My loved one is becoming more forgetful. Are they developing Alzheimer’s?
No, not necessarily. A decline or change in mental status is often assumed to be a normal result of aging in seniors. This is untrue. Mental changes are caused by a variety of things, some of which are reversible such as medication interactions, a lack of oxygen, a sleep disorder, or a brain injury. Q4 Care Managers are skilled medical professionals: registered nurses and social workers  with specialized geriatric care training. Our geriatric care managers are experts in assessing, identifying and working with physicians to determine medical cause in seniors. Your Q4 geriatric care manager will strategically create an action plan with you and help you to put it into place. We work with you every step of the way, so that your loved one obtains maximum functioning and an enhanced quality of life and you have less to worry about.

My loved one had a stroke with lasting effects. Should they go into a Nursing Home?
No, not necessarily. Nursing Home placement should be a last result for our loved ones. Often times adaptive equipment and moderate changes to the home can make it safe for your loved one to live happily at home. Your Q4 Care Managers are experts in evaluating your loved one’s functional abilities and their current home environment. We can help you choose the best home-care services for an elderly or disabled family member. Not incurring the cost of a nursing home is one example of how we help you to save money. If it is determined that your loved one is not safe at home, we can help create a safe environment or research an alternative safe environment while maintaining optimum independence. We help your loved ones maximize their quality of life which will ultimately lessen stress for everyone and improve family relationships.

I live far away from my parents and I can tell that things are changing. How can I know if they are safe and healthy?
Many people come to us because they are concerned about their parent’s or spouse’s well-being and general health. Your Q4 Care Manager acts as the eyes and ears for families whose loved ones live far away. We investigate your concerns by evaluating your loved one to determine their health status, safety risks, existing home environment and communicate the results to you. We make medical appointments when necessary, attend medical appointments and follow through to make sure that doctors’ orders are understood and being followed correctly. We are very respectful of our client’s needs and desires as well as their families’ concerns.

We give you peace of mind and we help your loved one maximize their quality of life.

What are the differences between a Continuing Care Retirement Community, an Assisted Living Facility, Adult Daycare, Independent Living Facility, and a Nursing Home?
The main difference in each of these housing options created for senior care or adult children with disabilities, is the level of services provided and the number of amenities available:

Independent living facilities are most often individual condominiums or apartments providing a community environment with a great deal of amenities and the most independence. Amenities offered are high quality and varied. Personal Care Services, if available are an additional cost.

Adult Daycare is a great alternative for families whose senior or disabled loved one needs structure and supervision while the family is at work. Adult Daycare provides basic personal care, medication management and social activities in a group setting, that are appropriate for seniors and those with disabilities in a secure environment. Adult Daycare facilities usually operate five days a week, some offer respite care for short periods of time.

Assisted living facilities are a perfect blend for many seniors as they age. These senior care facilities are usually apartment-based communities where each individual has his or her own apartment offering a great deal of independence and yet they provide the personal care services many seniors need. Meals are often offered in a communal dining room.

Nursing Homes are the most structured of all the senior living choices. These facilities provide total care for your loved one and their care is overseen by licensed personnel. They provide security and most nursing homes offer specialized dementia or Alzheimer’s units.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities offer independent living, assisted living, and nursing home services all within the same environment. These senior care facilities are often the most costly but offer the most choice and the most amenities. Before selecting an elder care living facility for yourself or your loved one, a thorough assessment of abilities, needs and desires should be performed.

Respite Care: Everyone needs a break from their responsibilities. If you don’t take care of yourself, then you can’t give good care to someone you love. Q4 geriatric care managers help caregivers coordinate all aspects of their loved one’s care so that they can rejuvenate during weekends and vacations. We research the most qualified facility for your loved one: home health agency, nursing home, assisted living residence or board-and-care home that accept short-term residents. We keep you informed while you are away so that you can rest-assured that your loved one is receiving excellent care.

Q4 Care Managers can help evaluate which housing option is the best choice for you and your loved one.

Will Medicare pay for my friend or family member to have a personal attendant come in and help them bathe and dress?
The short answer is – it depends. Medicare will provide a personal attendant to come into the home to assist with personal care activities if they also need and qualify for skilled nursing care. Specific limitations exist surrounding these services such as the services must be intermittent, cannot exceed 28 hours a week, and cannot be provided every day. Even if you qualify, services are provided for a limited time.Your Q4 Care Manager can help you understand and navigate the Medicare and Home Health system. Just give us a call for a free consultation, we’re here to help you.

I need long-term help, will Medicare or Medicaid pay for it? What if my loved one makes too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to cover medical expenses. What can we do?
Medicare will pay for skilled nursing services and personal care for a limited time after meeting specific qualifications. Medicaid is for seniors who have limited assets and limited income, which varies from state to state. If your aging or disabled loved one meets these qualifications, Medicaid will pay for much of the medical care including nursing home services.

If your loved one makes too much money to qualify for Medicaid and yet cannot pay for all of their medical expenses, they may qualify for their state’s “Spenddown” program. This Medicaid program allows loved ones to qualify for Medicaid after they have spent a specific amount of their own money on medical expenses.

Your Q4 Care Manager can help you understand Medicare and Medicaid programs.

How can a senior care manager help my loved one stay healthy in their home?
Q4 Care Managers are experts in helping seniors and those with disabilities stay in their homes. We successfully accomplish this by performing comprehensive assessments which determine your loved one’s needs, abilities, and desires. An assessment of their home environment and nutritional status is performed. For existing problems or symptoms we identify them, investigate their root cause and intervene to stabilize or reverse them. We provide ongoing monitoring to detect subtle changes in their health status and intervene early to help keep them as safe and healthy as possible. We can also help you choose the best services for senior home health care when needed.

Our experienced Q4 Care Managers offer you peace of mind and solutions to your challenges.

Will my senior care manager keep me informed about what is happening with my friend or family member?
It will depend on whether your loved one chooses to agree to sign a release allowing your Q4 Care Manager to inform you. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law protecting an individual’s right to privacy regarding their health care information. Your loved one decides who we may speak to about their health. They also have the right to change their mind later. If they choose to sign a release, we will be happy to keep you informed about their condition and the care they are receiving. If your loved one refuses to allow us to discuss their health information with you, by law we cannot inform you even if you pay their bill. Q4 Care Managers work very hard to help people see the benefit of working with their health care providers and their families to ensure that they receive the most comprehensive care.

Let us help your family by giving us a call now and finding out how we can help you.

I am concerned about the number of medications my friend or family member is taking and their confusion after seeing so many doctors. What can my care manager do to help them?
Q4 Care Managers are skilled nurses who are experts in ensuring all health care staff involved in your loved one’s care are kept up to date on what the other health care providers are doing and the changes they are recommending. We monitor for changes in symptoms and help evaluate whether the treatment is working. We also monitor for side effects and changes in your loved one’s health. We are the safety net that ensures that everyone involved in caring for your loved one is informed and on the same page. We work closely with these individuals ensuring that your loved one gets optimum care that enhances their quality of life.

How can my care manager help save me money?
Your Q4 Care Manager helps save you money in a variety of ways. Here are a few:

Your Q4 Care Manager is a registered nurse who saves you money by using their medical expertise to prevent a crisis. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s require monitoring to keep health stable. When symptoms appear or get worse many people end up in the hospital. Exasperation of your disease places a burden on your well-being as well as your finances. Consider the example below:

The average cost of hospitalization for heart failure in 2004 was $10,8001, not including the physician’s bill. Medicare requires a $1080 deductible for the hospitalization and a $135 plus 20% of the physician’s bill. This does not include the cost of medications and the cost of follow-up visits to the doctor. Approximate total cost for this hospitalization is $2,300 out of pocket.

Your Q4 Care Manager works to decrease the risk of injury by intervening to prevent falls and other accidents. As we age we lose muscle strength, our vision diminishes and our bones become brittle. Arthritis can affect balance. If a person falls, they are at a high risk for breaking a bone or causing a head injury.

• In 2004, there were more than 320,000 hospital admissions for hip fractures (2)

• One in four adults who lived independently before their hip fracture have to stay in a nursing home for at least a year after their injury (3)

• Almost 1 in 3 (29%) people over 65 who fall and break their hip die within a year (4)

• The most effective way to prevent fall-related injuries, including hip fractures, is to combine exercise with other fall prevention strategies

1 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2006

2,3,4,5 CDC Article – Hip Fractures Among Older Adults 2008