Working Caregivers - loss of production

I'm sure it wouldn't surprise you to learn that the annual cost to U.S. businesses due to lost productivity of working caregivers is a whopping $17.1 to $33.6 billion dollars*[1]

As Boomers grow older, the number of workers raising kids while simultaneously caring for aging parents is skyrocketing. When they are torn between caring for elderly loved ones and the demands of their job, the impact on work performance can be staggering. Missed deadlines. Loss of productivity. Absenteeism. It all adds up. It's estimated that businesses lose $2,441 per employed caregiver each year.

David Wingate is president of Senior Life Care Planning LLC. Since launching this company his vision has been to be the preferred and trusted leader in elder law/senior care, respected for providing the most effective, compassionate and innovative care possible. The experience of his staff, which, unlike other elder law providers, includes social workers, is unparalleled.

As a speaker and writer, Mr. Wingate lends his expertise to such topics as life care planning. He has been addressing issues that impact the healthcare industry, especially as they relate to the aging population's urgent need for pro-active strategies regarding health and finances and the engagement of quality caregivers.

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[1] *Figures courtesy of Private Duty Insider, Feb.2008

David Wingate #1 Elder Law Attorney

The Elder Law Office of David Wingate has been selected by the Frederick County Bar Association as the Number One (#1) Elder Law Attorney.

Mr. Wingate is also the founder of Senior Life Care Planning, LLC, a senior care and advocacy organization, that has enjoyed much success and high regard in our community. Speaking on his reputation in the community, Mr. Wingate states "Helping people has always been a priority in my life. Clients come to see us because we have been recommended. I couldn't be more proud."

Senior Life Care Planning is a senior advocacy provider that boosts an elite team of care managers.

David Wingate has led the company since its inception towards a vision of being "the preferred and trusted leader" in the senior community. His success is not by luck, he is an experienced business leader, recognized in the senior community as a leader, and lends his expertise to those who require it.

Mr. Wingate considers his selection as the #1 Elder Law Attorney as an "honor" and says of his commitment to the community "I believe that helping others isn't something that stops after work, it's a way of life."

Home for the Holidays

The annual trek to the family homestead can bring more stress than joy for adults with elderly, disabled or chronically-ill parents. Mom’s chronic condition is getting worse. Dad can barely take care of himself, let alone manage mom’s needs. The bills aren’t getting paid. The house is a wreck.

“The holiday season is the time when many adults are forced to confront the reality of parents’ declining health,” says David Wingate, an elder law attorney. “We get many calls this time of year, mostly from adults from out of the area who come home to attend a holiday gathering and discover that mom or dad can no longer function on their own. It’s terrifying to go home and find out that parents need help with basic, care, especially when both spouses are already working outside the home.”

When the holidays reveal the truth about a parent’s health, finding someone to look after mom or dad becomes an urgent priority. Senior Life Care Planning, LLC provides the most comprehensive guide to services and support available in Frederick County. They offer helpful tips on a wide variety of subjects, including legal issues, housing, Medicare, caregiver support, VA benefits, health benefits, financial issues and long-term care. Also, information for social services and government agencies, long-term care facilities, home care services, legal and financial resources and more.

“Most people don’t know where to begin to support their parents who are struggling with illness or disability,” said Wingate. “The challenge is even greater when you’re only in town for a few weeks or less and don’t have much time to locate the care your parents need. We help to make it easier for families to find the help they need and regain peace of mind.”

Residents of Frederick and the surrounding area can get their free copy of Life Care Planning guide by calling 301 663 9230.

For more information, call 301 663 9230 or visit www.seniorlcp.com.

10 Elder-Friendly Bills in Congress That May Now Have New Life

Fresh from their recent electoral victories, Congressional Democratic leaders are vowing to pursue an aggressive agenda when the 111th Congress opens in January. While the economy will doubtless be the top priority, health care will not be far down the list. Over the past year and a half, lawmakers have introduced a number of bills that address long-term care financing, nursing home care and elder abuse. With a strengthened Democratic majority and a Democratic president, a number of these measures now have a good chance of being enacted into law.

Following are summaries of ten promising bills:

Improving Nursing Home Care

• Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act (S. 2838)

Introduced: April 9, 2008

Sponsor: Sens. Herb Kohl (D-WI), Mel Martinez (D-FL)

Description: Provides that a pre-dispute arbitration agreement between a long-term care facility and a resident (or anyone acting on the resident's behalf) shall not be valid or specifically enforceable.

Status: Approved by Senate Judiciary Committee. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar for a full Senate vote.

• Nursing Home Transparency and Quality of Care Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 7128)

Introduced: Sept. 26, 2008

Sponsor: Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA)

Summary: To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to increase the transparency of nursing home ownership, ensure that residents and their families have information about the quality of care at these facilities, and strengthen enforcement of nursing home compliance with quality of care standards.

Status: Introduced.

Companion or related bills: H.R. 5799, S. 2641

Combating Elder Abuse

• The Elder Justice Act (H.R. 1783)

Introduced: March 27, 2007

Sponsor: Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL)

Summary: To provide states with resources to prevent elder abuse, increase prosecution of those who mistreat the elderly and provide victim assistance. It will also improve long-term care and support for senior citizens dubbed "at risk." Note that the bill was introduced by the new White House Chief of Staff in the incoming Obama Administration. Esquire magazine reports that a woman's story about her father's abuse at a local nursing home led to Emanuel's introducing it.

Status: Reported out (amended) by House Judiciary Committee, 6/11/2008

Companion bill: S. 1070

• Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act of 2007 (S.1577)

Introduced: June 7, 2007

Sponsor: Sen. Herbert Kohl (D-WI)

Summary: A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require screening, including national criminal history background checks, of direct patient access employees of skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, and other long-term care facilities and providers. The bill also would expand a seven-state pilot program established under the 2003 Medicare law, providing as much as $160 million in grants over three years to states wishing to participate in the program.

Status: Reported out (amended) by Senate Finance Committee 9/22/08. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar for a full Senate vote.

Companion bill: H.R. 3078

Fostering Alternatives to Institutionalization

• Independence at Home Act of 2008 (S. 3613)

Introduced: Sept. 26, 2008

Sponsor: Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)

Summary: A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide certain high-cost Medicare beneficiaries suffering from multiple chronic conditions with access to Independence at Home services in lower-cost treatment settings, such as their residences, under a plan of care developed by an Independence at Home physician or Independence at Home nurse practitioner.

Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance

Companion or related bill: H.R. 7114

• Empowered at Home Act of 2008 (S. 3327)

Introduced: July 24, 2008

Sponsor: Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)

Summary: A bill to make it easier for states to provide home and community-based services (HCBS) to Medicaid recipients. Revises the income eligibility level for HCBS for elderly and disabled individuals. Authorizes a state to offer HCBS services under a waiver to eligible individuals that differ in type, amount, duration, or scope from the HCBS waiver services offered to other such individuals

Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance

Companion bill: H.R. 7212

• Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act (S. 1758)

Introduced: July 10, 2007

Sponsor: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA)

Summary: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to help individuals with functional impairments and their families pay for services and supports that they need to maximize their functionality and independence. The measure creates an insurance program for adults who become functionally disabled, providing a cash benefit to help obtain services and supports, while providing those with disabilities more choices on community participation, education, and employment.

Status: Hearings held by Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, 7/10/07

Companion bill: H.R. 3001

• Community Choice Act of 2007 (S. 799)

Introduced: March 7, 2007

Sponsor: Sen. Thomas Harkin (D-IA)

Summary: A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports.

Status: Hearings held by Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, 7/10/07

Companion bill: H.R. 1621

Making Long-Term Care More Affordable

• Long-Term Care Affordability and Security Act of 2007 (S. 2337)

Introduced: Nov. 13, 2007

Sponsor: Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA)

Summary: Would allow employees to pay long-term care insurance premiums with pre-tax dollars and employers to offer long-term care insurance under so-called cafeteria plans, which allow employees to select from a number of tax-exempt benefits, as well as flexible spending accounts. Bill also would improve consumer protections for long-term insurance.

Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance

Companion bill: H.R. 3363

• Comprehensive Long-Term Care Support Act of 2008 (H.R. 7095)

Introduced: Sept. 25, 2008

Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD)

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction from gross income for the cost of long-term care premiums for the taxpayer and certain family members, including the taxpayer's spouse, ancestors, or lineal descendants. Phases in the deduction over three years. Allows long-term care insurance as a benefit under tax-qualified cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements. Allows a $3,000 tax credit for caregivers of individuals with long-term health care needs, with the credit phased in over five years. Reduces the amount of the credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes over $75,000 ($150,000 for joint returns). Rep. Sandlin introduced the same bill in each of the two previous Congresses, both of which died in committee.

Status: Referred to the House Ways and Means and House Education and Labor Committees