Senior Q & A -- September Edition

Senior Q & A: Answers to Common Questions About Senior Living

 

Q.   When a senior dies, when do the Social Security checks stop?

A.   When someone receiving benefits dies, notify Social Security as soon as possible.
In most cases, the funeral director will report the person’s death to Social Security. Give the funeral director the deceased’s Social Security number so he or she can report the report the death. No benefits are payable the month that a beneficiary dies. This means that the Social Security check received the month after an individual has died should be returned to the Social Security Administration. Methods for returning the check differ depending on whether the check is direct deposited or arrives in the mail. If Social Security checks are being direct deposited, notify the bank as soon as possible. If the check arrives in the mail, take it to a local Social Security office to have the receiver’s name changed.

Generally, the name will be changed to that of a close family member—such as a spouse or unmarried child. Family members often are eligible for survivor benefits when a retired worker dies. Additionally, spouses receive a one-time payment of $255 if they lived with the deceased at the time of death, or if they were receiving Social Security benefits based on the earning records of the deceased. In cases where there is no spouse, children who are eligible for benefits based on the deceased’s work record may collect the one-time payment. For more information, visit http://www.ssa.gov/.

Q.  What is early-onset Alzheimer’s?

A.  Younger-onset (also known as early-onset) Alzheimer’s affects people younger than age 65.
Up to 5 percent of the more than 5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s have younger-onset. Many people with early onset are in their 40s and 50s. They have families, careers or are even caregivers themselves when Alzheimer’s disease strikes. In the United States, it’s estimated that approximately 200,000 people have early onset. Some people with early-onset Alzheimer’s have the common form of the disease, and experts don’t know why these people get the disease at a younger age than others do. For most, however, early-onset Alzheimer’s runs in the family. They’re likely to have a parent or grandparent who also developed Alzheimer’s at a younger age. If you’re experiencing memory problems, get a comprehensive medical evaluation with a doctor who specializes in Alzheimer’s disease. Getting a diagnosis involves a medical exam and possibly cognitive tests, a neurological exam and/or brain imaging. The diagnosis is fundamental in helping the family respond with appropriate understanding and compassion. In addition, a complete evaluation will rule out reversible forms of dementia that might improve with treatment.

Q.  How can I help a senior loved one get proper nutrition if they have difficulty chewing?

A.  The key is to be creative when thinking about food.
When dental pain, an upset stomach, or a dry mouth makes eating difficult, mealtime can feel more like a chore than a joy. It can be frustrating for seniors if they’re no longer able to enjoy some of the foods they’re used to eating. And you may worry about how to ensure your senior loved one gets all the nutrition they need. But, with a few small changes to their diet or the way the food is prepared, they can continue to enjoy meals that are healthy and taste good. The key is to be creative when thinking about food. For example, if they love meat, but steak is out of the question, they could try having lean hamburger or beef stew instead. Or look for other sources of protein, such as baked or broiled fish. Eggs are also a good way to get protein and they’re soft. Vegetables can be cooked to make them softer or cut up and added to soups, stews, and casseroles for easy chewing. Canned or frozen vegetables are another easy-to-chew option. Many soft fruits, such as berries and melons lend themselves to easy chewing. But for even greater ease, they can be cut into in a fruit salad or blended into a smoothie with a bit of yogurt and juice.

Q.  What’s the difference between independent living, assisted living and other senior living options?

A.  The key difference between independent living and other housing options is the level of assistance offered for daily living activities and health care.
If a senior loved one requires around-the-clock help with eating, dressing, and using the toilet, or requires regular medical assistance, other housing options such as assisted living facilities or nursing homes may be a better fit.  Practical needs to consider might include:

• Transportation.
  Do they plan to continue driving? What are the options in their area if they need to stop driving at some point?
• Finances.
  Do they have the income to cover their needs, including in-home care if they could use it?
• Health Care.
  Do they live near their doctors and a hospital? What do they plan to do if they have a medical problem on the weekend or on a holiday?
• Household Maintenance.
  Which tasks can they still handle, and which do they need help with? Who is available — volunteer or professional — to help out?
• Cognitive Ability.
  Does the elder show any slight signs of dementia?

If you’re in the process of evaluating senior living residences for yourself or a loved one, alternativesforseniors.com provides a number of helpful tools. Use the Independent Living Checklist to help determine if an independent living situation is the best choice. Use the Assisted Living Checklist to help with information gathering when visiting various senior living residences. Use the Nursing/Rehab Checklist to heighten your awareness of what to look for as you assess different nursing or rehabilitation homes.

 

BLOG Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Writer: Ryan Allen