Posted on: Tuesday, January 11, 2005
HELP DESK
Net can aid search for senior care
By Kim Komando
Before the Internet, finding housing for the elderly was often done through word of mouth or the phone book. Now you can do much of the preliminary work online.
Scores of Web sites include information about senior housing, but after taking a look at a few, you might find yourself overloaded with information. Focus your research on three areas: types of facilities, location and financing.
Senior housing does not necessarily mean a nursing home. There are retirement communities for those 55 and older who lead active lifestyles. Seniors who need some help with shopping, dressing and bathing should look into assisted-living facilities, and you'll want to check into nursing homes for elderly loved ones that need round-the-clock medical care.
The Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging provides an excellent overview on independent, assisted-living and nursing facilities. Web sites run by the AARP and Senior Resource have more detailed information, including how to choose a facility. For more, see:
Location is also important. Some regions, states and municipalities have more programs and benefits for seniors than others. The Retirement Living Information Center (www.retirementliving.com) provides tax information, a guide to state aging agencies and resource materials for free. Additional information and resources are available for a lifetime membership fee of $20.
Medicare's nursing home locator (snipurl.com/7djv) lists facilities, number of beds and ownership information. When your life is in someone else's hands, you'll obviously want the best care possible. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (www.carf.org) is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body. It assigns four levels of accreditation to adult day services as well as assisted, independent and nursing facilities. Any kind of care is expensive. Federal and state governments provide assistance for long-term care. Medicare will cover nursing or home healthcare in some cases, but the majority of people who can't afford long-term care fall under the Medicaid program.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program. Each state has different eligibility requirements. The Web site run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides local contacts to help you cut through the red tape at www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/consumer.asp.
Once you have narrowed your choices, it's time to visit the different facilities. This is often an emotional experience, and it's easy to forget pertinent questions. ElderWeb (www.elderweb.com/?PageID=2804) has an extensive checklist that compares up to three facilities on services, safety, costs and other criteria.
The Internet is a great resource of information, but it should be coupled with personal sources. Talk to doctors, nurses and volunteers at your local senior center. Each state has an ombudsman program that acts as an advocate for long-term care. Your local ombudsman (www.ltcombudsman.org/static_pages/ombudsmen.cfm) can provide personal assistance and information in a way the Internet cannot.
