Great Volunteer Organization in Greater Portland

On August 25, 2010, In Caregiving, Senior Living, Seniors in the Work Place, By SilverCensus

Need some inspiration to get involved in your community?

www.handsonportland.org connects volunteers with people in need of help in the greater Portland, Oregon area. You can help someone build their house, tutor a child, drive seniors to the movies, care for an abandoned pet, build a hiking trail, paint someone’s house, or any other thing. They seem very open to suggestions as well.

The website is really easy to use. There is a calendar so you can search what’s going on by dates, which can also be filtered by your age, what you want to do, who you want to work with, or your capabilities. You can also search through what is available by your location and be contacted when more opportunities come to your area.

Through their contact page, you can call them or e-mail to let them know if you need help with something or would like to volunteer.

What a great organization! Even if you’re not in the Portland area, this organization is a great idea. If there isn’t something like this in your area, use this as an inspiration!

Post by Kate Valdovinos. Volunteer website: www.handsonportland.org.

About SilverCensus:
SilverCensus is an unbiased senior living and health services resource where consumers are educated on options, facilities & rights. Our services are completely free for seniors and their caregivers as well as Hospital Case Managers & Social Workers who are committed to proper discharge.  Clients include assisted living residences, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing homes, home health care agencies, HUD developments & independent living communities.  We also provide free VA assistance for Veterans and their spouses.  Our Care Managers are standing by 24/7 at 888-776-1311 or through the web at: SilverCensus.com

 
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A New Option For Independent Living

On August 24, 2010, In Aging in America, Baby Boomers, Caregiving, Healthy Aging, Independent Living, Senior Living, The American Economy Affecting Seniors, By SilverCensus

The housing market isn’t a good place for anyone to be right now. That’s why LeCesse Development Corp. had to think of something to do with its $300,000 Villa Grande condos in Sarasota, Florida.

LeCesse Development Corp. decided to cater to the growing population of baby boomers and is making Villa Grande rental apartments for people over 62. They are also not charging an entry fee, which is very common in many continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). To offset the price, health care will not be available on site, but many seniors have insurance that covers what they need.

I think this is a great option for many seniors. Villa Grande offers more independence from nursing homes or CCRCs. It meets the needs of seniors, but residents still need to be self-reliant. It’s a great happy-medium between being dependent on staff for most tasks and living alone without help.

Some great perks of Villa Grande are:

  • Swimming pool
  • Fitness center with full-time director on staff
  • Full spa
  • Beauty salon
  • No entrance fee
  • Near golf course and shopping
  • 900 square-feet one-bedroom apartments
  • 1,600 square-feet two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments
  • Resident camaraderie with other similarly-aged people
  • Continental breakfast served daily
  • Transportation available to residents
  • 8,000 square foot club house

It will be more expensive to rent than a similarly-sized apartment (about $1,800 to $2,400 per month), but the perks that come along with living at Villa Grande are well worth it.

Villa Grande is expected to be open next summer.

Post by Kate Valdovinos. Information about Villa Grande http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100823/ARTICLE/8231014/2413/BUSINESS?p=1&tc=pg.

About SilverCensus:
SilverCensus is an unbiased senior living and health services resource where consumers are educated on options, facilities & rights. Our services are completely free for seniors and their caregivers as well as Hospital Case Managers & Social Workers who are committed to proper discharge.  Clients include assisted living residences, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing homes, home health care agencies, HUD developments & independent living communities.  We also provide free VA assistance for Veterans and their spouses.  Our Care Managers are standing by 24/7 at 888-776-1311 or through the web at: SilverCensus.com

 
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Health Reform Confusion

On August 23, 2010, In Aging in America, Caregiving, Healthy Aging, Senior Home Care, Senior Living, The American Economy Affecting Seniors, By SilverCensus

It’s easy to get confused by health reform and programs that have been new and changing these days. It’s a fact that many people don’t know much about what’s going on, or know very little, and that’s not exactly the fault of American citizens, either. There’s so much information which changes constantly, so keeping track is really a full-time job.

Here are some things that I’ve read from NPR about what’s going on. At the bottom, I’ve included a link to a ‘Straight Talk’ website which has links to click on how health reform is affecting different types of patients and their insurance.

  • The new health laws don’t decrease what doctors make from Medicare.
  • Younger Americans have more opportunities for coverage.
  • There are many more options for long-term care insurance. (Check out the previous blog on CLASS).
  • There are some rebate benefits for medications.
  • Billing histories will be monitored so there will be a decrease in forms to fill out or phone calls to make.

I know this list is very broad, but it’s important to know what’s happening. Check out the link below for more detailed information. If it helps, download and print out the “PDF” files.

“Straight Talk” information: http://www.ncoa.org/public-policy/health-care-reform/straight-talk-for-seniors-on.html

Post by Kate Valdovinos. NPR websites: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/07/26/128778642/seniors-still-in-the-dark-on-new-health-law and http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/05/27/127221108/medicare-checks-for-drug-doughnut-hole-are.

About SilverCensus:
SilverCensus is an unbiased senior living and health services resource where consumers are educated on options, facilities & rights. Our services are completely free for seniors and their caregivers as well as Hospital Case Managers & Social Workers who are committed to proper discharge.  Clients include assisted living residences, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing homes, home health care agencies, HUD developments & independent living communities.  We also provide free VA assistance for Veterans and their spouses.  Our Care Managers are standing by 24/7 at 888-776-1311 or through the web at: SilverCensus.com

 
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New Program to Prepare for Disabilities – CLASS

On August 23, 2010, In Aging in America, Caregiving, Caring for an aging parent, Elder Law, Healthy Aging, Home Health Care Agencies |Visiting Nurse, Independent Living, Non-Medical Home Care, Senior Home Care, Senior Living, The American Economy Affecting Seniors, By SilverCensus

I just read about a federally-funded program that will begin in 2012 that working adults can sign up for that will help them stay in their homes if they are disabled. It’s called CLASS, or Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act, and “will take only the approval of the patient’s own doctor to get most claims approved.”

There is so much frustration that comes with getting money from insurance companies as we age. There are a ton of loopholes and papers and waiting on the phone just to get information which sometimes leads to a denial letter. Insurance companies have been known to take advantage of seniors in this position.

CLASS was created to prevent all that from happening. The National Counsil on Aging said that about 10 million Americans need some sort of long-term assistance to help them with day-to-day functions. The benefits of CLASS address that growing number.

It is said that premiums will be between $50 and $75 per month, but they could go up if not enough people sign up for CLASS. So don’t forget! Mark your calendar and keep CLASS in mind!

Post by Kate Valdovinos. Information from http://bit.ly/aflyYD.

SilverCensus is an unbiased senior living and health services resource where consumers are educated on options, facilities & rights. Our services are completely free for seniors and their caregivers as well as Hospital Case Managers & Social Workers who are committed to proper discharge.  Clients include assisted living residences, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing homes, home health care agencies, HUD housing & independent living communities. We also provide free VA assistance for Veterans and their spouses.  Our Care Managers are standing by 24/7 at 888-776-1311 or through the web at: SilverCensus.com

 
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Unused Veterans Benefits

On August 23, 2010, In Aging in America, Caregiving, Senior Home Care, Senior Living, The American Economy Affecting Seniors, By SilverCensus

I read recently that only 105,000 veterans are using benefits that an estimated 2.3 million could be using. Some who qualify can get up to $2,000 or more per month.

There are strict rules, however, many veterans or their family members fall into the category.

Some people aren’t finding out about the benefits they could be getting until they just happen to talk to someone else who knows about the benefits. In the article I read, one woman didn’t know about the benefits her father could have been getting until he was 93.

If you a veteran, their spouse or child, my advice is setting up a meeting with someone at the VA. You can go online to www.va.gov and click the ‘Locations’ icon then select ‘Regional Benefits Offices’ or call 1-800-827-1000 and they could help you find the number or office you need.

In the meantime, research everything you can about what you could possibly be eligible for. Make sure you have social security numbers of those involved including dates of when the veteran was in the service. Having a good background for what benefits are available and how they work will save a whole bunch of time and hassle when you go in for a meeting. I also recommend getting a binder and notebook specifically for the veterans benefits. Keep everything together as organized as possible and be willing to learn. There are a lot of stipulations and rules, but there are also a lot of benefits that many veterans and their families aren’t taking advantage of!

Post by Kate Valdovinos. Originial post about unused veterans benefits: http://bit.ly/bZE1LS.

SilverCensus is an unbiased senior living and health services resource where consumers are educated on options, facilities & rights. Our services are completely free for seniors and their caregivers as well as Hospital Case Managers & Social Workers who are committed to proper discharge.  Clients include assisted living residences, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing homes, home health care agencies, HUD housing & independent living communities. We also provide free VA assistance for Veterans and their spouses.  Our Care Managers are standing by 24/7 at 888-776-1311 or through the web at: SilverCensus.com

 
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