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Senior Helpers
By Bethany64 at Citysearch March 20, 2012
Senior Helpers helped my mom about two years ago. At the time my mom was just getting out of the hospital and was very weak. She had just had all her medicines switched around and was not strong enough to take care of herself. The owner came out and met with us personally and explained their program. We hired them to help mom with making meals, assisting with her shower, to make sure she did her new medications properly and to take her to all her follow up doctors appointments. Her caregiver was wonderful. They helped mom for about 3 months till she got back on her feet. Two weeks ago my mom had a fall and back in the hospital she went. When she came home she again was shakey and I felt worried to leave her alone all day. I called Senior Helpers and not only did they completely remember a mom but the owner Fran came right over to check on her and had genuine concern. She had a caregiver for my mom that day. My Mom felt so safe and comfortable. I know she is in great hands and will be well cared for. I highly recommend them to anyone.\t\n ...read more
Senior Helpers
By Misty Dudeck October 29, 2011
Senior Helpers has done a great job taking care of my Mom. The staff is really friendly and patient. They really know how to listen and work with seniors. We have used 2 caregivers from this service and they have both been excellent. They were very well trained and proffesional. Could not be happier. ...read more
Senior Helpers
By Ranee October 25, 2010
I have been very happy with the caregiver Senior Helpers provided for my Dad. She has taken amazing care of him and has gotten him out of the house doing things again. Before he just sat in front of the TV doing nothing. Senior Helpers matched him up with someone he enjoys spending time with and he actually looks forward to there visit. ...read more
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10 Things You Should Know About Writing a Will
Who inherits the good silver is just the beginning. by: Brett Widness | from: AARP | September 30, 2010 Writing a will isn't the most pleasant of tasks. After all, by doing so you're not only acknowledging your own inevitable demise but actively planning for it. That might explain why so many adults avoid this cornerstone of estate planning. According to an AARP survey, 2 out of 5 Americans over the age of 45 don't have a will. But creating a will is one of the most critical things you can do for your loved ones. Putting your wishes on paper helps your heirs avoid unnecessary hassles, and you gain the peace of mind knowing that a life's worth of possessions will end up in the right hands. "A will is an important way you can stay in control over who gets what of your property," says Sally Hurme, an attorney with AARP, "and by planning in advance you can also save your family time and money." The laws governing wills vary from state to state. If you aren't familiar with them, consider consulting a knowledgeable lawyer or estate planner in your area. Before you do, brush up on these 10 things you should know about writing a will. What is a will? A will is simply a legal document in which you, the testator, declare who will manage your estate after you die. Your estate can consist of big, expensive things such as a vacation home but also small items that might hold sentimental value such as photographs. The person named in the will to manage your estate is called the executor because he or she executes your stated wishes. A will can also serve to declare who you wish to become the guardian for any minor children or dependents, and who you want to receive specific items that you own — Aunt Sally gets the silver, Cousin Billy the bone china, and so on. Someone designated to receive any of your property is called a "beneficiary." Some types of property, including certain insurance policies and retirement accounts, generally aren't covered by wills. You should've listed beneficiaries when you took out the policies or opened the accounts. Check if you can't remember, and make sure you keep beneficiaries up to date, since what you have on file when you die should dictate who receives those assets. What happens if I die without a will? If you die without a valid will, you'll become what's called intestate. That usually means your estate will be settled based on the laws of your state that outline who inherits what. Probate is the legal process of transferring the property of a deceased person to the rightful heirs. Since no executor was named, a judge appoints an administrator to serve in that capacity. An administrator also will be named if a will is deemed to be invalid. All wills must meet certain standards such as being witnessed to be legally valid. Again, requirements vary from state to state. An administrator will most likely be a stranger to you and your family, and he or she will be bound by the letter of the probate laws of your state. As such, an administrator may make decisions that wouldn't necessarily agree with your wishes or those of your heirs. Do I need an attorney to prepare my will? No, you aren't required to hire a lawyer to prepare your will, though an experienced lawyer can provide useful advice on estate-planning strategies such as living trusts. But as long as your will meets the legal requirements of your state, it's valid whether a lawyer drafted it or you wrote it yourself on the back of a napkin. Do-it-yourself will kits are widely available. Conduct an Internet search for "online wills" or "estate planning software" to find options, or check bookstores and libraries for will-writing guides. Your state's departments of aging also might be able to direct you to free or low-cost resources for estate planning. And while you're working on your will, you should think about preparing other essential estate-planning documents. "When you create or update your will, that's also a good time to think about other advance-planning tools like financial and health care powers of attorney to ensure that your wishes are carried out while you're still alive," says Naomi Karp of AARP's Public Policy Institute. Should my spouse and I have a joint will or separate wills? Estate planners almost universally advise against joint wills, and some states don't even recognize them. Odds are you and your spouse won't die at the same time, and there's probably property that's not jointly held. That's why separate wills make better sense, even though your will and your spouse's will might end up looking remarkably similar. In particular, separate wills allow for each spouse to address issues such as ex-spouses and children from previous relationships. Ditto for property that was obtained during a previous marriage. Be very clear about who gets what. Probate laws generally favor the current spouse. Who should act as a witness to a will? Any person can act as a witness to your will, but you should select someone who isn't a beneficiary. Otherwise there's the potential for a conflict of interest. The technical term is adisinterested witness. Some states require two or more witnesses. If a lawyer drafts your will, he or she shouldn't serve as a witness. Not all states require a will to be notarized, but some do. Check. You may also want to have your witnesses sign what's called a self-proving affidavit in the presence of a notary. This affidavit can speed up the probate process because your witnesses likely won't be called into court by a judge to validate their signatures and the authenticity of the will. Who should I name as my executor? You can name your spouse, an adult child, or another trusted friend or relative as your executor. If your affairs are complicated, it might make more sense to name an attorney or someone with legal and financial expertise. You can also name joint executors, such as your spouse or partner and your attorney. One of the most important things your will can do is empower your executor to pay your bills and deal with debt collectors. Make sure the wording of your will allows for this, and also gives your executor leeway to take care of any related issues that aren't specifically outlined in your will. How do I leave specific items to specific heirs? If you wish to leave certain personal property to certain heirs, indicate as much in your will. In addition, you can create a separate document called a letter of instruction that you should keep with your will. A letter of instruction, which isn't legally binding in some states, can be written more informally than a will and can go into detail about which items go to whom. You can also include specifics about any number of things that will help your executor settle your estate including account numbers, passwords and even burial instructions. Another option is to leave everything to one trusted person who knows your wishes for distributing your personal items. This, of course, is risky because you're relying on this person to honor your intentions without fail. Consider carefully. Where should I keep my will? A probate court usually requires your original will before it can process your estate, so it's important to keep the document safe yet accessible. If you put the will in a bank safe deposit box that only you can get into, your family might need to seek a court order to gain access. A waterproof and fireproof safe in your house is a good alternative. Your attorney or someone you trust should keep signed copies in case the original is destroyed. Signed copies can be used to establish your intentions. However, the absence of an original will can complicate matters, and without it there's no guarantee that your estate will be settled as you'd hoped. How often does a will need to be updated? It's possible that your will may never need to be updated — or you may choose to update it regularly. The decision is yours. Remember, the only version of your will that matters is the most current valid one in existence at the time of your death. With that in mind, you may want to revisit your will at times of major life changes. Think of pivotal moments such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a beneficiary or executor, a significant purchase or inheritance, and so on. Your kids probably won't need guardians named in a will after they're adults, for example, but you might still need to name guardians for disabled dependents. A rule of thumb: Review your will every two or three years to be safe. Who has the right to contest my will? Contesting a will refers to challenging the legal validity of all or part of the document. A beneficiary who feels slighted by the terms of a will might choose to contest it. Depending on which state you live in, so too might a spouse, ex-spouse or child who believes your stated wishes go against local probate laws. A will can be contested for any number of other reasons: it wasn't properly witnessed; you weren't competent when you signed it; or it's the result of coercion or fraud. It's usually up to a probate judge to settle the dispute. The key to successfully contesting a will is finding legitimate legal fault with it. A clearly drafted and validly executed will is the best defense. http://www.aarp.org/money/estate-planning/info-09-2010/ten_things_you_should_know_about_writing_a_will.2.html "Learn About Senior In Home Health Care in Reno and Sparks, Nevada Senior Helpers Provides Many services in the Reno and Sparks, Nevada area. We provide a full array of Home Care services for seniors and the elderly living in this beautiful area. Our Home Care Services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a National Background check. If you need Home Care services in Carson City, Cold Springs, Fallon, Fernley, Galena, Gardnerville, Golden Valley, Incline Village, Lemmon Valley, Minden, Mogul, North Valleys, Panther Valley, Pleasant Valley, Red Rock, Reno, Spanish Springs, Sparks, Stead, Sun Valley, Verdi, Virginia City, Washoe Valley, and the surrounding areas we are an excellent choice with impeccable references. Home Health Care for your elderly loved ones is never an easy choice but we can promise we will do our best to make it as painless as possible. From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for considering Senior Helpers of Reno and Sparks Home Health Care Company. " ...read more
By Senior Helpers October 29, 2010
Elderly at greater risk for fire related deaths
October 14th, 2010 3:03 pm ET Americans over the age of 65 are one of the groups at greatest risk of dying in a fire. People over the age of 80 die in fires at a rate three times higher than the rest of the population. Many steps can be implemented to reduce becoming a fire casualty. Older Americans are at risk for fire death and injuries for a number of reasons: · They may be less able to take the quick action necessary in a fire emergency. · They may be on medication that affects their ability to make quick decisions. · Many older people live alone and when accidents happen others may not be around to help. Fire Hazards that affect older people: · Cooking accidents are the leading cause of fire related injuries for older Americans. The kitchen is one of the most active and potentially dangerous rooms in the home. · The unsafe use of smoking materials is the leading cause of fire deaths among older Americans. · Heating equipment is responsible for a big share of fires in seniors' homes. Extra caution should be used with alternate heaters such as wood stoves or electric space heaters. · Faulty wiring is another major cause of fires affecting the elderly. Older homes can have serious wiring problems, ranging from old appliances with bad wiring to overloaded sockets. Safety Tips for Older Americans · Kitchen Fires - most kitchen fires occur because food is left unattended on the stove or in the oven. If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, take a spoon or potholder with you to remind you to return to the kitchen. Never cook with loose, dangling sleeves that can ignite easily. Heat cooking oils gradually and use extra caution when deep-frying. If a fire breaks out in a pan, put a lid on the pan. Never throw water on a grease fire. Never use a range or stove to heat your home. · Space Heaters - buy only Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approved heaters. Use only the manufacturer's recommended fuel for each heater. Do not use electric space heaters in the bathroom or around other wet areas. Do not dry or store objects on top of your heater. Keep combustibles away from heat sources. · Smoking - do not leave smoking materials unattended. Use "safety ashtrays" with wide lips. Empty all ashtrays into the toilet or a metal container every night before going to bed. Never smoke in bed. · Smoke alarms -dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. Practice a home escape plan at least every 6 months with your family or neighbors. http://www.examiner.com/senior-care-in-national/elderly-at-greater-risk-for-fire-related-deaths "Learn About Senior In Home Health Care in Reno and Sparks, Nevada Senior Helpers Provides Many services in the Reno and Sparks, Nevada area. We provide a full array of Home Care services for seniors and the elderly living in this beautiful area. Our Home Care Services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a National Background check. If you need Home Care services in Carson City, Cold Springs, Fallon, Fernley, Galena, Gardnerville, Golden Valley, Incline Village, Lemmon Valley, Minden, Mogul, North Valleys, Panther Valley, Pleasant Valley, Red Rock, Reno, Spanish Springs, Sparks, Stead, Sun Valley, Verdi, Virginia City, Washoe Valley, and the surrounding areas we are an excellent choice with impeccable references. Home Health Care for your elderly loved ones is never an easy choice but we can promise we will do our best to make it as painless as possible. From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for considering Senior Helpers of Reno and Sparks Home Health Care Company. " ...read more
By Senior Helpers October 22, 2010
Backup eldercare helps caregivers
Backup eldercare helps caregivers balance work and family responsibilitiesBy Lydell C. BridgefordJune 1, 2008When UPS employee Diane Davies needed help in taking care of her dad, who is in his 80s, a coworker told her to try Senior Helpers, a service provider that offers backup eldercare.Like what you see? Click here to sign up for Employee Benefit News daily newsletter to get the latest news and important insight into trends in benefits management."My mom had gone into the hospital to have an operation, and during the procedure she had a stroke," says Davies, who works at UPS's airline division in Louisville, Ky.Her mother, also in her 80s, went into rehabilitation. "During that time, my dad really couldn't stay at home by himself, so my brother and I had to stay with him, but I also had to work," explains Davies, who didn't take the traditional route of contacting her employee assistance program for eldercare advice.Davies' experience at UPS reflects how employers are recognizing that workers who are caring for an aging relative need an array of options to successfully manage professional and family responsibilities. Yet in offering eldercare programs and services, employers may sometimes struggle in communicating those efforts to their workforce.Spreading the wordEven though companies have eldercare programs and services, employees do not always know about them, says Kathleen O'Brien, senior gerontologist with MetLife Mature Market Institute.The Connecticut-based institute, which studies retirement and aging issues, conducted a survey of employees who were caregivers that worked at three Fortune 500 companies offering robust eldercare benefits."Two-thirds of the respondents did not know that the employer had those programs," says O'Brien."The company may announce the services, but people are not thinking about them when they are announced, and when they become a caregiver, it's not upfront anymore."The implication for employers is to increase employees' knowledge about eldercare services. Citing research from the Society for Human Resource Management, O'Brien says about 11% of employers train their middle managers about caregiving programs and how to work with employees using those services.Research from the institute also shows nearly 63% of all caregivers ages 51 to 64 work, with most employed full-time. About 75% of them are the primary caregiver. In addition, male and female children of aging parents alter their work schedules to accommodate caregiving responsibilities.For instance, 54% of men and 56% of women have modified their work schedules, with 78% of men and 84% of women coming in late and/or leaving early. In addition, 38% of men and 27% of women have altered their work-related travel.Bottom-line implicationsMore employers are starting to understand the financial toll eldercare may have on their bottom line, O'Brien confirms.In 2006, the MetLife Mature Market Institute and the National Alliance for Caregiving reported that U.S. companies pay between $17.1 billion and $33.6 billion annually in lost productivity due to caregiving, depending on the level of caregiving involved. That equals $2,110 for every full-time worker who cares for an adult relative, notes AARP.Historically, most eldercare services offered in the workplace resembled the childcare benefit model in terms of offering information and referrals to agencies that could help workers who were caregivers.Some companies have moved to a more sophisticated model in which they provide a care management visit, where a long-term care specialist talks with the family to sort out the caregiving issues, explains O'Brien. What's more, some employers have onsite support groups, while others provide substantive resource materials written by caregiving experts."We don't really think of flextime as specifically for eldercare, but the ability [to take a] leave of absence without it impacting your job, and the ability to arrange your schedule in a different way, are benefits that help people deal with eldercare," she says.Lending a helping handMaryland-based Senior Helpers provides in-home personal and companion care for seniors. This includes help with housework, meal preparation, errands, transportation, medicine reminders and Alzheimer's care.UPS, which employs about 358,000 U.S. workers, offers an employee discount program where it collaborates with companies that provide group discounts on services and products, including Senior Helpers."Employees who may have the need to use Senior Helpers for services are offered a discount through Senior Helpers," says Jackie Blair, a UPS spokeswoman.In Davies' case, it was a 10% discount on services rendered for a week. "It went smoothly, but more then anything, it took a lot of pressure off me in terms of work and taking care of my dad," says Davies, who has been with the package delivery company for 15 years. She is part of its administrative staff in the international support unit."I felt like he was being taken care of. He is at the point where, if something were to go wrong with the services, he would be able to tell me," Davies explains. "I never felt, as a caregiver, I was under a lot of pressure to retain my job." Management has been accommodating, she adds.As the population ages, more people will start to have loved ones who are living longer. Consequently, they will need some extra help in taking care of those individuals, says Tony Bonacuse, president of Senior Helpers."We want to help employers understand the cost associated with eldercare crises and what workers who are caregivers are going through," he explains.The idea for the company originated, in part, by watching his mother, who was working part-time, struggle to find professional help to assist her with taking care of one grandmother with a broken ankle and another one with a hip replacement. Both women were in their 80s."Unless you have had a need for homecare, you really do not realize our industry exists outside of the general health care industry," Bonacuse adds."In a lot of respects, senior care has been an underground issue," says Cindy Carrillo, president of Colorado-based Work Options Group, which offers backup care for infants, school-aged children and seniors."When someone has a baby, employers see the process unfold, and then the employee has the baby and pictures to show for it. You don't talk about mom falling and breaking a hip," she adds. "We're trying to help educate employers that senior care is a concern."http://ebn.benefitnews.com/news/backup-eldercare-helps-caregivers-balance-work-586401-1.html ...read more
By Senior Helpers September 22, 2010