Help for Seniors and Family Caregivers
Local resources for seniors are out there — here’s a roadmap for tracking them down
Shakespeare is thought to have coined the phrase “Youth is full of pleasure, age is full of care.” He lived at a time when assistance was tough to come by; these days, seniors and their loved ones who care for them can get step-by-step help with assessing health and care needs and arranging assistance — and make sure that everyone stays as independent, active and healthy as possible. Here’s an overview of useful resources and helpful tips from experts at local agencies that specialize in serving seniors.
Online Resources on Healthy Aging
For info on a full range of senior services and referrals in San Francisco, Marin County and the Peninsula, visit the Institute on Aging.
- For helpful guides to dealing with a variety of aging-related issues, visit the AARP Web site.
- Get contact info for local eldercare agencies, pose questions to information specialists in online chats, trade tips with caregivers and more at the Department of Health and Human Services’ Eldercare Locator.
- To learn about programs for seniors that may pay some costs of prescription drugs, healthcare, utilities and more, visit BenefitsCheckUp.
- Go to the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform for a publication called How to Choose a Nursing Home, which spells out what to look for in a nursing home. A checklist helps you to compare facilities.
Get Expert Help
A time-saving first step, especially if the situation is complicated, is contacting a geriatric care manager, a person who knows exactly how to figure out what’s needed, as well as what corresponding resources are available. Typically, these experts have a specialty in gerontology, social work or nursing.
Care managers can help arrange home care, transportation, meals, coordination of medical care and more. They can also provide information about residential facilities if needed. Paying out of pocket for a care manager’s services is always an option, but long-term care insurance may pick up the tab. Medi-Cal recipients are eligible to receive this professional guidance at no charge.
Following are good sources for tracking down a geriatric care manager:
- National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers: Visit the Web site to use its “Find a Care Manager” feature at the top left.
- California Area Agencies on Aging: Call 800.510.2020 or visit the Web site to find care managers in your area.
Need a Hand Around the House?
According to the Institute on Aging in San Francisco, 90 percent of U.S. adults would rather live at home for their entire lives. Often, an in-home caregiver can help make that happen. The most important thing to remember when hiring a caregiver is keeping the senior involved in the process as much as possible. What kind of personality does he or she want in a caregiver? What kind of personal involvement would be appropriate to the senior’s privacy needs? Does he or she want someone to talk to or someone who will simply take care of business?
Also, make a list of the needed services and determine how much time will be needed to perform them. Is someone needed around the clock or is a few hours per day sufficient?
Agencies that employ caregivers provide background checks, training and supervision, as well as handle payments, taxes and insurance. If you hire someone on your own, the price may be lower, but you are responsible for screening the caregiver.
For a useful online resource for finding a homecare provider agency, visit the National Private Duty Association Web site to use the “Member Locator”. Note: Seniors on Medi-Cal may be eligibe for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). For more info, visit the San Francisco In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority Web site.
Taking Care of the Caregiver
If you’re the caregiver, your health and well-being are crucial. Even though the stress of taking care of an aging family member or friend may make you want to load up on carbs and vegetate, remember to eat well and exercise so you can stay physically and mentally strong.
To make sure you get a break, develop a plan for affordable respite care. You could ask family or friends to fill in for you occasionally, or you might try forming a respite co-op. Or look for adult day care centers in your area.
Also, make a list of the daily tasks you are responsible for and try to figure out if there’s any way you can delegate certain ones to someone else. In the same vein, make sure you stay connected to the significant others in your life. They’ll help you manage stress and keep things in a healthy perspective.
For Seniors: A Local Guide to Staying Active
- Staying active helps to keep seniors healthy, researchers say. All sorts of exercise programs for seniors are available in the Bay Area; before you begin, consult your doctor.
- In San Francisco, look for the Always Active exercise and wellness program for seniors. For a list of locations, go to the Exercise and Wellness Program for Seniors Web site.
- Marin County offers classes through rec and senior centers; call 415.457.4636.
- Check offerings from ballroom dance to tai chi at Berkeley and Oakland senior centers. For Berkeley listings, call 510.981.5400. For Oakland listings, call 510.238.3121.
