
Why advance care planning is important for you and your loved ones
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reports that from 2002 to 2012, per person personal health care spending for the 65 and older population was $18,988, over five times higher than spending per child ($3,552) and approximately three times the spending per working-age person ($6,632). The elderly only make up approximately 14 percent of the population but represent more than one third of the nation’s healthcare costs; one of the factors behind this disparity may be

How Caregivers Can Make a Top-Notch First Impression with Clients
Nearly every in-home care provider would agree that making a good first impression with a client or patient is vitally important to the relationship. Sometimes, though, that’s easier said than done. That’s why many agencies, such as Amedisys (Nasdaq: AMED), Silverado, 24Hr HomeCare, and Marquis Companies, spend time and money training caregivers how to make positive connections with clients and their families from the outset. Some of their top tips for a good first meeting in

Home Care Costs Rising in Kansas and Missouri
With an increase in needs, higher wage demands, and a number of other factors, the cost of long-term care, at least in Kansas and Missouri, has increased. During the past year, the cost of long-term care in Kansas and Missouri has climbed 5 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively. That trend is only expected to continue as more men and women reach retirement age and begin placing greater demands on these services. As Genworth’s U.S. Life Division CEO David O’Leary stated, “Alth

Giving a Bed Bath: A Step-by-Step Guide
When getting to the shower or tub isn't possible, a bed bath is the only option. When to do a bed bath If the person you're caring for is sedentary or on bed rest, the best approach to bathing may be a bed bath. It sounds simple enough -- you basically wipe her clean with a wet cloth. But in reality, giving a good bed bath is a bit tricky. Giving a bed bath requires you to wash the person's front, sides, and back, not to mention crevasses and folds -- while she's lying down.