• Let’s Talk about Estate and Financial Planning by Felicia Junstunen

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    February 10, 2025 /  Basics, Difficult Conversations, End of Life Issues

    Constructive Conversations:

    Let’s Talk about Estate and Financial Planning

    Felicia Junstunen, Director of Care Management

    Elder Care Management hosts educational events throughout the Sacramento region. Here are three for March and April.

    March 11, Tuesday, at 10:30 am

    “Compassionate Communication for Aging Families”

    on Zoom, hosted by Del Oro CRC as part of the Kaiser education series

    Register at www.tinyurl.com/KA031125 

    March 17, Monday, 9am to 1:30 pm

    Sun City Roseville Senior Resource Fair

    Elder Care Management will host an information table

    April 9, Wednesday, at 10:00 am

    “Successful Aging: It Takes a Plan”

    Davis Senior Center: 646 A Street, Davis

    Register at www.tinyurl.com/ECM040925

    Last month we introduced our newsletter series for the year: turning difficult topics in aging families into constructive conversations. Most people agree that talking about their estate and especially finances is one of the most difficult issues to broach. Our money and how we manage it is a sensitive topic and typically a very private aspect of our lives, so it stands to reason that it is a hard topic to discuss with family members. However, care managers observe that those who take the initiative early on in their aging family’s journey to boldly enter conversation about this topic tend to report greater satisfaction and overall success later, when that information becomes vital. For those who own any property or have any assets to manage, the estate plan will influence their wellbeing as they age and impact their designated agents if they are called to act on their behalf.

    Facilitating a constructive conversation about the topic of financial planning starts with a purposeful approach- the desire to understand the means available for care as the older adult ages. There may be some education necessary for all family members to understand the cost of care, the expectations of where and how care will be accessed, and how assets might impact access to benefits. These are all questions that can be used to enter the conversation in a constructive and purposeful manner. Purposeful discussions can help clarify expectations about who is designated to represent the interests of the older adult when they need assistance managing their financial affairs. Talking about some typical scenarios can be a springboard for discussion: if you are hospitalized, who will pay your bills? This one question can cascade into many others to help unpack the estate plans that are in place, or not. Be prepared to thoughtfully listen, avoid judging, and remain intentional in your quest to keep the conversation constructive. There are times when third party resources may be helpful to carry a message of concern and support a constructive conversation. A trusted friend, physician, or clergy member may be effective in supporting the importance of a discussion. Leaning on the expertise of others can provide the assurance of objectivity- especially in financial matters.

    Several years ago, Elder Care Management was engaged to provide support for a couple, John and Karen*. John was living with dementia, and his wife Karen was his sole caregiver. Their only relative, Kathy, lived many states away and was herself caring for an ill husband. Kathy was concerned because she had no understanding of John and Karen’s estate plan, a limited understanding of their resources, and had recently learned of another distant relative who had been defrauded of their estate because of lack of oversight. Kathy recognized John and Karen were vulnerable but knew she could not be solely responsible for assisting them. She planned a visit with the couple and in advance contacted a reputable licensed fiduciary and arranged a meeting with Karen. Together, Kathy and the fiduciary helped Karen discuss the couple’s estate planning, and assisted her to put other supports in place, including fiduciary services and care management. Kathy had the assurance of a professional team to safeguard John and Karen, and the couple benefitted from local support as their aging journey continued.

    Discussions about financial and estate planning can be challenging, but positive outcomes are more likely when conversations happen early on, ahead of crisis or health decline. This strategy provides older adults with the opportunity to clearly state their plans and decisions to their designated agents and provides an opportunity for family members to help if those plans have not been clearly developed. Families may also benefit from the expertise of neutral third parties to help discuss this topic or provide the professional objectivity required in some estate planning discussions. Talking about money may not be easy but conversations that lead to well thought out plans are priceless.

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  • Caregiving: It’s a Balancing Act

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    August 3, 2023 /  Basics, Special Needs

    Elder Care Management is still my go to care managers because they can respond to a broader range of needs for my clients. They have ongoing seminars that help give guidance for you, the family caregiver, as you care for your loved ones.

    August 7th, 1:00pm Successful Aging: It Takes a Plan, Felicia Juntunen, Director of Care Management for ECM. This will take place at Eskaton Village Placerville

    There is a second presentation of this topic on August 15th, 2:00pm at Revere Court 7707 Rush River Dr. Sacramento 95831 (RSVP by 8/11/2023).

    Please contact Maureen Lawrence at maureen@eldercm.com for questions about these events.

    Caregiving: It's a Balancing Act

    Caregiving: It’s a Balancing Act

    by Felicia Juntunen, MA, CMC, ECM Director of Care Management

    Just a sampling of the statistics on caregiving provides a sobering perspective on why the topic of caregiving and support for caregivers is so important.

    According to The Family Caregiver Alliance, in 2015:

    ·    34.2 million Americans provided unpaid care to an adult over 50 years old.

    ·    16.1 million provided unpaid care for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia.

    ·    34% of caregivers were over the age of 65 and two-thirds were women.

    ·    25% of caregivers are “sandwich generation” providing care for an older adult and a child under age 18.

    ·    Americans provided 18.5 billion hours of care valued at $234 billion.

    Figures like these make it clear that we all have an interest in understanding the impact of caregiving, knowing the signs of stress and caregiver burnout, and knowing how to promote caregiver well-being.

    Whether care is provided by a family member or paid caregiver, the financial impact can be significant. Many family caregivers use after-hours, weekends, and vacations to meet the needs of their loved ones. To fulfill caregiving responsibilities, family caregivers often sacrifice time spent in other relationships and commitments. For those who utilize or plan to use paid caregivers, it’s important to understand the cost of care. In the last two years, due to labor shortages and new regulations, the hourly rate for in-home care has increased to approximately $38 an hour. An Aging Life Care Professional can assist a family in examining their options for care at home, and how to supplement and locate support resources. Care managers regularly help family caregivers by suggesting services, evaluating in-home care needs, attending medical appointments, and providing emotional support.

    The physical and emotional impact of caregiving is significant. Caregivers tend to put their own needs after that of their loved one, sometimes neglecting their own health and well-being. Studies show that the stress associated with caregiving increases the occurrence of chronic illness. Signs of caregiver stress include isolation, sleep deprivation, poor eating habits, failure to care for personal health needs, and frequent illness. Some signs of caregiver burnout may include becoming easily angered with the person being cared for, ongoing feelings of despair, and chronic insomnia. Understanding the signs of caregiver stress can help prevent the onset of caregiver burnout. A caregiver may not recognize these signs in themselves. A care manager can encourage family caregivers to recognize the importance of pursuing some balance between their own needs and the needs of their loved one.

    Aging Life Care Professionals provide support and education to family caregivers, recognizing their value and encouraging them to practice self-care so they can ‘go the distance’ in their role. It’s vital to help caregivers understand that considering and meeting their own needs does not mean they are selfish. Rather, it means they are dedicated to their role and understand they must remain healthy. Taking regular breaks and attending to their own health care is a good place to start. Attending a caregiver support group can ease isolation, offer information, and the value of a shared experience. Asking for and accepting help is also part of self-care. Help may mean asking someone to provide the caregiver with a few hours of respite by staying with their loved one. Help may mean hiring some paid caregiving assistance to supplement care. Even small increments of time a caregiver spends on themselves can have big dividends for their well-being and the well-being of their loved one. Chances are you know someone who is a caregiver. Offer them a helping hand and the encouragement they need to balance their caregiving responsibilities with their own self-care.

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  • Planning, Preparing, and Procuring…Successful Aging Takes Some Effort! by Gail Arno

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    October 1, 2021 /  Basics, Miscelleaneous

    Elder Care Management logo  I continue to work with Elder Care Management and have found them responsive, attentive, and knowledgeable. This is a guest blog from Gail Arno, CMC, Director of Care Management at Elder Care Management of Northern California. They have ongoing seminars related to care of our seniors. There is a Zoom training October 7, 2021 on Care Management 101 and another Zoom meeting October 21, 2021. In the first Zoom meeting, participants will gain a better understanding of Care Management and the profound benefits it provides and in the second, the importance of planning and recognizing. You can view and register on their website: www.eldercm.com For other questions, please contact Maureen, their Outreach Coordinator at 916-206-4420.

    Each day, our Care Managers meet our senior clients who are in the midst of their own crisis. Often, the issues we tackle are mild and manageable. Sometimes, however, the situation is serious and life-altering. As Care Managers, we accept these challenges and are honored to be able to step in to educate, support, navigate, and advocate for the best possible outcomes for every client we serve.

    We do believe, however, that these crises can be better managed when a preemptive plan is created and collective decision-making is put in place well ahead of the event. We certainly recognize that none of us knows exactly what we will face as we age.  But, by researching options, sculpting plans, identifying resources, and making our wishes known to our designated decision-makers, we will at least have a fighting chance to get what we want as our aging journey progresses.

    Elder Care Management is often brought into a client’s crisis and to find that there is no legal paperwork completed and that the client is in need of a properly designated and empowered decision-maker. At times, the family surfaces hoping to provide support only to find that no previous discussions have been had and there is no clear idea of what the wishes of the loved one might be. We also find ourselves diving into unresolved conflict within a family, charged with unraveling the disconnect and making sure that the client’s wishes are honored. Often, we are traversing that fine line between parent and adult child and encountering the inherent discomfort that comes with discussing the “tough stuff” with mom and dad. Releasing control and decision-making from parent to adult child can be so very challenging in the best of scenarios.

    Getting your legal house in order is critical.  Educating yourself and your loved ones on options that exist to support your goals in aging is invaluable, especially when done prior to a crisis. Making sure that your designated support systems know your wishes from the start of aging through the close of life is a gift you give not only yourself but those you love. Gathering information, determining your desires, setting out a course or plan of action, and letting those who will walk with you on that journey know your personal wishes should be the goal for all of us.

    We plan and prepare for births, educational journeys from kindergarten through college, weddings, growing a family, even travel, and yet many of us hesitate and refuse to plan for our own aging experience. With the assistance of a Care Manager, you can get the guidance necessary for planning, educating, and determining your wants and wishes. Identifying your choices and understanding your options is a huge part of being able to make wise decisions. We feel well equipped to offer you this opportunity. We come to you with no vested interest in the outcomes – we are a neutral party who is happy to answer your questions directly and honestly. We are happy to provide you with the research and resources to make your wishes come to fruition.

     

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