Another option: find a caregiver online
Thanks to the internet, finding a caregiver privately is easier than ever. Instead of wading through the local paper or taking out advertisements, some websites now offer online services that match clients with caregivers.Online services are similar to an agency’s, but are generally less expensive. Private caregiving is not covered by Medicare, however, and sometimes not by long-term... READ MORE
Many sources provide home care workers
Home care providers can come from a variety of sources — whether agencies, direct hire, or through online services. Here are descriptions of the differences between various types of home care agencies.Home health agenciesThe term home health agency often indicates that a home care provider is Medicare-certified. A Medicare-certified agency has met federal minimum requirements for... READ MORE
Caregivers bring help and peace of mind
At 95, Jose Vargas is still very active — despite the dialysis he receives three times a week and his wobbly gait.“I am not an invalid,” he insists. In fact, on a good day, he goes for walks and swims for exercise.Vargas credits his certified nursing assistant (CNA), Yvonne Oldacre, with his continued activity. He found her through the home care agency ElderCaring, where... READ MORE
How to find and hire a reliable handyman
Dear Savvy Senior:What’s the best way to find a good handyman or tradesman to do some work around the house? I’ve had some bad luck lately with unprofessional workers who do shoddy work and charge too much.— Frustrated SeniorDear Frustrated:Hiring a good home repair handyman can be a bit of a crapshoot. How do you find someone who will return your calls, show up on time,... READ MORE
Don’t wait to check out assisted living
Late last summer, William Senior, of Reston, Va., put down $2,000 to get on a waitlist for a two-bedroom assisted-living apartment at a nearby continuing care retirement community for himself and his wife.His children had urged their parents to move into assisted living, a step between independent living and nursing-home care, ever since their 85-year-old mother, Lorraine, began requiring... READ MORE
Stand up for your rights under Medicare
Home health coverage can be a crucial benefit for Medicare beneficiaries who have just been discharged from the hospital or who struggle with a chronic condition and have difficulty leaving home. But taking advantage of this benefit can be a real challenge. Medicare covers in-home services, including skilled nursing and physical therapy. For eligible patients, there’s generally no... READ MORE
How to rent your home for fun and profit
Beth Everett and her husband, Glenn, built a cottage in their backyard in 2014 for their son Jordan to live in when he’s home from college. But while the studio sits empty, visitors to Portland, Ore., can rent the cozy space through Airbnb for $99 a night. Fox Lair, as it’s known, offers heated floors, a small sitting area decked out with guitars and bongos, and plenty of... READ MORE
Sometimes, the residents run the show
Dawn Strumsky, 70, and husband John, 76, spend much of their “spare” time hosting television talk shows at the in-house TV station at Charlestown retirement community in Catonsville, where they have lived since 2011.Betty Meyers, 91, arranges weekly Sabbath services at Weinberg Senior Living in Owings Mills, her home for 11 years. online pharmacy buy cymbalta online with... READ MORE
Caregivers bring help and peace of mind
Bruce Goodman is the business development manager of Genesis SelectCare, but he recently found himself in the position of needing what SelectCare provides — home care, in his case, for his mother-in-law who was injured when she fell out of bed.“We’ve had a caregiver eight hours a day, five days a week, and it has been so valuable both for my mother-in-law and for our... READ MORE
Ways to keep your home cool in summer
As summer temperatures — and utility bills — rise, there are some easy ways to keep cool that are cheaper and greener than air conditioning.Cooling curtainsPull down the shades or draw the curtains on windows facing south, east and west during the day, said Con Edison, which provides power to New York City and surrounding areas. It said 40 percent of unwanted heat comes in... READ MORE
