Helpful Planning and Tips on Aging
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Planning Today
Few people want to think about aging services, senior living
communities, retirement communities, assisted living communities or
long-term care until they absolutely have to. But oftentimes, the
consequence of poor planning is a rushed decision or an abrupt
placement. Don't wait until an unexpected illness or injury forces you
to consider aging services options.
Crisis planning is not only much more stressful, but it greatly limits
choice due to quick hospital discharges and tight availability. Just
imagine how picky you were when you selected your last home or
apartment, or when you hired a babysitter for your children. The last
thing you want to do is to unknowingly cut your options in half because
you aren't prepared.
As a consumer, the best way to ensure that you will have all options
open to you is to begin planning before you need to. Take a look around
while you have the freedom to and you will do yourself a tremendous
favor.
Another advantage to early planning is that it allows you to pursue your
options at a pace you are comfortable with. After investigating or
touring a number of different services or facilities, you will develop a
better sense of what your needs and preferences are. And because you
have the luxury of time, you will be more likely to find a service or
facility that caters to them.
Furthermore, early planning increases the likelihood that the client or
resident has more of a say in where he or she moves or what type of
assistance they receive. If an elderly person breaks a hip and needs to
transfer directly from the hospital to an aging services facility,
someone else may have to make critical decisions for them. Studies have
shown that retaining choice in care planning increases the likelihood of
better adjustment on the part of the elderly individual.
It is particularly crucial and advantageous to plan early for long-term
care. Assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement
communities, and nursing homes often have waiting lists for admission.
When a living unit opens up, they may offer it to the individuals on
their waiting list before an outside applicant.
If you transfer directly out of a hospital, your placement may be
determined by what facility has an opening on that particular day.
Placing yourself on a waiting list not only betters your chances of
gaining admission to the facility of your choice, but it also makes you
take care of the paperwork and details ahead of time, when you have time
to devote to them and aren't dealing with a stressful crisis. And of
course, investigating the conditions of your care will alert you to
prepare for its financial burdens.
There is absolutely nothing to lose by planning early, and everything to
gain. Just by talking to friends and colleagues, or making a few phone
calls and visits you increase your chances of finding the right fit and
having a positive experience.
Emptying the House: Impossible
Task, or Joyful Rite of Passage?
You may be one of America's 76 million baby-boomers, or one of the
nearly 35 million Americans over the age of 65. You may be a couple, or
a widowed survivor preparing to move from the home in which you raised
your children to an apartment or retirement community, or the adult
child of parents who are making such a move.
Whatever your situation, the inevitable question for many people facing
this task may well be, "What do we do with all that stuff?" Seniors who
move out of the family home into smaller quarters typically need to give
up 60 to 75 percent of their possessions. You may feel you have the
weight of decades of family treasures (and trash!) on your shoulders,
but at least you can be assured that you are not alone.
When the time comes to leave the family home behind, what do you do with
all the things that have accumulated over the years? Where do you begin
and in what order do you work? And how do you get through the experience
in such a way that everyone in the family is still on speaking terms by
the end of it all?
The good news is that, while this job may be a dreaded one, and can be
overwhelming at times, it can also be a poignant, meaningful period in
your life as a family. It can be a time for making meaningful
connections and deepening existing bonds, with plenty of room for
laughter, fond memories, even joy, along the way.
Here are a few suggestions for how to make emptying the house a
positive experience:
Take your time. This means starting sooner
rather than later. (It means, in fact, starting now, even if "starting"
simply means beginning to think and talk about the move.) Starting early
means you'll have plenty of time to talk things over as a family, plan
ahead, and leave time for having some fun. The sooner you start, the
greater your range of options for places to move to, and the more you'll
be able to be actively involved in the process-which means that the
changes you're about to make will be on your terms, not someone else's.
(Even if you plan to stay in your home, you can at least begin to talk
about the eventual disposition of your things so that when the time
comes for your family to deal with it all, they'll have had the benefit
of your counsel and advice.)
Communicate. Talk over your plans with your
family; let them know what your wishes (and your fears) are, and ask
them to share their feelings about what is happening with you. If at all
possible, have a family meeting where everyone involved is present,
before the actual move begins, so that you have a chance to discuss your
plans, and agree as a family on how to approach it. Talk to people who
have been through the experience of emptying a home to find out what
they did right-as well as what they did wrong.
Get help. Nobody can do this job alone, and no
one should try. The process can be daunting physically as well as
emotionally. Talk about it with your family and friends, and decide at
which junctures you may want help. At certain points, help from others
may feel intrusive (when you are sorting through personal mementos or
files, for example); but anyone can help with carting things away once
you've made your decisions. Be sure to enlist the help of family and
friends as well as professionals to help you with the biggest parts of
the job-such as holding a moving or estate sale, and the actual move.
Enjoy the process. Given enough time, this can
be an ideal opportunity for sharing family stories with your children,
getting the chance to hear other versions of the same story from them,
and saving them all for posterity-by writing them down, putting them on
video or audiotape, or simply making sure the next generation hears the
oral tradition. If there's time for the whole family to be together
before you leave, there are lots of ways to celebrate your last
gathering in the house-from planning one last party for family and
friends, to taking pictures in special places, or creating updated
versions of favorite old snapshots.
Let go, and move on! Leaving the family home behind is a
time for tender sentiments, and maybe even a few tears, but it's neither
the end of the world, nor of your life. Many people who have made the
move to smaller, more manageable quarters, even those who were reluctant
to make the move, find that they miss the old place less, and enjoy the
new place more, than they ever could have imagined. It's okay, even
healthy and normal, to allow yourself some sadness, and moments of
poignant nostalgia as you say goodbye to a place that has been the
setting for so many important moments in your life-but it's also a time
to look forward to the rest of your life, and to a new home that holds
unknown pleasures still to come.
By Linda Hetzer and Janet Hulstrand, authors of "Moving On: A Practical
Guide to Downsizing the Family Home" (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2004). To
learn more about the book, visit their website:
www.movingonthebook.com.
Most Americans
Unprepared for Long-Term Care Costs
AARP Survey Finds Misperception and Confusion About Options for
Paying
(December 20, 2001) - Over half (60 percent) of Americans age 45 plus
say they are at least "somewhat familiar" with long-term care services
currently available. But most Americans are uninformed about the costs
of, and funding sources for, long-term care services. Yet the need for
these services is expected to increase in the future.
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau projections, today's 65 or
older population numbers are expected to double to about 70 million in
2030 and the 85 and older population will also nearly double to about
8.5 million.
"With the onset of the aging demographic revolution, it is essential
that the general public not only learn about the long-term care options
but understand their costs, and begin planning for their future care
requirements," said AARP CEO Bill Novelli. "Unfortunately most of us pay
little attention to the cost of such care until we or our loved ones
need it. AARP sees our role as informing and assisting people to make
good choices."
The AARP survey asked Americans age 45 and older a range of questions
designed to measure their level of understanding of the costs and
funding sources associated with three types of long-term care: nursing
homes, assisted living facilities, and in-home care.
The results show that Americans age 45 plus generally do not know how
much long-term care services cost. Only 15 percent could identify the
cost of nursing home care within ± 20 percent of the national average
cost. Another quarter (24 percent) said they did not know the cost. And
more than half (51 percent) estimated the cost too low. [The national
average monthly cost of nursing home care is $4,654.]
Only one in four (27 percent) could come within ± 20 percent of the
estimated median cost of care in an assisted living facility and 38
percent said they did not know. [The national estimated median cost for
assisted living per month is between $2,000 and $2,500.]
Americans age 45 and older also are generally unaware of how much an
in-home visit from a skilled nurse or aide costs. Americans age 45 plus
gave a wide range of answers, with no real consensus. One in three (33
percent) "didn't know" the cost. [The average Medicare reimbursement is
$109 for a skilled nurse visit and $64 for a home visit by an aide.]
About three in ten (31 percent) Americans age 45 and older say they have
insurance that covers the costs of long-term care, when they probably do
not. Although it is difficult to know exactly how many Americans
currently have long-term care insurance policies, the Health Insurance
Association of America estimates that only about 6 percent of Americans
purchased such insurance.
People who say they have insurance that covers the cost of long-term
care are more likely to say they feel prepared to meet the financial
challenges of long-term care than those who say they do not have such
coverage (70 percent versus 39 percent). This suggests that people who
say they have long-term care coverage when they do not may have a false
sense of financial preparedness. Overall, Americans age 45 and older are
split as to whether they feel prepared to meet the financial challenges
associated with long-term care. About half (49 percent) feel "very" or
"fairly" prepared; 46 percent said they are "not very" or "not at all"
prepared.
According to the new study, there is also a discrepancy between what
people think Medicare and Medigap cover and what they actually cover.
More than half (55 percent), including those who say they are "very
familiar" with long-term care (58 percent), believe Medicare covers
long-term nursing home stays. And nearly a quarter says they would rely
on Medicare to pay for such stays. The reality is that Medicare does not
cover long-term nursing home stays.
Four in ten (41 percent) thought Medicare covers assisted living care
and more than one in three (34 percent) didn't know whether it does or
does not. Medicare does not pay for assisted living.
Over half (57 percent) correctly said that Medicare covers the cost of
in-home visits from a skilled nurse. However, many Americans do not
understand the difference between a home visit from a skilled nurse and
a home visit by a home health aide. More than half (52 percent) thought
Medicare covers aide visits. In fact, Medicare covers only home health
aide services for care that is medically necessary. It does not cover
costs of custodial care.
Novelli said that, "AARP will use the findings from this survey to
educate our members, the public, and policy-makers about long-term care
and its costs for individuals and their families. Equally important, we
will continue to advocate for the support for long-term care that people
want and need in their homes and communities."
The survey, entitled "The Costs of Long-Term Care: Public Perceptions
Versus Reality", was conducted by RoperASW on behalf of AARP. The
results are based on telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,800
Americans age 45 and older. With a sample this size, the maximum margin
of error at a 95 percent confidence level is within ± 3 percentage
points. In addition to the national survey, five state-specific surveys
were conducted with a random sample of 400 people age 45 and over in
California, Florida, New Mexico, Washington, and Wisconsin.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age
50 and over. It provides information and resources; advocates on
legislative, consumer, and legal issues; assists members to serve their
communities; and offers a wide range of unique benefits, special
products, and services for its members. These benefits include AARP
Webplace at www.aarp.org, Modern
Maturity and My Generation magazines, and the monthly AARP Bulletin.
Active in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the
U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP celebrates the attitude that age is just a
number and life is what you make it.
How to Choose
Knowing what kinds of
services and facilities are available is a good start. Investigating the
offerings in your area, however, is the most crucial part of your care
planning process. Speaking with an agency representative or touring an
aging services facility can rapidly familiarize you with the system and
give you the chance to ask all of the questions that are relevant to
your particular situation and needs. And because your comfort level with
your providers is the most important factor in your decision, meeting
them face-to-face is the best way to determine whether a facility is a
match for you.
To feel out your home and community-based services, speak with
representatives from a variety of agencies and volunteer organizations.
Find out what their philosophy is-what they are trying to provide and
accomplish beyond basic services. Figure out who in the organization you
will be dealing with on a day-to-day basis and try to meet them. Ask for
recommendations from friends, other seniors, local religious
organizations, hospital social service departments, or senior centers. A
complete listing of options should be available at your Area Agency on
Aging. Choosing an aging services facility requires thorough
investigation. Touring an assisted living facility, a nursing home, or a
continuing care retirement community can offer you far more information
than brochures or statistics. And knowing what to look for as you walk
around your potential new home can make this tour much more telling and
productive.
Paying
for Aging Services
Many of us are confused
about how to pay for long-term care. It is hard enough to keep the twin
terms "Medicare" and "Medicaid" straight, let alone figure out how their
many stipulations affect your coverage! Because sorting through your
payment options is a very complicated process, it is best to consult
with a professional about how you plan to pay for long-term care. You
can talk with your lawyer, accountant, a professional care coordinator,
or obtain information from your Area Agency on Aging (see
www.n4a.org).
In the meantime, here is a general overview of aging services care
payment sources. Planning ahead helps you to assess which source is
ideal for you and to take measures to ensure that it remains an option
to you during a time of need.
Long-term care insurance covers long-term care in a
variety of settings, not just in nursing homes. Because long-term care
insurance covers a broader scope of care, you will have greater freedom
to choose a facility that matches your needs. For example, it may enable
you to afford an assisted living facility, or a continuing care
retirement community. Long-term care insurance typically pays a daily
rate to your care provider. Because every policy is different, you will
need to find out exactly what levels of care and services your potential
insurers will cover.
Medicaid pays for the majority of nursing home costs,
covering nearly 65 percent of all nursing home residents. Medicaid is a
joint state-federal program that aids individuals who fall under a
certain poverty level determined by the state. Medicaid was originally
intended for low-income people, but because many private pay nursing
home residents "spend down" their assets in under a year, it covers
elderly people from all classes. Each state Medicaid office sets
reimbursement rates that are lower than the nursing home private pay
rates.
Medicaid does not cover assisted living or continuing care retirement
communities (with the exception of their skilled nursing units). It pays
for care only at nursing homes and Intermediate Care Facilities for the
Mentally Retarded. In some states, however, Medicaid may cover home and
community-based services.
Medicare is a health insurance program for people over the age of 65 and
certain disabled individuals. There are a number of Medicare
stipulations that limit its long-term care coverage.
-
You are
only eligible for Medicare nursing home coverage after a hospital stay
of at least three days. In addition, this coverage requires
substantial insurance co-payments after the first 20 days, and can be
used for no more than 100 days.
-
Medicare does not usually cover assisted living costs. However, if you
contract short-term services through a home care agency while living
in an assisted living, Medicare may cover this care.
-
Medicare covers homecare only if the elderly individual is homebound
and needs therapy or skilled nursing care, according to their
physician's plan.
The limitations of Medicare
can be explained by the fact that the Medicare insurance program is
intended to cover services that will help an elderly person recover
from a medical problem. It may not extend coverage for people with
chronic care needs, for example Alzheimer's patients.
PACE is a unique option under both Medicare and
Medicaid that offers elderly individuals comprehensive medical and
social services that permits them to continue living at home. PACE
programs coordinate and provide all needed preventative, primary, acute,
and long-term care services. There are about 40 PACE programs across the
country. See
www.npaonline.org/website/article.asp?id=4
Note: In addition to the daily rate of care, you may be
charged additional fees for things like phone, laundry, or cable. These
can add up, so it is important to inquire so that you can factor extra
costs into your long-term care expenses. Also, keep in mind that private
rooms are more costly than shared bedrooms, and Medicaid does not cover
this cost.
Coping
with Caregiver Issues
Guilt is the most common sentiment that caregivers feel when making
long-term care decisions for their loved ones. You are not alone if you
feel down on yourself for placing your mom in a nursing home, or
convincing your dad that he needs to move into an apartment. Because you
are in the position of nudging your loved one against his or her will,
negative feelings of guilt or regret are normal.
Remember though, that you are trying to arrange the best possible care
for your loved one. This is certainly nothing to be ashamed of. In many
cases, resorting to aging services takes realizing your own limitations
as a caregiver first, which can be difficult in itself. All you can do
is try your hardest, and oftentimes that means utilizing the care
providers you have available to you.
You may want to talk to someone about any range of emotions that you are
experiencing, from relief to depression. Speak with the staff at your
loved one's long-term care facility. They have much experience dealing
with families and should know where to refer you, or be able to speak
with you themselves. Some facilities have family support groups that can
bring you together with other individuals who are experiencing the same
emotional stresses.
Making Aging Services a Positive Experience
Once your loved one has moved into an aging services facility, you still
play a key role in the quality of life they are able to maintain there.
Your involvement in your loved one's care goes beyond just the amount of
time you spend visiting.
Getting to know his or her caretakers can make the experience more
pleasant for both you and your loved one. It may also be crucial to his
or her health that you maintain communication with caregivers and pass
on any changes in condition that you notice. Being friendly with your
loved ones' neighbors and their family members is also a good way to
cultivate a healthy living environment.
Most aging services facilities, nursing homes included, allow residents
to leave the facility freely with family members. If this is the case at
your loved one's aging service facility, you can continue to include
your loved one in holidays, family outings, and special events. If this
is too difficult, there are ways to bring family into the facility in a
comfortable and enjoyable way. Some facilities may have small lounges or
private dining rooms that you can reserve for family gatherings, like
birthday dinners. There may be organized recreational events that
include families, like annual summer picnics or holiday parties.
There are hundreds of little ways that you can make your loved one's
aging services experience more positive and comfortable. Here are some
ideas to help you brainstorm.
-
Pass
along your loved one's new mailing address to family and friends so
that your loved one continues to receive holiday and birthday cards.
-
Ask
your religious leader to visit.
-
Bring
your loved one his or her favorite food.
-
Visit
on sunny days so that you can bring your loved one outside for fresh
air while you talk.
-
Bring
your loved one festive clothing or decorations during holidays.
-
Have a
meal with your loved one in the nursing home when you have the
opportunity
-
Organize a volunteer activity in the facility with a youth or
religious group.
-
Bring
in favorite movies or music on a quiet weekend.
-
Encourage other family members to accompany you on your visits.
-
Offer
to drive your loved one's friends to visit who might not have cars.
-
Call
your loved one regularly during a time when there isn't much going on
at the home, like after dinner.
After a while, you will
probably get a sense for what type of visits go smoothly and are most
enjoyable for both you and your loved one. Perhaps scheduling visits
puts your loved one at ease and gives them something to look forward to.
Maybe your loved one reacts best to multiple short visits, rather than
fewer, extended visits. And you might find that one-to-one visits are
optimal. Be attentive so that you can feel this out soon and get into a
routine that works.
Remember that the more effort you put into your loved one's wellness,
the more likely it is that your visits will be positive experiences. The
worst thing you can do is stay away because of a bad visit or your loved
one's complaints. Your absence won't help these negative sentiments, but
your presence and positive energy can help diminish them.
Broaching the Subject of Aging Services with a Loved One
The best way to begin the aging services planning process is to open up
the conversation with your loved one. This can be a very difficult thing
to do and oftentimes, people put off discussing the sensitive topic
until it is obvious to everyone that aging services are absolutely
necessary. This however, is not a good idea, because those that delay
are forced to make rushed decisions while dealing with a crisis and are
less likely to settle comfortably into a facility of their choosing.
Because you want to involve your loved one in any aging services
decisions as much as possible, initiating a conversation about aging
services is a responsible way to ensure this. If you wait until they are
hospitalized, they might not be able to take part in the decision to the
same extent. Trust that you are doing your loved one a favor by
broaching the topic.
Choose a quiet, comfortable place to bring it up. Listen carefully to
any reservations that are voiced, and make clear that you hear and
understand these concerns. Address them in a positive way. Point out the
benefits of the aging services you are proposing (less isolation and
more company, organized activities, prepared meals, better medical
attention). You may have to be a little persistent in your discussion
and steer it back towards the positives of quality care.
Aging services and long-term care decisions involve more than just the
elderly client; they affect every one in his or her life. Giving all
involved individuals a chance to voice their preferences and priorities
is key ("I want you close by, Mom" or "I want to keep living on my own,
but I'd like to be somewhere where meals are provided.").
Feeling out priorities is actually a good way to begin the conversation
in a positive way. Ask yourself or your loved one what are the most
important elements of your surroundings-the space where you reside, the
daily activities you are able to engage in, the people you interact
with, the medical assistance you have available. After determining your
priorities, your search for the right facility will be easier and more
directed.
Helping a Loved One Make a Smooth Adjustment
The first few weeks after a change in aging services care are an
emotional adjustment for everyone involved-the elderly individual, his
or her family, and even his or her new caregivers.
If you are adjusting to the presence of a new caregiver in your home or
your loved one's home, you may find this adjustment more challenging
than you originally expected. The key is to make both parties
comfortable with the new arrangement: both the client and the caregiver.
Treat your new caregiver with the same hospitality you would show a
houseguest, explaining where things are, offering them things (like food
or blankets) to stay comfortable, and letting them know how welcome they
are in your home.
Once you have made your new caregiver feel at ease, tactfully let them
know what makes you feel comfortable. Give your caregiver a sense of
your living and care giving preferences, so that he or she can work with
your daily routine. Don't be afraid to speak up about the way your
caregiver does things (i.e. where he or she parks in the driveway, how
loud he or she turns up the television) because you may have to live
with the habits of this person for a long period of time and you want to
eliminate all friction so that you can have pleasant and comfortable
interactions on a day-to-day basis. The more effort you make to get
comfortably acquainted with your caregiver, the less you (and your
caregiver) will feel like he or she is a stranger in your home.
In the case of transferring to a new aging services facility, one of the
simplest ways to ensure that your loved one acclimates to his or her new
surroundings is to make these surroundings familiar. Bring decorating
materials from home: picture frames, paintings, wreaths, ceramics, or
blankets. Use these pieces to recreate the same atmosphere in the new
living space and soften the feel of the room. This is particularly
important in the case of nursing homes, which often have a more sterile
feel. Ask if you can bring any furniture from home. Some nursing homes
and most assisted living facilities allow this. A plant or two can
brighten the room immeasurably, and give your loved one a project to
tend to.
Another easy way to aid your love one's adjustment is to just be
present. If your loved one moves to a new place, make sure to visit
often during the first month. Introduce your loved one to his or her new
caregivers and other residents, remind your loved one where things are
in the facility, encourage them to go to activities, and just be
supportive. You can help ease your loved one into their new surroundings
by drawing them out and reinforcing the positive elements of their new
home. They are less likely to feel alarmed or isolated if they see a
familiar face beside them. Furthermore, if you are present, you will
become familiar with your loved one's new caregivers and have the
opportunity to relay your loved ones' needs and special preferences.
Search for ways for your loved one to continue with his or her interests
and pastimes. Talk to their new caretakers or a recreation director to
alert them to the activities that your loved has background and interest
in. This increases the likelihood that the recreation department will
actively seek him or her out to participate in activities. If you don't
spot anything of interest on the activities calendar, you may want to
propose an activity (i.e. book club, mini-golf). The recreation director
may be flexible enough to accommodate your loved one's interests in the
future. Find out what kind of religious services are available and
encourage your loved one to take part in them.
Be an advocate and a pillar of emotional support, and your loved one
will have a much smoother transition.
How to Get Involved in Your Loved One's Care
Don't limit your involvement in the aging services facility to your
loved one's bedroom. There are a number of ways to get involved in an
aging services facility as a whole that will in turn enhance your
experience.
Many nursing homes have family councils that are made up of relatives
and friends of the facility's residents. They usually meet once a month
and aim to improve the quality of life in the facility. Joining a family
council provides you with the opportunity to meet other family members
who are going through similar experiences as you, and it also gives you
a voice in the facility's operation.
You can also get involved by volunteering at the facility. Nursing homes
are always in need of dedicated helpers, particularly in the recreation
department. On holidays like Christmas, nursing homes are often lacking
any volunteers and even low on staff. Family members are ideal
volunteers because they have such a personal investment in the home and
are frequently present.
You might be able to find a creative way to serve as a sort of liaison
between the facility and the community. Say for example, that you work
at a day care center. Why not organize a Halloween party in the nursing
home and bring the kids parading through in their costumes? Because you
have spent time in an aging services facility and are attuned to the
needs of residents, you are in a unique position to connect the
community with the facility. By enriching the life of the home, you
enrich the life of your loved one.
National Family Caregivers Association
The National Family Caregivers Association offers tips, information, and
resources for family caregivers.
The First Day: Trying an Alzheimer's Day Center
This article, published by the Family Caregiver Alliance, tells the
story of one family's experience with care in the adult day care
setting.
Children of Aging Parents
Children of Aging Parents is a nonprofit, charitable organization whose
mission is to assist the nation's nearly 54 million caregivers of the
elderly or chronically ill with reliable information, referrals and
support, and to heighten public awareness that the health of the family
caregivers is essential to ensure quality care of the nation's growing
elderly population.
Caregiving from a Distance
Caregivers who live far away from their loved ones encounter special
challenges. Caregiving from a Distance provides a variety of resources,
including service directories, local contacts and even free evaluations
to help individuals give their loved ones the care they deserve.
Volunteering to Help Older Adults
Do you have a
special interest in older people? Maybe you treasure your grandparents
or just appreciate the wisdom and generosity of an older person you know
very well. Or you may be looking for a volunteer opportunity that could
lead to an interesting and rewarding career. Whatever the reason, and
whatever your age, you're considering volunteering and helping older
people. Where do you start? We can help answer that question and others
as you begin your search for the best fit for you and your interests.
Why Volunteer?
There are lots of reasons you might want to consider volunteering. Here
are some reasons that other young people have mentioned:
-
To make
a difference
-
To use
a special skill or talent
-
To gain
experience that can lead to a career
-
To make
contacts
-
To
express your faith
-
To meet
people
-
To help
others
-
To
enhance your personal growth or self-esteem
-
To have
a more balanced life
-
To give
something back to the community
-
To earn
service hours for a club or school
-
To meet
graduation requirements
If any one of these reasons
or a combination of them strikes a chord with you, you're probably ready
to try volunteering. For many young people, being involved in a
community organization or activity outside their school or place of
worship is just as important as a sport or any other extracurricular
activity. For you, it may be even more important. You won't know until
you try.
Some Options to Consider
Nursing Homes and Assisted Living. You may want to check out a nursing
home or assisted-living facility in your area as a possibility for
volunteering. Many young people volunteer in nursing homes, and there
are many things you can do that will bring joy to their residents and to
you. Here are some examples.
-
Visiting an Older Person - It may be as simple as visiting a resident
or a group of residents once a week, just to talk. Talking with
someone who doesn't have a lot of visitors is a form of volunteering.
-
Providing Entertainment - You may have musical talent or dramatic
leanings. Come and perform for the residents.
-
Joining
in an Activity - All homes for the aging schedule social and
recreational activities for their residents. You can help with these
group activities and events, or you might simply read out loud to one
person or more.
To find a nursing home or
assisted-living facility in your area, check the yellow pages in the
phone book; call your local Agency on Aging (in the government listings
of the phone book); or check listings on the American Association of
Homes and Services for the Aging's web site (www.aahsa.org ). Senior
Housing. There are probably housing facilities for older people in or
near your community. Senior housing ranges from continuing care
retirement communities to subsidized housing for low- and
moderate-income elderly.
While you can visit, read to, or entertain frail, older residents in
housing facilities, there are also many active older persons living in
these apartments or houses who might welcome your company or assistance.
Other volunteer opportunities might include assisting in shopping or
errands for a resident, helping with the library or gift shop, setting
up a holiday party, or helping with arts and crafts.
Community Services Agencies. In most communities, there are many home
and community-based services available to seniors living at home. Many
of the organizations that provide these services need volunteers.
Consider these opportunities:
How Do You Start?
Here are some starting tips from others who've volunteered a lot:
-
Choose
a volunteer job that interests you.
-
Be
realistic about your time and schedule. School, work, or other
obligations may prevent you from volunteering during the week, but
weekends or holidays may be when they need someone the most.
-
Consider how you will get there. Not everyone has their own car or
access to public transportation, but you need to plan how you will get
to your volunteer commitment.
-
Explore
a number of options in your community. Below are several resources for
helping seniors that you can explore.
-
Go
check them out one by one.
-
Ask
questions of the volunteer coordinator.
-
If at
first you don't succeed, keep trying. Be persistent.
-
Make a
decision that's comfortable for you.
When you begin your
volunteer assignment, make sure you show up when you say you will. Be
responsible. Even though you're not being paid, others will still count
on you to be there when you say you will. Volunteering can be hard work,
but don't ever think that you're not making a difference. You are.
Remember: Just because someone doesn't always say "Thank you" out loud
doesn't mean they don't appreciate what you're doing for them.
Resources
Your yellow pages directory or a web-based directory are easy places to
start. You can look up locations and phone numbers for assisted living,
senior health and housing services, nursing homes, retirement and
life-care communities, home health care, adult day care, etc. These are
common yellow pages headings used in many areas of the country.
Check with your area Agency on Aging (www.n4a.org)
for any programs that might already exist to help you.
Some Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops offer senior volunteering as a
badge activity and may have already-established programs.
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
2519 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008-1520. 202-783-2242. Web
site:
http://www.aahsa.org. The Web site's Consumers section includes
information about different types of homes and services for the aging;
and information on careers in aging services. Listings of homes for the
aging in every state appear on the association's website.
American Association of Retired Persons
601 E Street, NW, Washington DC 20049. 202-434-2277 or 800-424-3410. Web
site:
http://www.aarp.org. This site includes
lots of information on aging and services for older Americans, including
volunteering.
Generations United
c/o 122 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. 202-638-1263. Web site:
http://www.gu.org. A resource for young people trying to find out
about programs by region, state, or program type. The website lists
publications especially for young people who want to help the aged.
National Aging Information Center
Administration on Aging, 330 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC
20201. This Web site includes information about places you may want to
volunteer.
www.aoa.dhhs.gov
Consumer
Protection
Consumer Action Handbook
The Consumer Action Website features general advice and information on
how to solve consumer problems, as well as addresses, telephone numbers,
and websites where you can file consumer complaints.
End-of-Life Care Options
Caring Connections
Caring Connections, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative
Care Organization (NHPCO), is a national consumer program to educate and
promote excellence in end-of-life care. You may also call 800-658-8898
for end-of-life information, including free brochures and advance
directives or contact information for a hospice or other end-of-life
organization.
Glossaries
McKnight's Online Glossary of Terms
Government Information
Administration on Aging (AoA)
Information on older persons and services for the elderly, including
information designed for older Americans and their families as well as
those concerned about providing the opportunities and services to enrich
the lives of older persons and support their independence.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Headed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, VA is the second largest of
the 14 Cabinet departments and operates nationwide programs of health
care, assistance services and national cemeteries.
Office of Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy
A crosscutting office charged with
responsibilities for developing, analyzing, evaluating and coordinating
HHS policies and programs.
NIHSeniorHealth.gov
Health information from the National Institutes of Health
Social Security Online
The Official Web site of the Social Security Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services is
the United States government's principal agency for protecting the
health of all Americans and providing essential human services,
especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
Guides
FirstGov for Seniors
MetLife Since You Care Guides
Since You Care are a series of guides which provide practical
suggestions and useful tools on a variety of specific care-related
subjects. The guides are prepared by the MetLife Mature Market Institute
in cooperation with the National Alliance for Caregiving and MetLife's
Nurse Care Managers.
Trends
Aging Trends (AARP)
