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The NCPC publishes periodic articles under the title "Planning for Eldercare". Each article is written to help families recognize the need for long term care planning and to help implement that planning. All elderly people, regardless of current health, should have a long term care plan. Learn More...
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From its inception, the goal of the National Care Planning Council has been to educate the public on the importance of planning for long term care. With that goal in mind, we have created the largest and most comprehensive source of long term care planning material available anywhere. This material -- "Guide to Long Term Care Planning" -- is free to the public for downloading and printing on all of our web sites. Learn More...
Assistance with disability is a broad term and may mean different things to different people but for our purposes we will define it as the following:
Many assistive technology devices and systems that support disabilities may serve as well a disability caused by a medical condition, but we have chosen here to differentiate between a medical or a non-medical use because we are talking about the elderly. Generally, for seniors, Medicare will reimburse 80% of the cost for rental or purchase of devices or systems that support disabilities due to a medical problem. Some items on the list we provide below of these devices or systems may also be included in Medicare's list of allowable durable medical equipment. Here is our list of devices in this category
If there is a medical need and if the device or system meets Medicare's definition of durable medical equipment (DME) below, then Medicare will pay for 80% of the cost and the Medicare recipient pays for the other 20%. In addition if the care recipient has a Medicare supplement policy, that policy usually covers the other 20% of the cost. Here is the list of what Medicare covers as of 2021.
This list is an example of devices for disabled persons or for those going through rehab at home.
Therapy Equipment
Hydrotherapy, Paraffin & Fluidotherapy, Iontophoresis, Biofeedback, Hot & Cold Therapy, Wellness & Massage Therapy and Electrotherapy & Ultrasound
Supports
Arthritis Supports, Wrist Supports, Elbow Supports, Cervical Collars, Back Supports, Ankle, Foot, & Heel Supports, Foot Management, Bed Positioning & Safety Products, Compression Products, Edema Garments, Thumb Supports, Contracture Management Splints, Upper Extremity Positioning/Supports, Thoracic & Pelvic Support, Knee Immobilizers, Knee Straps, Knee Supports, Thigh Supports, Ankle / Foot Orthoses, Heel & Elbow Protectors, Lower Extremity Positioning, Wound Care Products, Scar Management & Gel Products, Lymphedema Products and Taping Products
Dining
Knives, Supergrip Utensils, Sure Hand Utensils, Tapes & Tubing (for enlarging the diameter of an object), Utensil Holders, Acute Care Tables, Clothing Protectors, Dycem Nonslip Plastic Food Catchers, Home Care / Long Term Care Tables, Non-Slip Matting & Trays, Cups, Mugs & Nursers, Drinking Aids & Straws, Nosey Cups, Self Feeders & Arm Supports, Feeders, Arm Supports & Overbed Tables, JAECO / Rancho Mobile Arm Supports, Mobile Arm Support Accessories, Dinnerware, Feeding Evaluation Kits, Food Guards, Scoop Dishes, Suction Bowls & Plates, Tableware, Jar & Bottle Openers, Kitchen Supplies And Cooking Utensils
Bath , Toileting and Hygiene
Bath & Shower Chairs, Bath & Shower Seats, Bath Boards, Bath Transfer Benches, Bathing Systems, Beluga Bathlift, Folding Shower Seats, Hydraulic Bathlift, Reclining Shower / Commode Chairs, Shower Stools, Bath lifts, Commodes, Folding Commodes, Grab Bars, Lifting & Wooden Commodes, Raised Toilet Seats, Raised Toilet Seats & Splash Guards, Raised Toilet Seats with Armrests, Safety Rails, Toilet Frames, Toilet Supports & Reducer Rings, Bathing & Shower Cushions, Bathing & Shower Mats, Bathtub Grab Bars & Rails, Diabetic Foot Accessories, Grooming & Accessories, Hand-Held Showers, Scrub Sponges & Brushes, Incontinence Products, Mirrors, Catheterization Accessories, Urinals and Mattress Covers
Aids of Daily Living
Reachers, Door Knobs & Grip Assists, Furniture Risers, Home Accessories, Household Helpers, Trolley & Carts, Respiratory Care, Low Vision aids such as magnifying glasses and reading screens, Mouth Sticks & Headpointers, Speech & Communication aids, Language & Cognition aids and activities, Dressing Aids (button hooks, hooks, etc.), Dressing Education, Fasteners & Shoe Laces, Shoehorns, Slippers & Fasteners, Socks & Slippers, Leisure Activities and Helpers, Environmental Controls, Activity Tables, Book Holders, Page Turners & Reading Aids, Scissors, Writing Aids, Dysphagia Resources, Oral Motor aids
Special Clothing
Outer garments, underwear, leisure wear, footwear and other specialized clothing for elderly people with Alzheimer's, arthritis, mobility issues, foot problems, incontinence, scoliosis or obese individuals.
There are a growing number of companies that will make the home into a safe environment for a fee. Here is what one company called Safe Living Solutions, at http://www.safelivingsolutions.com/ will do.
What We Do. Reflecting on our mission statement, we are committed to improving the lifestyles of the older aged and the disabled. The many services we offer are based on an extensive and diligent focus on enhancing the lives of those that have a need of our services and will benefit from them.
There are many books available from bookstores and from online sources that give advice to caregivers in all areas of disability support. These sources often go beyond the issue of devices and equipment and deal with such things as meal preparation, menus, activities, music and other social issues important to the disabled. Private and government consulting are also available.
Many people with disabilities want to remain in their home as long as possible. Such things as narrow doorways that cannot accommodate wheelchairs, more than one living level and inconvenient layout of the home may prevent a person from living there. In addition, disabled people often require grab bars, special bathroom facilities and special dining facilities as well. There are three options to modifying the home.
1. Research can be done, and materials procured to make the home more livable and the family friend or relative can pitch in and do the remodel.
2. A contractor can be employed to do the necessary modifications.
3. An attempt can be made to find a local company that specializes in the home modification for the disabled. These providers may be readily available in larger population areas.
In addition help can be sought from the following community service providers.
The National Association Of Home Builders and the AARP have teamed together to form the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program. These people have been trained in the unique needs of the older adult population, aging in place home modifications, common remodeling projects, and solutions to common barriers. It may be possible to find a person in the desired area by going to http://www.nahb.org/or by calling the local home builders Association and asking for someone certified in this area.
Also, consider taking these steps:
This area of assistance focuses more on the use of devices that warn of problems with homebound people who are often without caregivers for certain periods of the day. This may include
A search on the Internet will lead to a list of these providers.