Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of common questions about eldercare information & services and Parent Your Parents. Should you have any further questions, please consult our Contact Us page.

What is the Census and Why is it Necessary?

The U.S. Constitution mandates that a census of the population be conducted every 10 years, and the next Census Day is April 1, 2010. You can expect to receive your census form and a return envelope in the mail between March 15 and March 17 in areas where the U.S. Postal Service delivers forms for the Census Bureau. If you mail back the completed form, you probably won't need a personal visit from a census worker. The census is more than just counting people. Census results determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and help determine the allocation of federal funds for such things as school lunch programs, senior citizen centers, highway construction, and hospitals. More importantly, every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to local, state, and tribal governments based on census data.
To learn more, visit www.2010census.gov.

What 's the difference between "SSID" and "SSDI"?

SSID, or SSI, is the way some people refer to "Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Disability" benefits. SSI disability benefits are paid to people who have limited incomes and resources. SSDI is the way some people refer to "Social Security Disability Insurance" benefits. Social Security disability benefits go to people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a long enough time to be covered by Social Security. Some people qualify for both "SSI" and "SSDI" if their Social Security benefit is low enough for them to receive SSI. To learn more about Social Security and SSI, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

Submitted by Rita Meier, Nevada Public Affairs Specialist in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What is "Vial of Life"?

Vial of LIFE (Lifesaving Information For Emergencies)
Its purpose is to provide you with an easy way to store medical information at home – where emergency medical personnel can find it.

The Vial of LIFE program is a FREE service SYNERGY HomeCare provides to their clients families and their communities. Contact SYNERGY HomeCare-East Valley for more information: info@shcofaz.com or call 888-331-6770

Why choose home care services versus leaving home?

People like the comfort, familiarity and freedom that staying in their own home affords them. In a 2000 AARP nationwide survey of Americans aged 75 and older, 95 percent said they "strongly agree" that they want to stay in their homes.

It is not always easy to admit that assistance would improve quality of life, for both the client and their loved ones. We help families come to terms with accepting help in the home everyday, and find that with a little guidance, the process is easier than anticipated. The benefits of staying at home - maintaining independence, preserving dignity and protecting privacy - typically outweigh any drawbacks.

Submitted by Sue Cook, Homewatch CareGivers-Summerlin. Homewatch CareGivers care plans are custom-fit to match your wants and your needs. Whether it be a few hours a day to 24-hour care for someone of any age, we want your family to receive the best possible in-home care, wherever home may be. For more information, call Sue or Melissa at 702-341-8600 or e-mail: summerlin@homewatchcaregivers.com.

What is a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)?

A PERS provides seniors or other adults the security and confidence to help them live independently and safely at home. When you have a PERS unit, help is always at hand. With the simple push of a button on a wrist band or pendant, a professionally trained representative will answer the client through the two-way, tabletop PERS console and respond to the call for help. The representative will then dispatch the appropriate help and stay on the phone until help arrives — an ambulance, neighbor, family or friends.

This information was submitted by Pat Catalli from Comfort Keepers in Las Vegas. Comfort Keepers now offers a PERS system called SafetyChoice. It’s affordable and dependable. To learn more about the SafetyChoice™ by Comfort Keepers® in-home technology solutions in the Las Vegas area, call Pat and Gino Catalli at 702-385-1000.

What is the difference between Home Health care and In-Home, Non-Medical care?

Home Health care is provided by nurses and other clinical personnel. They generally provide services based on physician orders. In-Home, Non-Medical care, are services that do not require clinical personnel. These services do not require a physician’s orders.

Submitted by: Gail Silverstein, President of Care Corner Personal Services. Care Corner Personal Services tailors our in-home care services to fit your needs. Services are available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Call Phoenix/W. Valley: 602.943.4321 or East Valley/Scottsdale: 480.833.8889

What is a Relocation Move Manager?

A Relocation Move Manager is a professional who specializes in assisting older adults and their families with the emotional and physical aspects of relocation and/or “aging in place.”

Some services typically provided by a Relocation Move Manager:
• Developing an overall move or “age in place” plan
• Organizing, sorting and downsizing
• Customized floor plans
• Arranging for the profitable disposal of unwanted items through, estate sale, buy-out, donation, or a combination of the above
• Scheduling the movers
• Arranging shipments and storage
• Professional packing
• Unpacking all boxes, disposing of all trash, setting up the new home same day as the move in and even placing the tooth brush in the cup, hanging pictures, making the beds and so much more
• Providing a “ Welcome Home Feeling”
• Provide referrals for a realtor, handyman, estate/auction sales, home care, cleaning services
Debbie Meyer of Moving You Simply, LLC is a Relocation Move Manager. Besides relocating Seniors; she also assists individuals who choose to stay in their own homes by, using her expertise, organizational skills and solid knowledge of “aging in place” concepts to help them achieve their goal of not moving anywhere, but improving quality of life and safety! CALL DEBBIE MEYER FOR A FREE CONSULTATION TODAY! 480-216-5387

Where can I get Medicare counseling?

The Nevada State Health Insurance assistance Program (SHIP) has become know as a trusted source for unbiased information about Medicare and related insurances, fraud and abuse, and consumer assistance.
*Call (702) 486-3478 for an appointment at our Las Vegas Office.
*Make an Appointment at one of the local, statewide Senior Centers.
*Call (800) 307-4444.
*Visit www.nvaging.net.

How can ParentYourParents.com help me?

ParentYourParents.com is a local and comprehensive resource and information site serving Southern Nevada.
The Getting Started Assessment gathers information based on your loved-one's specific needs.
The Provider Section offers a listing of local providers in all fields of service focused on the senior community and elder care.
The Vital Information Packet (exclusive to this website) is an excellent reference tool to document important information about your loved-one, or yourself, to have in case of emergencies.
The Resource Section offers access to our local senior calendar, links to local, state and national websites, and our glossary of elder care terms.
Comprehensive brochures, checklists, documents, and conversation starters can be easily downloaded and printed for your convenience.

What is an Advance Directive?

An Advance Directive is a written document that:
Describes your healthcare choices for treatment and preferences for care during those times when you are unable to make a decision or tell others what you would want;

Informs medical staff as to your expressed desires for treatments that you want or treatments that you do not want, and;

Identifies a person (18 years or older) who you trust to speak for you or an individual who you want to make decisions on your behalf.

What is a reverse mortgage?

If you are age 62 or older and have built up at least 40-50% equity in
your home, a reverse mortgage will allow you to borrow against the
equity in your home. Instead of continuing to make mortgage payments,
you get paid back the money you already have in it – that’s the “reverse”
part.
You never have to repay the loan as long as you live in your home and
you can choose to receive the cash disbursements as monthly income, a
line of credit, or a lump sum. Also, because the FHA/HUD program is
backed by the US government, you will never owe more than the value
of your home – even if you receive monthly payments for the next 20
years. Finally, you keep title to your property – it stays part of your
estate.

Courtesy of ReverseMortgageGuides.org