When your senior loved one returns home from the hospital, she or he is likely to come home with several new medications. Making sure that these new medications are taken correctly and don’t create any adverse effects with existing medications is vital to ensuring your loved one’s recovery.

Medication mismanagement is one of the leading problems that can send your senior back to the hospital. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adverse drug events cause over 700,000 emergency department visits each year and nearly 120,000 of those patients are hospitalized for further treatment.

There are many ways you can help keep your senior on track with his or her medicines:

1. Examine all current medicines to make sure they have not expired or are due for refill. Before discarding those that have expired, make a note of the medication type, the dosage, the prescribing physician and the pharmacy so you can follow-up to make sure it’s not something your loved one still should be taking.
2. Make sure to get refills if it’s time. It’s likely that before your senior loved one entered the hospital he or she provided a list of current prescriptions, over the counter medications and supplements he or she was taking. New medications are often prescribed with these current medications in mind so it’s important to keep your loved one on track by making sure former medications are taken in addition to the new ones.
3. Prepare a list of all medications—including the new ones. Again, write down the name of the medication, the dosage, the prescribing doctor, the directions, and the pharmacy. If it’s not already being done, make sure to get all of your senior loved one’s prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. By having all of your senior’s records in one place, the pharmacist can watch out for potential drug interactions and advise your loved one to speak with his or her doctors before an adverse reaction takes place.
4. Getting to the pharmacy might be difficult for your senior loved one during the first few days or weeks upon returning home. If possible, arrange for the pharmacy to deliver the medications. If that is not an option, you or another family caregiver may need to add pick-up and delivery duties to your schedule. Keep in mind that a professional in-home caregiver can also help out with medication pick-ups and reminders as needed.
5. Ensure that your senior loved one takes his or her medication as directed. It’s among the most important caregiving tasks you can do. Pay special attention to dosing directions including whether the medication should be taken with food or on an empty stomach, the methods to reduce side effects such as nausea, dry mouth, constipation, etc., and if it should be taken in the morning or at night.

Medications might also make your senior less hungry or make food taste funny so they may be less inclined to eat. If that’s the case, work with them to help make sure they are getting proper nutrition and hydration. Conversely, if your senior is feeling better he or she might think they don’t need certain medications anymore and then stop taking them. Some medications, such as antibiotics need to be taken as a full course, others such as pain medications may be able to be stopped or have a reduced dosage. Regardless, check with your senior’s doctor before making any changes to medication dosage or frequency.

One way to make taking medicines less complicated for your senior is to organize them into a pill box. Many varieties of pill boxes are available including ones that break each day into several time sections. You could also create a large calendar that he or she can refer to throughout the day.

The last important medication management task is to watch for and take note of any reactions or side effects your senior has so they can be addressed at follow-up appointments. Some symptoms to monitor for include:

• No bowel movement in three days,
• New skin problems,
• Change in balance, coordination or strength,
• Change in mental status or behavior,
• Ineffective pain management,
• Nausea or vomiting,
• Dizziness,
• Diarrhea, and
• Fever.

If you do notice any of these symptoms, it is vital that you contact your loved one’s healthcare provider immediately to help prevent further, more serious complications from developing.

If all of this is a bit overwhelming you might also consider contracting with an outside caregiver to assist with medication monitoring. In the end, helping to prevent medication mismanagement will lead to a quicker recovery for your senior loved one.

For more information or to get answers to your questions, please contact your Home Instead Senior Care office in The Greater Phoenix, AZ area.   We can be reached via email at education@homeinstead.com.

Along with increases in the aging population come the problems associated with age. Adverse drug reactions are among the top five greatest threats to health 28% of hospitalizations among seniors are due to adverse drug reactions 32,000 seniors suffer hip fractures each year due to falls caused by medication-related problems.

As a Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, Max Allen provides help to those who are having problems with their medications. Medication Therapy Management Services has been shown to help lower medication costs and improve quality of life.

Please join us on May 22 at 10:00am as Max Allen discusses how proper medication management can improve the quality of life and safety of your senior loved one.

This forum is free of charge and open to the public.

To register for the Education Forum contact Home Instead Senior Care, the office is located at 2412 W. Greenway Rd. Suite D, Phoenix, AZ 85023.

Bringing your senior loved one home from the hospital or other medical facility requires a number of safety considerations. From the moment they leave their hospital room to the time they get settled in back home, it is imperative that you plan ahead to make sure the transition from hospital to home is free of dangers and as comfortable as possible.

Among the first considerations are clothing and footwear for your senior to wear home. Loose comfortable slacks and a button front shirt are usually best as they are easier to slip on. Consider sneakers or low slip-on shoes with steady treads to prevent falls. Also be sure to take the weather into consideration and decide if a jacket and/or hat will be necessary.

You senior will likely ride in a wheel chair to the exit and then enter into the vehicle that will deliver him or her home. Make sure to find out how mobile your senior will be so you can arrange for appropriate transportation:

• Ask his or her healthcare providers if standing, walking or sitting will be possible and for how long.
• Find out if your senior will be coming home with any medical equipment such as a wheelchair, IV or oxygen system.
• If your senior loved one is mobile enough you may be able to get him or her home in the car of a family member or friend. However, if there are restrictions you may have to seek alternate private transport services such as a wheelchair van or ambulance. If necessary, the social worker or discharge coordinator can help you arrange these services and help to determine if insurance generally will cover the costs.

If your loved one will need prescriptions, make arrangements to have those filled and picked up either in advance or by someone else such as an in-home care companion, so you can take your family member directly home. Likewise, make sure you have restocked the refrigerator and pantry, as well as picked up any special foods or medical supplies, before discharge.

Even before your senior loved one returns home you should take a look around both inside and outside the house to look for hidden dangers.

Outside make sure walkways and stairs are free of debris and swept clean. Also check hand rails to make sure they are steady and free of chips or splinters and remove any door mats that might cause your senior to trip. Lighting is another consideration so be sure all bulbs are in working order and provide enough illumination.

There are many safety considerations inside the house as well:

• Use this senior safety checklist to help make the return home more secure.
• Get rid of clutter.
• And consider modifications to make your loved one’s home more senior friendly.

When your senior loved one comes home he or she may be a bit disoriented. To make help make things clearer for them install large red and blue buttons over hot and cold water faucet controls to prevent dangerous mistakes. A dark green or brown toilet seat and vinyl tape around the shower will make those fixtures more easily distinguishable as well. To make getting up easier, you may also want to consider installing grab bars or a raised toilet seat. And safety devices, such as lock-in switches on stoves and thermostats can prevent burns and fires from occurring.

Returning home from the hospital should be a happy time for your senior loved one. By taking preventative steps, you can help to ensure the return home is safe as well.

For more information or to get answers to your questions, please contact your Home Instead Senior Care office in The Greater Phoenix, AZ area.   We can be reached via email at education@homeinstead.com.

We’d all like to think that upon discharge from a hospital our senior loved one will be 100 percent better and ready to resume normal activity. But in most cases, more recovery time is usually needed. And in many instances, it might require the purchase of medical equipment for use while your loved one finishes his or her recuperation at home.

Your senior’s medical staff and social worker can give you a list of equipment and materials you will need. In addition, they can let you know whether a prescription is required (e.g. home oxygen) and if insurance will generally cover the costs.

Depending on his or her condition, the following are possible medical supplies that your loved one could need at home:

• Cane
• Wheelchair
• Hospital Bed
• Walker
• Raised Toilet Seat
• Shower Chair
• Grab Bars
• Colostomy care supplies
• Oxygen
• IV equipment
• Respirator
• Disposable Gloves
• Incontinence Briefs

Some of these items, such as walkers, wheelchairs and hospital beds, are reusable and considered “durable medical equipment.” Anyone who has Medicare Part B can get durable medical equipment as long as the equipment is deemed medically necessary.

Some of the more expensive equipment may be rented instead of purchased. In fact Medicare may require rental over purchase. In the instance where you have a choice, the American Elder Care Research Organization in its online article, “When to Rent vs. Buy Home and Durable Medical Equipment” suggests that you consider a few things before you make your decision:

• Consider the length of time you will need the equipment and compare the rental costs over that time versus the upfront costs for full purchase.
• If you purchase, determine how easy or difficult it will be to resell the equipment once your senior loved one no longer needs it.
• Rental agreements often cover maintenance and repair, but a purchase may not come with such a warranty. Consider the technical level of the equipment—those with more electronics might require frequent maintenance which could increase costs.
• If your senior lives in different locations over the course of the year, think about the costs to transport purchased equipment versus renting materials at each location.

Look at your senior loved one’s budget and see if it can support a high upfront cost or if lower monthly payments would be more manageable. If the budget is tight, consider seeking assistance from Veteran’s associations, healthcare foundations and other state and local nonprofits.

Once you’re ready to get the equipment, ask your senior loved one’s healthcare providers for references for local and trusted medical equipment suppliers. You can then work with your vendor to make sure the equipment is delivered and in working order prior to your loved one’s discharge from the hospital.

By having everything ready in advance for your loved one’s return you will help ensure a more comfortable transition home.

For more information or to get answers to your questions, please contact your Home Instead Senior Care office in The Greater Phoenix, AZ area.   We can be reached via email at education@homeinstead.com.

Understanding what health insurance covers is among the most difficult financial issues that family caregivers and their senior loved ones face. One of the most common ways to finance medical care and health services for seniors in the United States is through Medicare. Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers almost all Americans over the age of 65 for a large share of their medical expenses including hospitalizations, doctors’ bills, x-rays and therapies. Canadian Medicare provides universal coverage for medically necessary health care services, but depending on what province you live in, the coverage can vary. In both countries supplemental insurance is often needed for items beyond the certain basics.

Many seniors and their families do not know exactly what their insurance covers until they need it. The following steps will help family caregivers obtain the information they need to better understand their senior loved one’s insurance policies and programs before they return home from the hospital.

Contact Insurance Representatives Before Bringing Your Loved One Home

Discuss your loved one’s discharge plan with an insurance representative, case manager or provincial services office. Make sure the insurance provider understands all the services and equipment that your loved one needs and ask them to provide information on what they will approve, why and for how long.

Keep in mind that both the United States and Canadian Medicare programs generally do not pay for non-medical care, including long-term care and assistance with activities of daily living, except in a few instances.
Conduct Research and Build a Support Network

• Discuss your loved one’s insurance needs with a bank trust officer, financial planner or other investment advisor. While these individuals do not provide legal advice they can often help with insurance, retirement plans and many other issues on behalf of their clients.
• Get to know your local pharmacist, who may be an excellent and readily available resource for information about insurance as it relates to prescription coverage.
• Discuss insurance options and information with friends and acquaintances who have experienced similar health care situations.
• Have family members help with sorting bills, reviewing current and potential supplemental insurance policies and conducting research. Review the Helping Seniors with Finances Family Caregiver Educational video series for additional helpful suggestions.

Make sure that you speak with official representatives at insurance companies and related federal, state and provincial/territorial insurance programs to understand what services will generally be covered. It is common for friends and others to say, “Medicare (or another insurance plan) won’t pay for that,” and it is your job as family caregiver to do your research as each health care situation can be unique. What might not be covered in one case is different in another.

Health Insurance Resources

There are many resources available to help family caregivers learn more about insurance. We have listed a few below.

• State, Provincial/Territorial and Local Level:
  • State Health Insurance Assistance Programs
  • Provincial/Territorial government agencies
  • County or state departments of health and human services
  • Local and area social service agencies
• U.S.Federal Government:
  • Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
  • Medicaid is a program often confused with Medicare because they are both health care programs. But Medicaid is a “means tested” welfare program designed to help the poor of all ages, including the elderly.
  • The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is the government agency that administers the Medicare Program and works with the states to administer the Medicaid Program.
• Independent U.S.-based Resources:
  • The Medicare Rights Center
  • The Patient Advocate Foundation is a liaison between patients and their insurer to resolve insurance and other matters relating to a patient’s condition.
  • Benefits Check-up is a service of the National Council on the Aging, and helps people over the age of 55 find federal, state and local public and private programs that may pay for some of their medical and/or prescription drug costs.
  • Stages of Senior Care is a book written by Paul and Lori Hogan, co-founders of Home Instead Senior Care, that focuses on helping you understand your senior care options and how to pay for them.

Because of the complexity of health care insurance policies and programs it is important for family caregivers to plan ahead and obtain as much information as they can prior to having a senior loved one discharged from the hospital. Meeting with knowledgeable professionals will help families understand their options and how those options will impact themselves and their senior loved ones.

For more information or to get answers to your questions, please contact your Home Instead Senior Care office in The Greater Phoenix, AZ area.   We can be reached via email at education@homeinstead.com.

When a loved one is coming home from the hospital, it is important to have a good plan of care in place to help ensure a smooth transition home and to minimize stress for both the family caregiver and his or her loved one. You may even want to download this care plan worksheet to help you prepare.

There may be many additional tasks that are not covered in your loved one’s hospital discharge plan. How will care be provided for those activities that are not covered in the discharge instructions? Will someone need to be at home with your loved one throughout the day or just at specific times during the day?

Outlined below are four key activity areas that may require family caregivers to assume more responsibility, time and effort than normal day-to-day activities. Many of these activities may also require assistance from trained professionals, including home health care aides. You should ask your senior loved one’s medical professionals which ones will likely need to be addressed and also work with your senior to make sure all important paperwork is in order.

• Health Care Tasks
  • Change dressings
  • Monitor vital signs
  • Operate or adjust medical equipment
  • Assist with personal hygiene
  • Arrange for follow-up care
  • Maintain a schedule of health care visits and appointments
• Medication Management
  • Order and pick up prescriptions and refills
  • Understand all medication labels, instructions and expiration dates
  • Administer the correct medication at the right time
  • Monitor for side effects
  • Store medications properly and safely
  • Maintain medication schedule
  • Dispose of medications
  • Use a medication tracking worksheet to record all medications
• Household Management
  • Conduct safety checks
  • Prepare special meals such as liquid-only diets
  • Take additional shopping trips for special foods and supplies
  • Greet and supervise visiting health care and home care professionals
  • Arrange for deliveries of medical supplies and equipment
• Family Communications
  • Prepare and maintain emergency and medical contact lists
  • Communicate frequently with family members
  • Pay medical and other bills
  • Provide instructions and training to other family members and friends
  • Assemble and store important documents like those listed below in a senior emergency kit:
  • Advance Directive
  • Living Will/Standard Will
  • Health Care/Financial Power of Attorney
  • Insurance and Financial Documents

If you are considering hiring help from an in-home senior care agency for your loved one, be sure to discuss the above considerations with them as well. They’ll be able to assist in making sure your loved one’s care plan is complete and appropriately carried out. The more information family caregivers can obtain on the current health care needs of their senior loved one, the easier it will be for them to develop, communicate and share a plan of care. There are many different caregiver situations that might arise, so having a plan of care will go a long way to help ensure that family members are well prepared for any situation.

For more information or to get answers to your questions, please contact your Home Instead Senior Care office in The Greater Phoenix, AZ area.   We can be reached via email at education@homeinstead.com.

It is wonderful news to find out that your loved one is being discharged from the hospital and will be coming home soon. As a family caregiver you know there may be extra work and time involved in bringing your loved one home, but how do you go about assessing the actual amount of care needed and how much time it will take?

We have assembled a checklist below to help family caregivers determine how much care they might need to provide. As you go through the list, make a note of how much time it will take to accomplish the various tasks. If you are considering employing a home health care agency to support you and your loved one, then you will need to factor in a small amount of time to manage those services as well.

1. Patient Restrictions and Activities: Will your family member be able take a bath or shower, lift heavy items or walk up stairs? Can you leave him or her alone? Are you prepared to help your loved one with exercise instructions as well as train other family members to help?

2. Equipment and Supplies: Make a list of items you will have to shop for and whether you will need to provide assistance or receive training in using these items. They might include a hospital bed, shower chair, oxygen supply, disposable gloves or special skin care items.

3. Home Safety: What changes are needed to help make your loved one’s home safe? Do you need to move out items that might cause a fall such as area rugs or electrical cords? Do you need to make room for a hospital bed and other large equipment? Is there a prominent place to post important information such as medication schedules and emergency contact information for you and other involved caregivers to reference? Use this Home Safety Checklist to ensure your senior returns to the safest environment possible.

4. Health Care Tasks: What tasks will you have to perform and will you need any special training to accomplish them? If you can, plan on receiving the training, such as wound care or taking and recording vital signs, while your family member is still in the hospital.

5. Special Diets: Will you need to purchase and prepare any special foods? For example, your loved one may be on a liquid diet for some period of time.

6. Medication Management: Will you be able to monitor your family member to ensure he or she takes the correct medication at the right time in the right amount? Is there a chart that explains all the medications and when and how they should be taken? For example, are medications taken with meals or during certain times of the day? Are you and other family members aware of any side effects from the medications? Will you have to go the pharmacy to pick up medications? Watch these medical management videos for more tips on ensuring your loved one’s safety or use this medication management checklist to help you track your family member’s medications.

7. Follow-Up Care: Will you or another family member arrange for follow-up care and appointments? How often and where will they need to take place?

8. Medical Expenses: As the primary caregiver you may have to manage your family member’s medical expenses including correspondence with the hospital, Medicare and insurance companies.

9. Other Financial Issues: Are you prepared to manage your loved one’s finances, deposit retirement payments, balance his or her checking account and pay bills? There may be additional financial issues including taxes and home maintenance and repairs as well.

In addition to managing your loved one’s care, be sure to factor in time for yourself. It is important for family caregivers to take care of themselves while taking care of others. Remember that you don’t have to do everything on your own; hiring professional in-home caregiver services for even just a few hours per week can give you the time you need to focus on your own needs. Read more about the signs of caregiver stress and why your health is just as important as your senior loved one’s.

For more information or to get answers to your questions, please contact your Home Instead Senior Care office in The Greater Phoenix, AZ area.   We can be reached via email at education@homeinstead.com.

Guidelines: Family Caregivers and Post-Discharge Issues

There are many important factors and issues to consider before your loved one is discharged from the hospital:

• What level of skilled nursing care or specialist rehabilitation services are required and for how long?
• Are these after care services covered by Medicare or other insurers and if so, for how long?
• Does your loved one need full-time/around the clock, daily or intermittent care?
• Will transportation be a factor for both inpatient and outpatient options? Consider issues such as the location of the center, length of travel time, parking, stairs and if traveling tends to cause your loved one to experience confusion or anxiety.
• Does the facility (outpatient or inpatient) have extended hours of operation, convenient visiting hours and are meals/snacks provided?

As the primary family caregiver there are also many personal factors for you to consider as well:

• How much time do you have to help out?
• Will you need to take time off from work?
• Do you have a back-up caregiver in the event of an emergency?
• Are you physically able to lift or move your family member?
• Can you handle additional tasks such as picking up medicine and taking care of your loved one’s home?

Once you have answered these questions your loved one’s medical providers and you can decide which post-discharge care option is best for your loved one. Knowing what options are available and weighing each against your loved one’s desires and needs can help you make a well-informed decision that will help to ensure a successful recovery.

For more information or to get answers to your questions, please contact your Home Instead Senior Care office in The Greater Phoenix, AZ area.   We can be reached via email at education@homeinstead.com.

What do you do when your loved one is discharged from the hospital and needs continuing health care? Deciding upon the best course for care isn’t always easy to do so it is important to understand what options are available and what issues need to be considered before making this important decision.

Discharge Planning Starts Early

As the family caregiver your first step is to have a meeting with the appropriate hospital staff—often a case manager or discharge planner—and let them know you would like to be involved in after care planning, including where your loved one will go upon discharge from the hospital.

Key issues to discuss with the discharge planner include:

• Expected date of discharge,
• Type of aftercare required along with an explanation of the level of skilled care or services required to provide the necessary care,
• Staff recommendations for discharge options,
• List of providers for aftercare, and
• List of resources for additional information and support.

Options for Services and Rehabilitation After a Hospital Stay

There are three primary aftercare or rehabilitation options available and each has its own rules, regulations, and entrance requirements.

• Inpatient—Nursing facility/rehabilitation hospital—An inpatient option is typically necessary if your loved one’s doctor orders inpatient services or if your family member will benefit from specialist treatment following the hospital stay, such as intensive physical or speech therapy.

Time spent in a skilled nursing facility or rehab center typically lasts for weeks not months, and if continued rehab is required beyond the inpatient stay it usually takes place at home or an outpatient center.

• Home—Certified home health care agency or in-home health care services—If your family member only needs part-time or intermittent rehab or skilled health care services such as wound care or monitoring of medications and equipment, then home health care may be the right option for them. Depending upon need, care can be provided by nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants or certified home health aides.

We understand that making the decision to use outside help for caring for an elderly loved one is difficult but there are a wealth of senior care resources and Alzheimer’s and dementia care resources for you to consider. Often, depending upon your family member’s needs, a non-medical but trained home companion will be able to assist with mobility, medication reminders and special dietary issues. In addition, they will be able to provide caregivers the peace of mind knowing that their loved one is safely at home. You can find more information about the differences between medical and non-medical in-home care on HomeInstead.com.

• Outpatient—Rehabilitation center or adult day health center—If your family member’s rehabilation needs are not acute and don’t require inpatient services then he or she may be able to take advantage of outpatient services. Your senior loved one must be able to travel in order for his or her after care needs to be met by an outpatient rehab center or an adult day health center. Typically outpatient rehabilitation centers provide physical, occupational and speech and language therapy.

Your senior loved one might require additional services beyond those provided at the rehabilitation center. Often, a combination of outpatient rehabilitation services and in-home care services works well in this scenario. For example, caregivers provided by an in-home senior care agency like Home Instead Senior Care could assist with transportation to rehabilitation and other home health needs such as dressing, meal preparation, and medication monitoring. Also keep in mind that it is common for top rehabilitation facilities to have waiting lists so it is important to start early to find a center that will accept your loved one when he or she is ready to be discharged.

But thinking about the returning home process right from the start is one of the best things you can do for your senior loved one. Discharge is a key point in the recovery process. Planning ahead and preparing for a safe return home can mean the difference between readmission and a full recovery. Many issues factor into why older adults are vulnerable to problems at home after they have been in a medical, hospice or rehabilitation setting.

In this section of our blog, called Returning Home, we offer you a number of resources, guidelines and tools to help you make your senior’s transition home go smoothly and result in a successful recovery.

The Importance of a Health Care Power of Attorney

What is a Health Care Power of Attorney?

Watching a loved one’s health decline is a difficult process and can be made even more stressful if he or she has not set up a health care power of attorney.

A health care power of attorney, also called a health care proxy or a durable power of attorney for health care, helps protect your loved one’s end-of-life wishes. It is a document that appoints a trusted individual to make decisions regarding your loved one’s medical care, and it becomes effective when he or she can no longer communicate effectively or coherently with others.

The person designated as your loved one’s health care power of attorney, also known as an “agent,” should be a trusted individual who knows your senior loved one’s religious beliefs and has the ability and time to act on his or her behalf.

Your loved one can give a health care agent as much or as little power to oversee his or her health care wishes and make medical decisions as feels comfortable. However, many people give their health care agent comprehensive power to supervise their care.

Each state has unique health care power of attorney laws and due to potential conflicts of interest, most do not allow medical providers or their employees to be named as agents. Many states also have free health care power of attorney forms that you can download from their websites.

What Medical Wishes Does a Health Care Power of Attorney Cover?

There are many health care issues to consider. Seniors and their health care power of attorney should be sure to discuss the following items:

• Does your loved one want aggressive health care measures or life-prolonging treatments in the event of a chronic and debilitating illness?
• Does he or she want to be resuscitated in the event of heart failure or stopped breathing?
• Are there any medical treatments to which he or she has a religious objection?

How to Help Your Loved One Appoint a Health Care Power of Attorney

Most of us do not like to consider the possibility that we may become incapacitated and unable to make our own decisions anymore. When discussing the need for a health care power of attorney with your loved one it is important to be considerate, patient and not demanding.

Below are some issues to consider when helping your loved one legally appoint a health care power of attorney:

• Make sure your loved one understands that the health care power of attorney document is intended to ensure that his or her wishes will be respected.
• Be careful about adding restrictive language to a health care power of attorney document as it is important that the agent is able to respond to changing medical needs as they develop, even ones that cannot be foreseen.

Remember, having a health care power of attorney provides many benefits to your senior loved one and his or her family and friends. For loved ones, the power of attorney gives them control of their affairs and ensures that they are handled exactly as they wish when they can no longer make decisions for themselves. And, family and friends will not have to second guess what their senior loved one would have wanted and will be given the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their loved one’s wishes are being fulfilled.

For additional information, you can also visit Lawyers.com or explore this pre-planning checklist.

For more information or to get answers to your questions, please contact your Home Instead Senior Care office in The Greater Phoenix, AZ area.   We can be reached via email at education@homeinstead.com.