Genworth Life, a Genworth Financial company, recently introduced My Future, My Plan(SM), a suite of long term care insurance plans created exclusively for AARP members. My Future, My Plan is the result of Genworth Life combining its unique expertise in long term care insurance with what it has learned about AARP’s membership needs. With My Future, My Plan, AARP members get access to industry-leading features while maintaining the ability to customize a plan that falls within their price range, meeting their lifestyle needs. In three simple steps, AARP members can choose one of three preselected long term care insurance plans, tailored to them and designed specifically to address their potential needs. All plans include the option of home care, assisted living/residential care and nursing home services along with flexible features designed exclusively for AARP members. Also included is no-cost access to Privileged Care® Coordination which assists policyholders at the time of claim in planning for their long term care.

“Two-thirds of people over age 65 will need long term care in their lifetimes,” said Buck Stinson, President, U.S. Life Insurance Products at Genworth. “The current economic downturn has depleted the nest eggs of many California residents, making it more important than ever to plan ahead for future long term care costs.”

For more information, visit genworth.com.

This is important to note given that a majority of Americans say they wish to receive care in the home. According to another Genworth survey conducted earlier this year, when asked to identify the setting most preferred to receive long term care, 78 percent chose the home, 18 percent chose assisted living, and only 2 percent selected a nursing home. For most people, the ability to live independently is critical to maintaining quality of life. Many may be surprised to learn that in-home care could even be their most cost-effective choice.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans over age 65 will need long term care at home or through adult day health care, or care in an assisted living facility or nursing home. And while most people think of long term care as impacting only those in their senior years, 40 percent of people currently receiving long term care services are ages 18 to 64.4

Now in its 35th year as a leading provider of long term care insurance, Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey helps raise public awareness of the various options available beyond just nursing home facilities, and the costs associated with each.

2010 Cost of Care Survey: Key Findings

Looking across the long term care services landscape, Genworth’s 2010 Cost of Care Survey identified some key trends that have emerged in the last five years. Overall, while the cost of care among facility-based providers has steadily increased, home care costs remained relatively flat.

Nursing Home Costs Continue to Rise

In 2005 the median annual rate for a private nursing home room was $60,225, compared with the 2010 median annual rate of $75,190. This means that Americans can expect to pay approximately $14,965 more per year today for a nursing home than they had to pay in 2005.

Home Care Costs Holding Steady

In contrast, rates charged by home care providers for “non-skilled” services have not experienced significant growth over the past five years. The national hourly private pay median rate charged by a licensed home health agency for a home health aide was $17.50 in 2005, while the 2010 hourly rate has gradually risen to $19. Home care rates have remained in check partly due to increased competition among agencies, the availability of unskilled labor, and the absence of costs associated with maintaining stand-alone health care facilities.

The Least and Most Affordable States for In-Home Care

Genworth’s 2010 Cost of Care Survey revealed that Alaska, Minnesota and Rhode Island are the most expensive states for home care, at a median rate of $25 per hour for a home health aide provided by a state-licensed agency. The most affordable states are Alabama and West Virginia, at a median rate of $15 per hour.

For more information, visit genworth.com.

The responsibility of caring for the elderly often lies with the family. A nursing home or custodial care; community or assisted housing is often too expensive for even the best planned estate to cover. Long term care provided at home is not usually covered by Medicare plans – unless skilled medical care is required or there are few assets available and income is low. Therefore unless a private long term care insurance policy is in place the responsibility of care for the elderly is often taken on by their relatives.

Elder care by a parent, spouse, partner or even a close friend can be challenging, especially if that responsibility has been thrust upon them suddenly. It may be an accident that brought around the sudden need for care, in which case decisions will need to be made quickly. Without a suitable insurance policy this will be when family and friends take on the role of caregivers, even if, as is typical, they have no previous experience of medical care at all, much less specialized senior care. Sometimes, due to financial restrains this might well be the only option.

It may be that certain unsettling signals have indicated an elderly person will be (or is already) in need of regular, long term care – loss of memory (possibly indicating dementia), weight loss (they are not preparing meals) and lack of hygiene (personally and in the home) for example.

In such cases forward planning is definitely best and the sooner the better. Caring for the elderly can be a difficult and demanding task; however (depending on the degree of the problem) good planning and a little support can go a long way.

It may be that a housekeeper, day care, and help with meals are enough to get things back on track. Maybe finances will allow the services of a caregiver to be attained to help with all or some of the most basic and fundamental needs, including bathing and dressing.

There are many facets and options available with regards to elderly care. This responsibility does not have to lie with any one single person. Caring for the elderly might involve overseeing a network of caregivers; it could involve employing help to provide care and/or incorporating the help of friends and family.

Regardless of whether it is a crisis situation or a future necessity, the sooner a good, solid plan is in place, the better.

There are many options and various decisions to be made with regards to choosing the correct long term health care facility; should the time come when either you or a loved one is in need of it. Those choices can be a little overwhelming at first, especially when you may already be feeling under pressure. So begin by ‘ticking the boxes’ of the most fundamental points first, and the process will become easier.

Primarily it is necessary to determine what level of long term health care is needed. Asking your medical practitioner should clear any confusion with regards to the long term care required, effectively allowing the professionals to decide upon what level of care is needed. It may be that a long term care facility is not essential, and the patient is able to have their personal and health care needs provided in their own home – everyday chores such as bathing, housekeeping, meals and the administration of basic medical care.

It might be that ‘assisted living’ might be the better long term health care option. For example, if the patient lives in a rural area or their current home is not suitable or sufficiently adaptable to meet their current needs – even with home care arrangements in place. Assisted long term health care provides staff members to help with all their basic health care requirements, meals and personal care, as well as transportation, field trips and other such social activities. Some assisted long term health care facilities will also make other services available, like beauticians and hairdressers, for example.

For people who are relatively healthy, yet in need of long term care, some communities can provide rental apartments. Many senior housing facilities can also provide help with everyday chores such as meals and housekeeping, as well as offer regular social activities. It may be that they can also offer assisted long term health care. It is not unusual for a ‘continuing care’ community to be able to provide several levels of long term health care.

Long term health care requirements depend upon many different conditions. A nursing home providing round the clock nursing care might be essential for convalescence or end of life care. While the levels of long term health care available vary, the opinion of the doctor is paramount, although the preference of the patient should be considered.

Click Long Term Health Care & Long Term Care Facility for more info. Copyright 2010 Ron X King.

Source: Go Articles.

There are many types of facilities available and people can easily get confused, especially when they are already under pressure. Because each and every patient has different needs dependent upon what their particular injury or condition might be, most long term care centers are specialized.

On the whole the long term care facility most “in demand” is nursing home care. A facility such as this tends to cover many of the fundamental aspects of personal care and recuperation. Most often the next step is intermediate nursing care, which offers treatment for physical, mental and emotional diseases under professional medical supervision.

Patients can also opt for a ‘Personal Caregiver,’ which is (generally speaking) non-professional because those caregivers usually do not have medical qualifications. Personal Caregivers are capable of satisfying the private needs of a patient. Some may have achieved a certain level of medical training, however, even if they have, it is usually primary.

Many people are wrong to think that every long term care facility is solely involved with health issues. In actuality, the truth is far from that. There are plenty of community based care facilities, which also double up as long term care facilities. For example, adult day care does not solely cater to the physical condition of seniors. It’s primary purpose is to meet the social and most vital human needs of the impaired and elderly. Most organizations offer an extremely well-structured program with plenty of social and mental related services available.

There are many other kinds of long term facility centers. Unfortunately, too many remain unknown to the majority of people, and yet they could turn out to be very helpful for a majority of them. Respite Care, for example, can provide invaluable help to the patient’s family members. It provides personal care, supervision and various other services, altogether providing ‘respite’ for family members and partners who usually provide the care. Its main purpose is to provide a period of short relief for the family member who takes care of the patient, as well as covering holidays and illness for a professional, primary caregiver.

Is it long term care or a long term care facility that is needed? It is important to ensure that you compare and choose the most appropriate care option for the patient. Conditions and services will vary from place to place.

You should pay special attention to the convenience of the facility’s location. This can save you time, money and a lot of much-needed energy if it is reasonably close by. You should also pay attention to the hygiene, safety, competence, attitude of the caregivers and their ‘caring philosophy’. Those are probably the most important considerations when deciding upon a long term care facility that can provide the right care for your loved one’s needs.

About the Author

Click Long Term Care Facility or Long Term Care or Long Term Care Facilities for more info. Copyright 2009 Ron X King.

Source: Go Articles.

Just a quick note to let you know why the blog has not been updated recently.

Janet has been hospitalized for the last 2 weeks. We expect her to make a full recovery and be back to blogging in a couple of weeks.

Participation would be voluntary, with fees and benefits to be determined on an actuarial basis.

Despite widespread concern about the potential impact on the federal deficit, the plan survived in the Senate bill. An amendment to delete the program failed to get the 60 votes needed.

The plan is getting strong support from groups representing seniors and the disabled, two powerful lobbies.

A study by the centers for Medicare and Medicaid suggested that the program will stop paying for itself by 2025, and then run a deficit. However, another agency, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, found reason for optimism, estimating the program will probably remain solvent over a 75-year period.

This pioneer program is an Alzheimer’s outreach program that incorporates interactive tours and art therapy. Art therapy programs engage the minds of those affected by dementia, improving the quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients, and increasing self-esteem.

Piece of Mind was modeled on the highly acclaimed Meet Me at MOMA developed by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Building on this idea, the Brooks also added corresponding art making sessions with a trained art therapist, and is currently the only art museum in the country to offer these two components in tandem.

This unique program benefits individuals in the early to middle stages of the degenerative disease, along with their family members and caregivers.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, as many as 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s, a disease characterized by memory loss for which there is no known cure. While art therapy programs cannot stop the effects of the disease, they are valuable therapeutic tools in engaging the minds of those affected by dementia, improving the quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients, and increasing self-esteem. As the Alzheimer’s Association states, the value of art therapy lies “in the creative process of making the art and expressing feelings and emotions trapped inside. The ensuing sense of accomplishment brings renewed joy and self-respect to the patient.”

Karleen Gardner, the Brooks’ Curator of Education explains, “In this program you often see people opening up and, as their caregivers tell us, expressing themselves in ways they couldn’t usually. While they may not be able to access a specific memory, some paintings can evoke powerful feelings from their past.”

During interactive gallery tours at the Brooks, specially trained museum docents highlight themes, artists, and special exhibitions, encouraging close inspection, personal connections, and group discussion. Tours are followed by related hands-on art projects in the studio with a trained art therapist. The Piece of Mind program is conducted during non-public hours, thus providing a safe, comfortable environment to give those living with Alzheimer’s an expressive outlet and a forum for dialogue.

Piece of Mind is sponsored by Baptist Memorial Health Care, regarded as one of the premier health care systems in the nation, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care for patients. “It is our privilege to support such a wonderful and important program,” said Scott Fountain, senior vice president and chief development officer for Baptist. “Our colleagues treat many Alzheimer’s patients, so we see firsthand the effect it has on patients and their loved ones. We hope this program helps them and anyone else who has been affected by the disease.”

For a complete tour schedule or to make reservations, please visit www.brooksmuseum.org.

One such advance is minimally invasive joint replacement, according to Dr. Westrich, who is an associate professor of orthopedic surgery. This newer technique achieves the same goal as the standard operation, but with a three- or four-inch incision, as opposed to 12 or 14 inches. The operation entails replacing the painful arthritic joint with a fully functioning hip or knee implant.

“This is a major advance. Aside from the better cosmetic result, the smaller incision results in less pain, a quicker recovery, a shorter hospital stay and easier physical therapy,” Dr. Westrich explains. “Mini-incision” joint replacement requires a high level of skill and training, and generally only highly specialized orthopedic surgeons perform the procedure.

Some patients with severe hip arthritis may qualify for a newer procedure called “hip resurfacing”, which conserves more bone than total hip replacement, according to Dr. Westrich. Unlike a total hip replacement, in which the entire hip joint is removed, the newer procedure resurfaces the joint, much like a dentist would cap a tooth. The worn cartilage and damaged first layer of bone are removed and a new metal surface is installed. Dr. Westrich says hip resurfacing generally allows patients to engage in higher levels of activity after the surgery and recuperation. Not all patients qualify for hip resurfacing, though, and the proper diagnosis is key. The best candidates tend to be patients under 65 with debilitating arthritis, but active older patients with good bone quality may also be eligible.

For patients with severe knee pain from arthritis, a partial knee replacement may be possible. Less extensive than total joint replacement, it is appropriate for patients whose arthritis is limited to just one area of their knee. “Patients who qualify for a partial joint replacement experience less pain right after surgery, have a quicker recovery and rehabilitation, and have a shorter hospital stay,” Dr. Westrich says. “Yet the procedure completely relieves arthritis pain and allows patients to return to activities they were forced to give up. Another advantage is that it preserves the normal bone and cartilage in the rest of the knee that would typically be replaced in a total joint procedure.”

When choosing an orthopedic surgeon and hospital for joint replacement, patients should make sure the physician specializes in this type of surgery and is highly experienced in the procedure, Dr. Westrich advises. A wealth of information about joint replacement is available at the web site: www.westrichmd.com. Anyone wishing to make an appointment with Dr. Westrich can call 212-606-1510.

Since treating its first patient in early 2007, the XCell-Center has emerged as Europe’s leading stem cell therapy provider. Now, patients from all over the world visit the XCell-Center seeking treatment for spinal cord injury, diabetes, cerebral palsy, heart disease, autism, various eye diseases and other neurological disorders like stroke and Parkinson’s. Many of them have experienced remarkable improvements following treatment.

The treatment process consists of three steps: bone marrow collection, laboratory processing and stem cell implantation.

On the first day, bone marrow is collected from the patient’s iliac crest (hip bone) using thin-needle mini-puncture under local or general anesthesia (mainly in children). The entire procedure normally takes about 30 minutes. Each patient is treated with his or her own stem cells.

The next day, the stem cells are processed from the bone marrow in a state-of-the-art, government approved (cGMP) laboratory. In the lab, sophisticated analytical instruments measure both the quantity and quality of the stem cells.

On the third day, the stem cells are implanted using a variety of methods, each designed to optimize placement of the cells as safely and closely as possible to the damaged organ or tissue.

Lumbar Puncture – Stem cells are injected into the spinal fluid under local or general anesthesia to treat neurological diseases/disorders in the brain and the spinal cord.

Surgical Implantation – Stem cells are implanted directly into the brain under general anesthesia using MRI/PET/CT mapping and a high tech navigation system allowing the cells to be placed with the highest accuracy while minimizing the risks.

Neuro-endoscopic Autologous Stem Cell Implantation (NEASCI™) – Stem cells are implanted under general anesthesia into the cerebral fluid space(s) using a mini-endoscope and catheter with MRI/PET/CT mapping.

Angiography – Stem cells are implanted into the pancreatic artery for diabetes or the coronary arteries for heart disease using a fine wire (catheter) under local anesthesia.

Direct Injection – Stem cells are injected directly into the target tissue such as leg muscles for neuropathy or the joint(s) for arthritis.

Intravenous Injection – When other implantation methods are not possible due to safety considerations or the damage is diffuse, the stem cells can be injected into the bloodstream intravenously.

“Now, I am walking like I was before I had Parkinson’s and my shaking is more under control,” said Jon Andresen about five months after his treatment.

“… we started noticing changes in Christopher’s speech pattern. Until then he only spoke in fragmented sentences but now he has begun talking in complete sentences,” noted the mother of a 13 year-old boy who was first treated at the XCell-Center for cerebral palsy in August, 2008.

Patients who are interested in stem cell therapy at the XCell-Center can start by completing the Medical Information Form online: http://www.xcell-center.com/request-information.aspx