How to Navigate Complexities of our Healthcare System
Recently I had the privilege to speak at a beautiful 55+ community alongside a panel of experts. The subject of this speaking engagement was to help patients and their families navigate the complexities within our healthcare system. The main speaker, Jan Leonelli is a patient advocate and former medical malpractice/ personal injury paralegal. It was also my pleasure to speak alongside Quince Novella, Geri Gembarowski and Traci Daugard from Salus Home Health Care. Jan, helped steer the residents in the right direction with how to manage Medical/ Medicare, difference between home healthcare, hospice/palliative care, POLST form/ Living Wills, Trust, estate planning etc.
Jan, highlighted the difference between Medicare plans, the importance of each plan and the estimated price breakdown per plan. Estimated timing of insurance coverage in rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, etc. There was also an emphasis on the significance in investing in long- term care insurance. As we all age it is scary to realize that regular insurance plans do not cover everything and investing in long-term care insurance is crucial. One key thing to remember is that the younger you are when investing in long-term insurance, the less you pay.
Quincey Novella, a case manager for Salus Home Health, discussed their services providing nursing care, caregiving, companionship, physical therapy all within the comfort of their clients home. Some of the services would be covered under insurance, and some would be out-of-pocket.
Geri Gembarowski (a hospice nurse) and Traci Daugard (a hospice liaison) both form Salus Home Health, differentiated between hospice and palliative care. Palliative care improves the quality of life for those that are receiving curative treatment. Think of someone that is trying to receive treatment for cancer while trying to remain comfortable at home. Hospice care is specifically for patients that are near the end of life and trying to keep them as comfortable as possible. Hospice services provides: evaluation,nursing visits, all medications, hospice physician, bathing and equipment including bed, wheelchair etc.
Following Salus Home Health, I had the privilege of introducing my services at Happy Heart Senior Living Advisors. Informing the residents that at no cost, I can help families find the right home for their loved ones based on needs, geographic location and personality of their family members. Unlike rather intrusive placement agencies (those that will not be named), I pride myself on my hand- holding approach touring with my clients and trying to negotiate rates for them. Explained how I knew the good, bad and ugly of some of these facilities and care homes, having researched the compliance of these homes as well as toured them myself. At the end of the day I would never want to place their loved ones in a place I personally wouldn't have my own family live in.
Jan then informed the differences of a POLST form, Living Will, Trust, Will and Estate Planning. The residents were also given guidance on how to properly prepare for a Living Will and Trust. Recommended a great attorney to work with and how to avoid inheritance taxes for your loved ones after passing.
The questions of these residents and their experiences were very valuable to the entire community in how to navigate the healthcare system for them and their loved ones. We plan to have many more of these speaking engagements to various areas coming soon.
If you or anyone you know is interested in arranging a speaking engagement for your community, we would be glad to visit. Please contact us through our contact form and we will get back to you right away.
