The Elder Options of Texas
Internet Library

CLICK HERE for articles about Texas senior living and elder care options.

AGING IN PLACE
Aging in Place refers to living where you have lived for years, typically not in a health care environment, using products, services, and conveniences which allow you to remain home as circumstances change. In other words, you continue to live in the home of your choice safely and independently as you get older.

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE | DEMENTIA | WARNING SIGNS
As many as 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer's and dementia triple healthcare costs for Americans age 65 and older. Every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer's is the seventh-leading cause of death. The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementia's to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year. 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. 

AREA AGENCIES ON AGING (AAA)
Provides a range of options that allow older adults to choose the home and community-based services and living arrangements that suit them best, AAAs make it possible for older adults to remain in their homes and communities as long as possible. A majority of services are free of charge but voluntary contributions are appreciated. Funded by the state and the Older American's Act of 1965. The Act also authorized funding under Title III to support a state unit on aging (AAA) in each state. Title III provides funds to each state to allow the state to carry out the intent of the Act. The allocations are based on the number of persons sixty years and older in each state.

ASSISTED LIVING

ELDER ABUSE SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, RISK FACTORS AND PREVENTION
In 2008, the Adult Protective Services program of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) completed 68,683 investigations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving adults living at home. Of those, 48,380 cases were confirmed as abuse. The majority of cases involve physical or medical neglect. Often, it was family members, such as adult children, spouses or grandchildren who were the perpetrators. 

ELDER CARE

CAREGIVER INFORMATION
Respite care allows caretakers to allow temporary or occasional time off to recoup emotionally, handle other family tasks or get away for awhile.

Elder Law
Elder Law is a relatively new specialized field of law that deals with the issues faced by the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, the elderly. This area of law combines elements of Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Conservatorship (also called Guardianship), Health Care Planning, Medicare/Medicaid Planning, and Elder Rights.

FRAUD AND SCAMS AGAINST SENIORS

GERIATRIC CARE MANAGEMENT
Geriatric Care Managers provide a variety of services for seniors and caregivers.  A Geriatric Care Manager generally provides a home assessment and then creates a senior care plan recommendation based on the interview.

GERONTOLOGY / GERIATRICS
Gerontology is the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging. It is distinguished from geriatrics, which is the branch of medicine that studies the disease of the elderly. A gerontologist is a specialist in gerontology. Geriatrics is the branch of medical science that deals with diseases and problems specific to old people.

GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRAND KIDS
The 2006 U.S. Census Community Survey found some 205 million grandparents nationwide are rearing their grandchildren. The reasons for it include drug use by parents, imprisonment, illness or death of the parent.

HOME CARE SERVICES
{Also called In-home care and personal assistant services}
Home care is care that allows a person with special needs stay in their home. It might be for people who are getting older, are chronically ill, recovering from surgery or disabled. Services can include personal care, such as help with bathing, washing your hair or getting dressed, homemaking, such as cleaning, yard work and laundry, cooking or delivering meals, health care, such as having a home health aide come to your home,errands and grocery shopping, respite or relief for family, transportation, medication reminders, activities, companionship and more.

HOME MODIFICATION AND REPAIR

MEDICARE RESOURCES
Medicare is the health insurance program administered by the U.S. Government, as most citizens know. Many residents are automatically enrolled in Medicare on their 65th birthday. Certain persons less than 65 years old can be eligible for Medicare insurance according to specific disability requirements. The Texas Medicare program offers additional benefits to its members.

MEDICAID RESOURCES
Medicaid is a Federal and State program that Texas began offering to qualified citizens in September of 1967. Both the federal and state agencies responsible match funds to provide low income individuals and families with medical coverage.

NURSING HOME CARE
A nursing home is a place for people who don't need to be in a hospital but can't be cared for at home. Most nursing homes have nursing aides and skilled nurses on hand 24 hours a day. Some nursing homes are set up like a hospital. The staff provides medical care, as well as physical, speech and occupational therapy. There might be a nurses' station on each floor. Other nursing homes try to be more like home. Some have special care units for people with serious memory problems such as Alzheimer's disease. Some will let couples live together. Nursing homes are not only for the elderly, but for anyone who requires 24-hour care. 

PLANNING FOR YOUR RETIREMENT: INVESTING & ESTATE PLANNING

POWER CHAIRS, SCOOTERS AND MOBILITY AIDS

PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS AND PROGRAMS

RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES

RV TRAVEL

REVERSE MORTGAGES
Reverse mortgages are becoming popular in America. HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA) created one of the first. The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is FHA's reverse mortgage program which enables you to withdraw some of the equity in your home. The HECM is a safe plan that can give older Americans greater financial security. Many seniors use it to supplement social security, meet unexpected medical expenses, make home improvements and more. 

SENIOR MOVE MANAGERS
Senior Move Managers are professionals who specialize in assisting older adults and their families with the emotional and physical aspects of relocation. They can help you with the following:  Developing an overall move plan, organizing, sorting and downsizing, customized floor plans, organizing, packing, and arranging for movers, painting, closet organization, window design, maximize new residence with current and new furnishings, purchasing of new items as needed, unpack and set up apartment on moving day, furniture and accessory placement, transfer of and/or disconnection of services, arrange for the sale of or donation of those items no longer needed, stock kitchen with fresh groceries on the day of your move and more.

SENIOR CENTERS & NUTRITION INFORMATION

STROKE RISK FACTORS, SYMPTOMS AND SUPPORT GROUPS
The American Heart Association estimates that about 780,000 Americans have a new or recurrent stroke each year. In people who survive a stroke, there may be paralysis, emotional problems, or trouble with speech, memory, or judgment. How bad the injury or impairment is depends on what artery was blocked and for how long. Most strokes happen in people 65 years and older. Although many strokes happen without warning, there are physical symptoms that may signal you are having a stroke. 

VETERANS BENEFITS

DISCLAIMER: Links to other websites or references to products, services or publications do not imply the endorsement or approval of such websites, products, services or publications by Elder Options of Texas. The determination of the need for senior care services and the choice of a facility is an extremely important decision. Please make your own independent investigation.