Financial documents“Financial information can be crucial in many instances for timely, efficient, and more affordable care,” says Stuart Furman, elder care attorney in Valley Center, CA. Show
For example, a senior applying for certain benefits is required to demonstrate their financial need and will have to provide comprehensive documentation of past and present finances. “If a family member cannot locate important documents like tax returns or bank account information, it could delay care or even cause a senior to be denied insurance like Medicaid or veterans benefits,” says Tiffany Wise, senior director of customer development at A Place for Mom. Keep track of these important financial documents:
Health care documentsRegardless of health status, it’s vital that your loved one’s preferences be stated clearly in a living will. A health care proxy is a document where your loved one can name a person or persons to make medical decisions for them when they can’t. A living will together with a health care proxy can ensure that your loved one’s general wishes and care instructions regarding life support, the donation of organs, and other medical issues will be followed. These are also known as advance directives. Let our care assessment guide youOur free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation. When taking your older parent to a hospital, doctors may want documented proof that you’re the decision maker. They may ask for documentation of your loved one’s durable power of attorney or advance directives. This is when having official paperwork handy becomes important: Having it close can eliminate any additional stress for a smoother hospital visit. Furthermore, ready access to a senior’s medical history can be lifesaving during a medical emergency. For example, documentation about the medications they’re currently taking could dramatically influence treatment. Medical records are also necessary when applying for benefits, including VA assistance and Medicaid. They are also needed when moving to a senior living community. Keep track of these important health care documents:
End-of-life and estate planning documentsMaking sure your elderly loved one has estate planning and end-of-life documents, or that they are up-to-date and easily accessible. These documents can save both elderly loved ones and their children the burden of added stress during a difficult time. Without these documents, families can be thrown into unnecessary legal and financial chaos. When it comes to end-of-life and estate planning, you and your aging parent should consult with a lawyer who specializes in elder law to help ensure everything is thoroughly taken care of. Keep track of these essential end-of-life and estate planning documents:
Miscellaneous documentsMarriage certificates and military records are required when applying for VA benefits such as Aid and Attendance and are also required in applications for many kinds of state and federal assistance. Seniors may even need their birth certificates. For example, some states require people to have a photo ID for everything from airline travel to voting in an election. If a senior doesn’t have a photo ID, a birth certificate is usually needed. Keep track of these miscellaneous important papers:
Tips on storing important documentsIt’s not enough to merely have these legal documents for aging parents — they need to be accessible. Experts recommend important documents be added to a master folder or box. The folder should be kept in a safe place, like a fire-proof safe. Going paperless is another option for having easy access to legal documents seniors should have. You can scan them onto your computer, name them accordingly, and store them using an external hard drive or cloud storage service. This way, you can send over documents with ease when required. Keep in mind, a digital copy will not always work, as some documents must be presented in physical form. Regardless of how you choose to store legal documents for your aging parents, it’s important to keep them safe and organized. Take time to find a system that works best between your senior and their loved ones, so you all easily find the right documents when needed. When communicating with an elderly patient it is important to remember that?Listen without interrupting the patient. Speak slowly, clearly and loudly. Use short, simple words and sentences. Stick to one topic at a time.
When you are communicating with an older patient it is important to remember that quizlet?When communicating with an older patient, it is important to remember that: age-related changes diminish the effectiveness of the eyes and ears.
What approach should you take to be sure you are accurately counting a patient's respirations?How do I count a person's respirations?. Look at his or her chest rise and fall. One rise and one fall are counted as 1 breath.. Listen to his or her breaths.. Place your hand on the person's chest to feel the rise and fall.. Where is the best location to palpate a pulse on a conscious nine month old patient?The best spot to feel the pulse in an infant is the upper am, called the brachial pulse. Lay your baby down on the back with one arm bent so the hand is up by the ear.
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