care based on the senior’s personal preferences and needs. Even the most luxurious senior living communities do not give the same one-on-one attention that a home care agency can provide.
  • The ability to stay at home surrounded by familiar faces as they age.
  • Cost may be flexible based on the hours of necessary care.
  • You get to pick the caregiver based on their credentials, competence, and personality fit to the senior.
  • Seniors develop a personal bond with the caregiver rather than working with multiple caregivers.
  • There’s more room for flexible care arrangements. For example, caregivers can help at different times throughout the day or week to help with specific needs like meals, showers, or errands. 

Cons

  • The cost can be considerably high if you need around-the-clock care.
  • Social isolation is a potential issue as seniors may not interact with peers. Isolation could fuel cognitive decline, health issues, and even depression.
  • You may have to modify the home to ensure safety, such as wheelchair accessibility, potential fall risks, etc.
  • You will have to take care of home maintenance and personal care while regularly stocking household supplies and groceries.

Memory Care

Memory care communities are designed to promote safety and avoid wandering clients. There are caregivers with special training and memory-specific therapies to promote cognitive health.

Pros 

  • Seniors receive 24/7 care.
  • Special community programs and activities to improve quality of life.
  • The living arrangements are comfortable, safe, and welcoming. They are uniquely customized to avoid confusion and disorientation.
  • Several memory care units deploy therapies and technology to ensure positive stimulation so that residents can thrive.
  • Seniors get to interact with people of their age every day. Peer interaction prevents isolation and depression.
  • Family members can visit their loved ones to offer ongoing support.

Cons

  • Based on the facility and the level of care required, the cost can be considerably high. Some luxury memory care facilities can cost upwards of $10,000 per month.
  • Often the transition from moving out of the home to memory care be overwhelming and stressful.
  •  It may be challenging to convince seniors to move from their homes.
  • No two communities are the same, which means you would have to do a large amount of research to pick the right fit.

Understand Your Financial Situation 

Sometimes, the cost of living arrangement is the single deciding factor regarding which option may be the best fit. 

The cost of regular memory care can be considerably high. For instance, it costs upwards of $6000/month to receive memory care in some states. In terms of in-home care costs, Genworth reported the cost of in-home in 2020 to be around $4500 for 44 hours/week.

The best way to understand the actual pricing for different living communities is to compare some of your top choices. You might also want to work with a financial planner to get a more accurate picture of a feasible option. Once you have a full-fledged comparison between the two, you will know which option is the best fit. 

Final Thoughts

When it comes to picking a suitable living situation for your loved one, knowledge is vital. So, ask around and do thorough research, read reviews, and ask for professional advice.

By Holly Klamer

Aspen Senior Care Contributor

The Benefits of In-Home Care for Seniors

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay - 1

More and more seniors are choosing to age in place. After all, who doesn’t want to grow old in their own home? It’s where you feel most comfortable and secure.

As ideal as it may seem, aging in place can be a significant source of concern for family members when their elderly loved one has difficulties with domestic responsibilities and activities of daily living.

Are you concerned about your loved one’s ability to live independently or your growing responsibilities as their caregiver? Why not consider home care services for the elderly?

These in-home care benefits will help you decide if it’s the right option, not only for your senior loved one but also for everybody concerned:

1. Provide a more personalized level of care. 

Residents of senior care facilities are often required to adhere to rigid schedules and care routines. With home care, however, the care services are tailored to the specific needs and timetable of the client. Your elderly loved one will get the help and care they need any time they need it.

The in-home care setting also provides caregivers and their patients the opportunity to develop a strong bond that could prove valuable for aging seniors.

2. Allow seniors the benefits of caring companionship.

Seniors who live alone, especially those with health or mobility issues, are more likely to suffer from depression. Thus, the company of a live-in or in-home caregiver could be very beneficial to their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Social interaction has been shown to boost vitality in the elderly. Seniors who have someone to converse with, eat with, and keep them company are happier and healthier.

3. Access to skilled medical care and help with medication management.

Most elderly people take a variety of prescription medications on a daily basis, making it difficult for them to keep track of everything on their own. With a care professional by their side, you can rest assured knowing that they’re taking their meds on time and as recommended.

Home care agencies can also provide licensed nurses and certified health care professionals, should your senior loved one need it.

4. Assistance with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living).

In-home caregivers assist seniors with everyday chores and hygienic routines such as grooming, bathing, and light housekeeping so that they can maintain a good standard of living.

Aside from that, home care also has the added benefit of allowing elderly clients the privilege of owning or keeping their pets, which is not allowed in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Like social interactions, pet companionship also helps improve vitality in older people.

5. Help ensure that seniors get the nutrition they need.

People over the age of 60, particularly those with long-term health issues, have more specific and demanding nutritional needs.

Old age, prolonged bed rest, and diseases can lead to malnutrition and loss of body mass. A senior’s home care plan may also include meal preparation and dietary counseling to ensure that patients get the nourishment they need to live healthily.

Beverly and Brandon - Square - Aspen Senior Care

6. Give seniors a sense of independence.

Approximately 90% of seniors prefer to age in place. They believe that living out their final years in their own homes is the most convenient and comfortable option. Many seniors are reluctant to move into a nursing home or care facility in fear of losing their independence.

Spending old age at home allows seniors to live the life they’re used to and keeps them engaged with their community, but you can’t dispute the fact that being on their own could be very challenging for them. Having a caregiver by their side helps ensure their safety and security without taking too much of their independence.

7. Cost-effective alternative to care facilities.

Hiring a home care professional is generally less expensive than living in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Home care rates are around $15 – $25 per hour, depending on whether the client needs non-medical, home health care, and skilled care. On the other hand, care facilities for seniors can cost $200 – $500 a day.

With home care, your senior family member receives quality one-on-one care without breaking the bank.

8. Get to spend more time with the family.

Choosing home care means you can visit your senior loved one anytime and spend as much quality time with them as you want, without being limited by rules or visitation hours. 

Nothing beats family as a source of support and strength. This is true for many of us, but even more so for seniors nearing the end of their lives. This is, perhaps, the best thing about in-home care: it allows you to play a more significant role in the care plan of your aging family members.

Author Bio:

Sarah Keller is the Content Marketing Strategist of A To Z Home Care, a team of professional home care providers based in Phoenix, Arizona that specializes in long-term care for your loved ones. She enjoys riding horses and camping with her friends and family in her spare time.

The Value of In-Home Care For Seniors Wishing To Age In Place

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels

For seniors, the benefits of aging at home are undeniable. The comfort and independence home provides can be one of the greatest assets to an aging senior’s health. But aging in place can be difficult if a senior’s needs are not being met, leaving families questioning the safety and happiness of their loved one and provoking stress and added anxiety. Fortunately, there are many ways to support seniors aging at home and ensure they remain happy and independent for as long as possible.

To help ensure that a senior’s needs are being met, think about the kinds of support and the level of care a senior might need. Since everyone’s circumstances are different, it’s important to discuss health factors and living accommodations before making any final decisions about aging in place. For seniors who choose to age in place, the underutilized support offered by in-home care services can be the best option for seniors seeking comfort and happiness at home.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

The Value of Aging In Place

The emotional value of having your own home is a significant motivating factor for many older adults. It also has a substantial impact on an elderly adult’s quality of life. When seniors age in place, they feel motivated and are happier within their familiar surroundings— Adding continuity and feelings of safety when going about their daily schedules and routines. However, as we continue to age, daily life can become full of frustration and anger as once more straightforward tasks are harder to accomplish. But if a senior aging in place enlists the help of another family member or in-home health caregiver, they can receive help and support while still maintaining more of their independence.

Seniors who age at home also benefit from less overall exposure to illness. Unlike an elderly person’s home, senior living communities tend to spread illness more rapidly. This is because of the increased number of people in proximity to each other. If illness strikes, seniors aging in place can choose their level of cautiousness when going out into the community while also having the benefit of knowing their in-home care specialist will be there for them if needed.

Why Seniors and Family Caregivers Choose In-Home Care Options

Plain and simple, in-home care can be customized to fit many non-health-related needs. Not to mention, in-home care offers a variety of benefits for different kinds of people— Whether for healthy aging, managing a chronic illness, recovering from surgery, or living with a disability.

Home caregivers can provide elderly adults with help and support with many personal and caregiving needs including:

  • Help with nutritious meals
  • Local transportation/errands
  • Medication reminders
  • 24-Hour care
  • Cognitive and social stimulation
  • Assistance with activities for daily living

In-home care provides a wide range of services and is customized depending on a senior’s wants and needs. Remember that it’s always important to hire an in-home caregiver that can provide the necessary type of care before making any concrete decisions.

A Healthy and Safe Environment

It’s not uncommon for a senior’s home to need modifications to provide a safe and manageable living environment. With the help of an in-home care specialist, seniors benefit from comfort and customization to create a safe, healthy environment.

Depending on a senior’s level of care, lifestyle, and personal or health needs, creating a safe living environment at home can be reasonably inexpensive. Traditional measures taken to develop an age-friendly home may include:

  • Use of non-slip flooring
  • Installation of a curbless shower
  • Replacing narrow doorways to at least 36’’
  • Better outdoor lighting

The available options for senior home care modifications and equipment are generally easy to come by and are often readily available.

According to AARP, about one-third of homeowners expected their homes to need significant modifications to accommodate aging needs. Around 24% of adults aged 50 or older said they planned to relocate rather than change their existing homes. But the choice to add additions to a home, plan big home improvement projects, or downsize to a new home to fit your needs is a highly personal one. Whatever options a senior or family caregiver chooses, remember that safety is always a priority to age safely at home.

Respite For All

Families caring for aging loved ones often struggle to balance work, family responsibilities, and caregiving duties. Adult Day Care programs are an excellent opportunity to provide respite for family caregivers and a fun, engaging, safe place for seniors to spend some time during the day. Adult Day Care facilities are great places for seniors who require assistance with activities of daily living during the daytime hours. While at respite, seniors are provided meals and offered numerous recreational activities, returning home in the afternoon or evening. In addition, many adult day centers specialize in providing care for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other types of Dementia. While a loved one is away on respite, family caregivers can get some rest of their own by running errands, performing some self-care, or attending a caregiver support group.

An Affordable and Content Quality of Life

No matter how a loved one ages in place, the cost of living at home is significantly lower than that of other senior living arrangements. After all, if you are living comfortably, safely, and healthy at home, moving to a facility is an unnecessary burden. If you’re not sure about your financial options for in-home care costs, some funding options available from companies similar to Aspen Senior Care for caregiver services are:

Long-term care insurance – If you have a long-term care insurance policy, it will often pay for the care provided by Aspen Senior Care. Since each policy is unique, please talk with your insurance company to verify coverage. Aspen Senior Care has a Long-Term Care specialist in the office and can help you file your claims.

VA Pension Benefit – Veterans who qualify can get a monthly pension to help pay for our services in some states.

Private Pay – Companies like Aspen Senior Care accept personal and business checks as well as cash, debit and credit cards.

To learn more about in-home care services and other common questions, visit Aspen Senior Care’s FAQ page.

In-home care is an invaluable asset to seniors wishing to age in place. For more information on the value of home care for seniors and other helpful resources on healthy aging, see these resources below:

— Aspen Senior Care Contributor

In-Home Care vs. The Alternatives: How to Make the Right Choice

The best approach to aging for many seniors is staying where they are happiest and most comfortable—their very own homes. Many seniors are also taking the steps required, like investing in personal caregiving to ensure they remain as comfortable and independent as long as possible.

Undeniably, aging at home comes with a few unique challenges. For starters, health and mobility issues can make it tricky for you to live independently and safely. Fortunately, this is where the help of home care professionals can come in handy. However, while staying at home is the best option for many, it is not the best alternative for everyone.

In-Home Care vs. Other Alternatives: Which Option is Best for You?

Figuring out whether to stay at home or in other types of facilities is a concern many seniors face. However, since seniors have unique needs and circumstances, choosing the right option can become a bit complex.

Below are some possible scenarios you can use as a guide, so it’s easier for you to figure out which option is best when the time to choose comes:

Scenario #01: You are healthy and living independently.

If you are healthy and independent but would like some help with the household chores, home care is hands down your best option. Also known as companion care, home care is also considered the best option if you are healthy and living comfortably at home.

After all, if you are thriving at home, moving to another facility is unnecessary. Also, if you opt to stay at home and you live away from your friends and loved ones, a caregiver can give your family updates about your situation.

Having a caregiver with you can also give your family some peace of mind and reassurance that you are not living on your own and you have easy access to the help you need at home.

Scenario #02: You have health challenges, and you live alone.

Understandably, if you are independent and healthy, you have more options than those with significant health and physical challenges. If you belong to the latter, your best option would be to live in an assisted living facility.

Living in an assisted living facility is ideal if you have health challenges and you have no loved ones or friends living nearby. If you feel isolated in an assisted living facility and would rather stay at home, you’d be happy to know that some home care companies can take you to social events and medical appointments so you won’t feel as isolated.

Scenario #03: Your significant other has different care needs, but you want to stay together.

If your significant other requires a different level of care, it can become tricky to figure out what your best option is. Understandably, you wouldn’t want to stay in a nursing home if you don’t need nursing care. For others, the same principle can apply even if they have a significant other who might need nursing care.

Thankfully, home care allows you to meet halfway. You can always get the help you need when caring for a loved one with health challenges with an onsite caregiver. If your significant other requires round-the-clock care or supervision, a caregiver can help. This setup can also help ensure you stay together at home where you are comfortable.

Scenario #04: You have serious health issues.

If you have a severe health condition that might require institutionalization, living in an assisted living facility is something you should consider. For instance, if you have dementia, living in a specialized memory care facility is recommended.

The good news is many home care companies now provide specialized services for those with severe health challenges like Alzheimer’s. For some, this is the ideal option as staying in a familiar place like your home can make it easy for your friends and loved ones to connect with you.

Final Thought

Choosing the best living arrangement is no easy feat. That said, don’t rush the process. Sit down with your loved ones and take all the critical elements like your unique needs into account so you can figure out which option is truly best for you.

Author Bio

Sarah Keller is the Content Marketing Strategist of A To Z Home Care, a team of professional home care providers based in Phoenix, Arizona that specializes in long-term care for your loved ones. She enjoys riding horses and camping with her friends and family in her spare time.

Range of Motion & Preventing Bedsores

A hand massaging a hand

Our caregiver training was provided by Suncrest Home Health and Hospice. Sarah trained our caregivers on preventing bed sores as well as how to provide the proper range of motion techniques for our senior clients.

Watch the video below to learn more!

Our award-winning team specializes in assisting seniors in their homes by providing caregivers you can trust. Some seniors just need a few hours a week and others need a lot more. We do it all and tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each of our clients. We also provide peace of mind to their family members. We believe that there’s no better place to be than in the comfort of your own home. We carefully screen each of our caregivers and train them as Certified Companion Aides, Certified Nursing Assistants, or both. Our in-home care services are available anywhere from two hours a day to 24/7. Our Services Include:

⦁ Caring companionship

⦁ Personal hygiene care and showering

⦁ Homemaking assistance and light housekeeping

⦁ Meal planning and preparation

⦁ Transportation and help with errands

⦁ Medication reminders and assistance

⦁ Family caregiver support groups

⦁ Alzheimer’s and dementia care

⦁ Respite, night care & holiday care

⦁ Hospice care (non-medical)

⦁ And much more!

 

Schedule your free assessment today by calling 801-224-5910.

Relief for Family Caregivers Through Respite Care

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care for the elderly is any service that supports and maintains the primary caregiving relationship by providing temporary care to an aging parent, spouse, or loved one.

If you’re the family caregiver for an aging loved one, you may be experiencing some form of stress or burnout. It’s natural for family caregivers to become so involved in taking care of someone else that they tend to allow their own needs to get put aside.

This is why respite care is so important for caregivers. As the number of caregivers increases— and there are already an estimated 34.2 million caregivers in the country today—the number of people suffering from exhaustion, stress, isolation, depression, and physical ailments is also rising. This is no coincidence. Primary caregivers need to recognize that they deserve a break from their responsibilities to take care of themselves, too. And taking some time away from caregiving duties will make the person a better caregiver in the long run.

Many family caregivers feel guilty at the thought of seeking respite services for their loved ones. A recent survey of caregivers by the National Family Caregivers Association showed that it’s challenging for spouse caregivers to acknowledge that their role is different and separate from their role as a spouse. Caregivers need to acknowledge that caregiving plays a totally separate part in their lives and that the job of long-term caregiving can be too big for just one person to handle.

Finding Relief in Respite Care

The benefits of respite care are numerous for family caregivers. Taking time away from caregiving demands will leave a caregiver refreshed and renewed, allowing them the opportunity to re-energize to be a more effective caregiver. Caregivers deserve time for activities they enjoy, whether it be reading, gardening, taking a walk, taking in a movie or museum, or whatever relaxes and eases the caregiver’s spirit. It’s also important for family caregivers to maintain social relationships with friends and other family members to avoid isolation and depression. And caregivers may need time to take care of personal errands such as seeing their own doctor or possibly attending a support group with other caregivers.

Ideally, caregivers will have regularly scheduled breaks provided by help from friends or other family members. However, if that support is not available to the caregiver, various respite care options are available. Respite care services are offered through community agencies, home health care companies, and residential care facilities. A good place to start in the U.S. is the Eldercare Locator, a free nationwide toll-free service designed to assist older adults and their caregivers find services in their community. Additional resources are local senior centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and the Family Caregiver Alliance.

Companies like Aspen Senior Care in Utah Valley, UT, can be a great option for family caregivers needing respite. Aspen provides:

⦁ Caring companionship
⦁ Personal hygiene care and showering
⦁ Homemaking assistance and light housekeeping
⦁ Meal planning and preparation
⦁ Transportation and help with errands
⦁ Medication reminders and assistance
⦁ Family caregiver coaching
⦁ Alzheimer’s and dementia care
⦁ Respite, night care & holiday care
⦁ Hospice care (non-medical)
⦁ And much more!

During a free assessment, Aspen will:

⦁ Discuss matching you with the best caregiver
⦁ Assess your loved one’s personal care needs
⦁ Determine health care, medication, and nutritional needs
⦁ Discuss emergency response services
⦁ Determine homemaking and transportation services
⦁ Discuss service costs and payment options
⦁ And, Create a quality care plan for your loved one

It is also ideal for family caregivers to create space in their home solely for themselves, whether that be a reading nook or an extra bedroom. Caregivers are advised to designate time every day, such as while the care receiver is taking a nap or when they first go to bed — something just for themselves.

Before planning respite care, caregivers should talk with their loved one about it so that they understand the benefit to both.

Remember that respite care should not be considered a luxury but a necessity for the caregivers’ well-being and their aging loved ones.

—Contributor for The Senior’s Choice

A Great Summer Activity: Aquatic Exercise for Seniors

People Swimming in a Pool

Many seniors have found that working out in the water is an excellent way to improve their overall well-being, from providing various physical benefits to offering social time and a trip out of the house. The unique properties of water provide seniors with the opportunity to get relief from painful physical conditions such as arthritis and circulatory problems while deriving the benefits of low-impact exercise in an environment that minimizes the risk of injury.

Why Water?

Cardiovascular exercise and weight loss are common benefits of any aerobic exercise, but exercising while submerged in water provides some distinct advantages that set aquatic exercise apart from land-based activity. Age-related joint conditions like arthritis can be a painful impediment to a senior’s capability (and enthusiasm) for exercising. But water-based exercise puts significantly less stress on joints, allowing them to enjoy these activities for longer periods of time, and can also provide some relief from these chronic conditions. Swimming can also be relaxing and meditative, which may offer some stress relief, adding to its cardiovascular benefits.

Swimming Pool

The Physical Benefits of Water Exercise

Cardio: It doesn’t matter if a senior is water-jogging or swimming—using the water to get their heart rate up will increase aerobic capacity, burn fat, and decrease their risk for heart disease.

Balance: Reduced muscle tone and vision loss can affect senior coordination and increase their risk of falling. Aquatic exercise is a great way to help improve balance. Doing specific balance exercises in water helps build strength and coordination. Water provides the ideal environment for this type of exercise, safely allowing for a loss of balance since their water-induced buoyancy will prevent them from falling.

Strength: Working with water “barbells” or wrist bands can provide a great form of resistance training which helps build muscle strength and endurance without injury.

Work Out and Get Out

Socializing is an overlooked added benefit of many types of senior group activity, and aquatic exercise is a prime opportunity to get out of the isolation of the home and into a social environment—and in the case of outdoor pools, enjoying some sun (with sun protection, of course).

Studies have shown that the opportunity to socialize is one of the key reasons older adults will maintain a successful exercise program. Group exercise classes provide an ideal opportunity for conversation.

Whether that be an exercise class, individual standing exercises, or swimmers using kickboards to kick side-by-side, there are many opportunities in the pool to socialize.

Getting Started

If you haven’t been swimming in a while, start slowly. Try swimming laps for just five to ten minutes while coordinating your breathing, strokes, and kicking. A pair of well-fitting goggles is a must. A less strenuous option is just walking or running in the water. Water aerobics classes are offered at a variety of levels, and often specifically for seniors. Check out your local senior center, community center, or YMCA for their Summer offerings for seniors.

Article by Caren Parnes for The Senior’s Choice

Voted #1 Best of Utah Valley 2021!

Best Of Utah Valley 2021 Badge | Aspen Senior Care

Aspen Senior Care was chosen as The Best of Utah Valley in the Home Health Care category for the 9th year running! The Best in Utah Valley competition is held each spring by the Daily Herald. Readers choose and vote on their favorite local businesses, services, and products in Utah County.  The Daily Herald counts the votes to determine the top three in each category and the rest is history!

Best Of Utah Valley 2021 Badge | Aspen Senior Care

Aspen Senior Care has been serving seniors in Utah Valley for over 17 years. We are a personal care agency helping seniors with all their non-medical needs in the comfort and safety of their own homes. We work closely with several great home health and hospice agencies as well as other professionals serving the needs of seniors.

Our mission statement is very simple:

“Our mission is to help seniors in Utah live comfortably and independently in their own homes for as long as possible.”

We accomplish this by providing Utah’s finest and most reliable and personalized in-home care. Our care and business practices are based on strong family values and the highest ethical standards. We perform all senior care services with professionalism and dignity and treat all seniors like family.

Our award-winning team specializes in assisting seniors in their homes by providing caregivers you can trust. Some seniors just need a few hours a week and others need a lot more. We do it all and tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each of our clients. We also provide peace of mind to their family members. We believe that there’s no better place to be than in the comfort and safety of your own home.

We help with:

  • Personal care
  • Dementia care
  • Companionship
  • Respite care for family 
  • Medication reminders
  • Transportation and errands
  • 24-hour care and holidays
  • Showering assistance and hygiene care
  • Light housekeeping and meal preparation
  • Senior Day Care through our sister company, Aspen Senior Day Center
Chuck and Susan | Aspen Senior Care

Aspen Senior Care is a locally owned company with roots deep in Utah. With years of experience assisting seniors in our community, our staff provides quality care and enjoyable daily experiences. You can trust our staff to take great care of your loved one. 

To find out more about Aspen Senior Care’s commitment to excellence, please visit AspenSeniorCare.com or call 801-224-5910.

Aging with Disability: Weighing Your Long-Term Care Options

Photo courtesy of Pixabay (Silviarita)

If you have a physical disability, it’s likely that you’ll need long-term care services someday. While the average American uses 1.5 to 2.5 years of long-term care service, adults with disabilities often need more intensive care for longer. This dramatically spikes the cost of long-term care. At the same time, people with disabilities tend to have fewer financial resources to pay for the care they need.

In this complex long-term care landscape, it’s important for people with disabilities to start planning for their future long-term care needs well in advance. By assessing your long-term care options now, you can create a financial plan that balances your care needs with your overall financial picture.

Photo courtesy of Pexels (rawpixel.com)

Saving Money with Family Caregiving

Relying on family caregiving is the preferred option for many, especially people living on a tight budget. Medicaid may even pay family caregivers of low-income seniors under self-directed care programs.

Family care is a good choice when you need assistance with daily activities but don’t require medical services. However, keep in mind that while family caregiving doesn’t cost money, you may need to make home modifications that allow you to continue living at home. Veterans can receive help paying for home modifications under the Specially Adapted Housing and Special Housing Adaptation grant programs, but non-veterans may need to use loans to pay for home modifications.

Where to Turn for Long-Term Care

Eventually, you may need a higher level of care than your loved ones can provide. When that day arrives, you’ll need to decide between in-home care and assisted living. While in-home services are more affordable for part-time care, people who need a full-time caregiver may save money with assisted living.

If you do choose in-home care, companies like Aspen Senior Care, an in-home personal care agency,  help make sure seniors get the most bang for their buck. Cindy Harris, an LTC Claim Specialist with Aspen, works with LTC insurance companies and helps pay claims on their clients’ behalf.

Aid and attendance benefits help veterans cover the costs of long-term care. However, others must look to insurance, Medicaid, or private pay to cover long-term care costs. Unfortunately, a disability can make it difficult if not impossible to qualify for long-term care insurance. Another way that you can pay for long-term care is through a home sale. Research your area’s housing market to learn how much you’re likely to earn from selling your home.

If paying out-of-pocket isn’t an option, it may be time to talk to a financial advisor about spending down for Medicaid. With tools like ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts, people with disabilities can protect their assets while qualifying for Medicaid. However, due to Medicaid look-back rules, it’s important to plan your Medicaid spend-down well before you need care.

It’s equally important to search for an assisted living facility before you need one. While all assisted living facilities provide the same basic services like personal care assistance and meals, amenities like social activities and religious services vary from community to community. Finding an assisted living facility that you like can take time, so start touring communities now while you’re able.

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What About Medicaid Estate Recovery?

If you have a spouse or children at home, you may worry about losing your house if you use Medicaid to pay for long-term care. While it’s true that Medicaid can seek reimbursement for expenses under estate recovery, Medicaid won’t recover costs if you have a surviving spouse or minor child. That means you don’t have to worry about your family ending up homeless if you move to a care facility. Medicaid also won’t seek estate recovery from a home where a sibling caregiver or child caregiver has lived for one or two years, respectively.

There’s no easy answer to the question of how to pay for long-term care when you’re disabled. While Medicaid will cover the costs, qualifying can be complicated and rules vary from state to state. Rather than trying to navigate this complex process on your own, reach out to financial professionals who can help you prepare for your long-term care needs.

Jillian Day created 508Assist to help people all across the web make their sites accessible to individuals with disabilities. She was inspired to start 508Assist when a close family member, who happens to have a visual impairment, had trouble finding a dinner recipe online that he could read easily. When she’s not chasing after her little ones, Jillian enjoys being outside, whether she’s fishing, hiking, or Geocaching with her family.

Aspen Senior Care Provides Specialized Senior Care Services

Aspen Senior Care Logo

Our mission at Aspen Senior Care is to help seniors in Utah Valley live comfortably and independently in their own homes for as long as possible. We do this by providing the finest and most reliable in-home caregivers you can trust. We are dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of seniors and their caregiving families.

Specialized Senior Care Services

Seniors who can stay comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible tend to be healthier and happier than their counterparts who move to assisted livings or nursing homes. However, sometimes it is not safe for seniors to be home alone for long periods or they need help with household chores, personal care, meals, errands and transportation, and medication reminders. 

Many people don’t realize that there are licensed personal care agencies with professional caregivers screened and trained to take good care of seniors aging in their homes. These agencies provide many non-medical services to help seniors stay comfortable, happy, and independent. These services include personal care, such as showering and getting dressed, preparing meals, providing light housekeeping, transportation, and even companionship.

We believe the finest care an aging senior can receive is one-on-one care in their own homes. You won’t find a better ratio in any facility. Seniors get personalized care and 100% of the caregiver’s attention. The care is flexible and can be provided just a few hours a day, overnight care, weekend and holiday care, or even around-the-clock care. Whatever the client’s need, an excellent personal care agency should be able to provide. Aspen Senior Care has specialized in providing these services for over 16 years now and has a great reputation for delivering exceptional care in Utah Valley.

In Home Caregivers - Senior Care Utah County

Professional In-Home Caregivers

We train and qualify our caregivers to provide care specifically for seniors. Aspen caregivers come with a wide range of backgrounds, but an essential characteristic about all of them is that they are trustworthy and TRULY CARE! Our caregivers are professional, dedicated, and well-trained to ensure that each senior’s unique needs are met with dignity and respect.

We screen our caregivers through interviews, reference checks, and background checks. We are licensed with the Utah State Health Department and follow their rules and regulations, such as insisting caregivers qualify (TB test, check driving record, copy of auto insurance card, FBI background check, receive required training, etc.)

Our caregivers are required to be CNAs (certified nursing assistants) and/or CCAs (certified companion aides). In addition, we provide ongoing training. We back up our caregivers with field supervisors and an RN on staff who help us ensure we provide the quality care for which we are known.

Spring at Aspen Senior Day Center - 3

Senior Day Care Services — Another Great Option

Another excellent option for seniors who need memory care is the Aspen Senior Day Center of Provo.  Aspen Senior Day Center is a senior day care program designed for seniors who are still somewhat active but have some memory impairment. The center is a safe option for families who may have an elderly parent living with them but need to work during the day or need some respite time. The center has fun, engaging activities and provides nutritious snacks and a lunch. There is also a transportation option for those who might need a ride. This is truly the least expensive and most enjoyable approach to memory care for seniors still at home.

COVID-19 Response: Always Being Smart, Safe, and Responsible

We have always made the health and safety of our clients and employees our top priority. We are doing our best every day to follow all State, Federal, and CDC guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of those we serve.

To find out more about Aspen Senior Care’s specialized commitment to excellence, please visit AspenSeniorCare.com or call 801-224-5910.