One Stop Shopping For Eldercare Services

A fast growing generation of elderly people needing care is starting to put a great deal of pressure on care giving family members. More and more we are seeing articles and books about the burden of long term care on families.

According to research by the National Care Planning Council, only about 16% of long term care services are covered by the government. The other 84% are provided free of charge by family care givers or provided by services paid out of pocket by families or from those receiving care. The council also estimates that at any given time approximately 22% of the population over age 65 is receiving some form of long term care support. About 44.4 million adult care givers provide 21 hours a week of care with 4.3 years average time spent providing care.

The need for care usually occurs without warning, when a stroke, heart failure of other medical condition or illness incident to age suddenly happens to a aging senior. Family members end up in panic mode trying to understand and educate themselves on what needs to be done and what resources are available. If they need to take time from work to handle the crisis then it becomes urgent to find answers and solve care giving needs. The need to balance work with urgent care giving responsibilities creates untold stress on employed family care givers.

Most family care givers simply don't know where to turn for help and advice. Long term care services are complicated and provider contacts are fragmented throughout the community. For the majority of Americans, elder care becomes a frustrating do it yourself process How do you find out what government services are available and what they will pay for? /what legal documents are necessary and how do you protect assets? What type of home Care or facility care is needed? Should you quit your job to become the care giver? Will the government or insurance pay you for care giving to help you replace your lost income?

There are many places to find out the information you need to know. Perhaps the best is your State Area Agency on Aging. They have a wealth of information and in many states counselors

to help you work your way through the system.

I am more than willing to provide advice to Arizona residents who are seeking information about the various options and reimbursement systems that are in place. You can post a comment or e-mail me at TRF649@aol.com. But the truth of the matter is that programs and reimbursement systems are different from state to state.