Former military members who live far from VA centers often drive miles to get care at those facilities. However, when they need these services in their homes, the distance can seem like an impassable barrier.

Fortunately, there are ways to get home care veteran services even when you live far from any VA center. Here is how to do it and how Wellspring can help.

Would you like to get the home care services you need in your own home? Contact us at WellSpring Home Health to find out how.

Common Challenges of Aging in Place

Aging can bring incredible challenges for many older adults. Physical limitations can make everyday activities difficult or even impossible without assistance. At this time of life, you might need help with personal activities such as bathing, preparing meals, running errands, and getting where you need to go.

In addition, some veterans have disabilities, illnesses, or injuries that require skilled nursing care. If this describes your situation, home care services to help manage daily medical needs may be a must. You may also need disability care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or other types of therapeutic services to live well at home.

Yet, even with all these challenges, it is very rare that older adults look forward to living in nursing homes. In fact, according to the AARP, 90% of people over 65 would prefer to stay in their own homes as they get older. The good news is that home care services can help you stay where you want to be – in your home.

How to Get Veteran Home Care Services Where You Are

While you might be aware that home care services exist, you might wonder if they are available to you where you are. As a veteran, you likely know that the VA does provide many services for you at their facilities. But what happens if you don’t live near any VA centers? In that case, getting elder care in your home may seem financially out of reach. Fortunately, there is a program that helps veterans get the personal care and nursing care they need while aging in place.

What Is the VA A&A?

The Veterans Administration offers two programs for older veterans without requiring them to live near a VA center. One is the VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) program, and the other is the Housebound program. Both offer an increase in monthly VA pension amounts to help with daily activities and nursing care.

To qualify for the A&A program, you must be a veteran receiving a pension. You may meet the other criteria if you:

• Need help with daily activities, such as dressing, eating, or bathing.
• Have to stay in bed all or most of the time due to illness.
• Live in a nursing home because of mental or physical disabilities.
• Your corrected vision measures at 5/200 or less, or your visual field is 5 degrees or less.

You may be eligible for the VA Housebound program if you are mostly or completely confined to your home due to a permanent disability.

For either program, you must qualify for a VA pension.

How to Apply for VA A&A

As a veteran, you can apply for these programs to receive an increased pension amount that you can use for home care services. You start by filling out VA Form 21-2680, the Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance.

Your doctor can help you fill it out by completing the examination and information section for you. Add any extra information to help make your case, such as details about how you now try to manage your daily activities or the type of illnesses, injuries, or disabilities that interfere with your ability to do them. Then, mail it to your pension management center.

Approval is not automatic, of course, and it can take time to get through the process. The pension management center might ask for additional information or evidence, for example. However, once you have been approved, the benefit is well worth the time and effort.

VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care

The VA also has a program for veterans who receive VA Standard Medical Benefits. The program is for veterans who have a documented need for help with daily care activities when they cannot perform them due to medical conditions.

How to Apply for the Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care Program

If you need the services provided by the Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care program, talk to your VA case manager. They can help you with the paperwork and self-assessments required. The VA will evaluate your need for personal care services and decide if you qualify. In some cases, you may need to pay a copay for services, but not all veterans do.

Home-Based Primary Care

Another program offered by the government is the Home-Based Primary Care, or HBPC, program. This program is for all enrolled veterans who have the need for complex home services due to chronic, disabling, progressive medical conditions.

Qualifying for HBPC

To qualify for this program, you must be enrolled to receive VA health services. You also must demonstrate a need for complex care. If you meet the criteria for this program, you receive home care services such as at-home doctor visits, medical social work, rehabilitation services, therapy, nutritional services, and medication. You pay the same copay for these services as you would if you received them at a VA facility.

To apply for the Home-Based Primary Care program, you can speak with your VA case manager or social worker. They can help you complete the Application for Extended Care Benefits, VA Form 10-10EC. When your application is approved, you will be notified of what your copay for services will be, if any.

Types of Services Available for Veteran Home Care

Home care services can include two types of care. The first is provided by skilled professionals, such as registered nurses, specialists in medical social work, and a variety of therapists. They can help you with nursing care and therapy to safeguard your health and improve or maintain your physical and mental abilities. They work with your primary care doctor to ensure all the different services are customized to meet your unique needs and work well together.

The second type of service is offered by all our non-skilled home health providers who assist with nonmedical care. This personal care includes assistance with daily activities such as:

• Bathing and grooming
• Preparing and eating meals
• Running errands
• Housekeeping
• Transportation
• Bowel and/or bladder care

At WellSpring Home Health, we provide these home care services in the Anchorage, Alaska, Wasilla, Washington, and Tacoma areas. Our friendly, helpful staff has the skills, qualifications, and commitment needed to provide a large variety of services for you as a veteran and others seeking to live at home as they age.

Elder care and disability care are our specialties, so we know how to meet your needs for both skilled and non-skilled home care. Our team of providers works together to give you the assistance you need to live your life in the place where you feel most comfortable and at home.

When you rely on Wellspring Home Health for veteran home care services, you can relax and look forward to the time ahead, enjoying the home that means so much to you.  You can remain more independent, connect with your community, and live a life that is more satisfying to you.

Are you a veteran seeking home health services to stay in your home? Reach out to Wellspring to find out how we can help you accomplish your mission!

The post How Veterans Can Get Home Care Without Living Near the VA appeared first on Wellspring Home Health Center.

Physical therapy is a vital part of aging well, and it’s available if you’re receiving skilled home care services. Continue reading on why physical therapy is essential for Alaska’s elders, what the benefits are, and how you can get started to feel relieved and rejuvenated.

Interested in receiving physical therapy services? Contact our office.

Why Physical Therapy Is Important for Elders 

As mentioned previously, over time, our bones, joints, and muscles don’t function the way they used to. That is due to putting wear and tear on your body, like performing strenuous activity throughout the years; this includes anything from putting away groceries, lifting heavy items or boxes, or just even using your strength to stand and sit every day.  

If you notice any muscle pain, joint damage or think you are developing arthritis, solutions and treatments can help alleviate the pain you are experiencing. Physical activity and exercise are extremely beneficial to you and your health, which is why so many doctors and nutritionists recommend daily exercise, even if it’s just going for a nice walk around the park.

According to John Hopkins medicine, maintaining physical activity can help the heart and prevent common diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Just doing a little bit of exercise daily will:

• Lower your blood pressure
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Works to reduce inflammation
• Improves blood flow
• Increased amount of oxygen
• Reduces stress
• And more

Physical therapy can even help against injuries. Suppose you injured your back or sprained your ankle. In that case, physical therapy can help alleviate the pain you are having with the assistance of trained professionals who understand which pressure points to hit, exercises that will benefit you the most, and stretches that prevent the pain from coming back.

The Benefits of Physical Therapy 

Physical therapy serves many benefits because it helps you get back on your feet and feel independent again. Why suffer through the pain and worry whether you might not be able to do a particular activity ever again. Tackle your issues and get back to feeling like yourself again.

For example, if someone injured their back and never got the treatment they needed, would they go back and change it? Of course. Once you understand you don’t need to “live with it,” you would do whatever it took to fix it.  

You ever wonder why the elderly talk so much about their past? Who wouldn’t want to go back to their younger days? That’s when they didn’t have to worry about “getting old” and the back and knee pain they have to put up with now. Back then, they knew they didn’t have to worry about any of that stuff because their bones were in the best condition and shape, they could ever be in.

Well, you don’t have to feel like you’re going to suffer forever. That is why physical therapy is here to help your bones stay strong, and you are getting as much exercise as possible. Check out the many benefits of physical therapy.

Physical Therapy Prevents Disease 

That is correct; as we mentioned previously, physical activity and a daily dose of exercise decrease the risk of many common diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. This is because when you work out and exercise, you are improving the blood flow and airflow throughout your body, you’re sweating out toxins, and you’re building muscle.

Boosts Your Mental Health 

Ever hear the saying, “let exercise be your stress reliever”? It’s true. Physical therapy can help reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. But, when you get done with your exercise routine, how do you feel? You leave feeling refreshed, more motivated, and you feel good about the work you just put in. Does it make you feel happy, almost like you’re buzzing from how well you performed? Thank your endorphins. Your brain releases these hormones after you work out or get done with your physical therapy session.

Physical Therapy Decreases Your Risk of Falling 

If you aren’t physically active, the older you get, the more you are prone to falls. This is because when the bones become feeble, it’s often possible for your legs or knees to give out, causing you to fall and severely injure yourself. Physical therapy can be a great outlet to seek help to keep your bones and joints strong and long-lasting. 

How You Can Get Started 

Physical therapy is available for everyone and is easily accessible and is an excellent resource more people should take advantage of. Take on something new or something you’ve never done before that you may have wanted to for a while. Let’s face it, our bodies can never go back to how they were when you were younger, but you can work back to getting as close as possible with the help of physical therapy.

Physical therapy can be full of positivity and a natural mood booster, especially when seeing results. For example, suppose you are having a difficult time bending down to pick something up. It feels like your back may give out at any moment; physical therapy can get you feeling normal within a couple of weeks to a couple of months. In that case, you will be able to bend down without the same pain you were experiencing before.

Getting started is easy. You have to want to do it and once you can get yourself to begin actively going a couple of times a week or even just once is a huge step, and you will be able to see improvements almost immediately.

Want to learn more? Get in touch with us.

Get Going With WellSpring Home Health 

WellSpring Home Health offers quality home care from reliable professionals. Our goal is to help Alaska’s seniors live safely and comfortably in your home. Our team of experts are dedicated to making sure you receive the personalized care you need and with the courtesy and respect, you deserve.

At WellSpring Home Health, we offer physical therapy through our skilled home care services. We have physical therapists who are trained and certified professionals who will be able to develop a plan by, of course, working with your physicians’ orders. Our physical therapists can come right to your home, so you don’t have to worry about transportation. Their work includes:

• Performing a movement and joint motion analysis
• Developing therapeutic exercise programs
• Training to help coordination and balance
• Mobility assistance
• Pain management
• And more.

We also offer many other services such as skilled home care, veteran services, and even pediatric services. So, if you are interested in getting started on your journey to experience greatness again, we have the right tools, resources, and experienced staff members to help you get back on track and feeling good again.

Want to get started? Contact us to set up an assessment.

The post Alaska Home Care Services: Does it Include Physical Therapy? appeared first on Wellspring Home Health Center.

According to Senior Voice, the population of Alaskan seniors who are 65 and older has grown significantly and will continue to increase as the years go on. The senior population in Alaska has grown by more than five percent every year since 2010, in which we had 55,000 seniors. It is now estimated that by 2035 there will be 138,000 seniors in Alaska. 

Many people are choosing to grow old in Alaska, which means there is a growing demand for elder care services. Here are some things that make home care services in Alaska different. 

Looking for a one-of-a-kind Alaskan home care experience? Give us a call! 

The Benefits of Choosing a Home Care Service Provider 

With an uptick in Alaska’s senior population, the more and more seniors in Alaska will need some sort of safety net, home care services, and much more. We want our elders to understand that there are solutions to receiving the type of care they are looking for. Check out some of the benefits of choosing a home care service provider: 

• Stay within the comfort of your own home – Many elders want to age in their own homes. Some may have no interest in picking up their things and locating elsewhere because it may not feel like “home” to them and that is completely okay! That is why when you seek guidance from a home care provider, they will be able to come directly to you – whether that means for a few hours or the full day. We will be there for you. 
• Receive personal care – It may be difficult for seniors to take care of all their own needs in a given day, such as bathing, cooking meals, shopping, medications, and so much more. With the assistance of a home care provider, you won’t have to worry about any of that and all the stress will be lifted off your shoulders for you. 
• Keep families together with home care support – When seniors live in a facility, it can be difficult for their family and friends to visit frequently. Home care providers make it possible for family members to stay involved in their loved one’s day-to-day life while knowing the senior always has the proper guidance and care they need.
• Provide more flexibility – With a home care provider, seniors will have the ability to get back to the things they love, develop or work on a new hobby, or simply enjoy retirement the way they choose. This frees up their time to live life on their own term while having a support system that encourages them daily. 

Alaska is the Place to Be, Especially for Elders 

The senior population is skyrocketing in Alaska because seniors can pursue a better quality of life in a beautiful environment. Here are a few of the perks that seniors are moving to Alaska for.

Slow Down 

It’s no secret as to why so many people want to move to Alaska or want to grow old here. While Alaska is filled with beautiful nature and scenery, it’s also the perfect place to live in terms of day-to-day living. Alaska is a place where you don’t have to stress about beating traffic in the morning on the way to work or the grocery store. People move at the leisure of their own pace, and seniors who move here enjoy being able to slow down and take each day one step at a time. 

New Lifestyle 

Alaska is also a great place to start a new lifestyle. It has plenty of space for you to build the life you have always envisioned. As people start to get older and retire from their jobs, they naturally want to embrace the things they love and have always wanted to do. Their focus becomes to live a happy, peaceful, and stress-free life, and Alaska is the perfect place to do that.  

No State Income Tax 

You heard that right. Many people are upping and moving their lives to Alaska because of the financial perks. Although Alaska’s housing market is relatively high, you won’t have to worry about paying state income tax or extra sales tax. 

If you’re ready to make the move to beautiful Alaska, we are here to help! 

Home Care Services Offered Up North 

Here at WellSpring Home Health, we offer a multitude of home care services, such as skilled, unskilled, pediatric, and veteran services. Read on to learn about what each service entails and how it will best help you. 

Skilled Home Care Services 

Skilled home care is just another term we use for medical care. At WellSpring Home Health, we have highly skilled nurses who are available to care for you on a full time, part time, or day-to-day basis. However many days a week you may need assistance or care, we’ve got you covered. Our nurses are registered and certified, and work very closely with you, your physician, your family, and your caregivers to decipher what specific care services you will need moving forward. This may include: 

• Medication management 
• Pain management 
• Chronic conditions 
• Injury care/wound care
• Post-surgical care
• Physical therapy 
• Occupational therapy 
• Speech therapy 
• And more

WellSpring Home Health also offers home health aides with our trustworthy Certified Nursing Assistant. Unlike our skilled nurses who primarily focus on medical services, our CNAs assist with daily activities like personal care and hygiene, mobility, feeding assistance, and much more. 

Unskilled Home Care Services 

Unskilled home care services refer to non-medical care, which can include help with daily activities like bathing, eating, and help getting dressed. The service also entails running day-to-day errands, such as shopping tasks, light housekeeping, and laundry. 

Pediatric Care Services 

For children with complex medical conditions or issues, no need to stress! WellSpring Home Health provides immaculate holistic care approach and treatment for children with developmental disabilities. Our pediatric caregivers will make sure your child is in great hands and is taken care of. We come up with an accessible and comprehensive written plan of action that is approved by your medical team, family, and caregivers. 

Veteran Care Services

In honor of our veterans bravely defended and protected our country, we offer veteran care services to show our gratitude and respect. At WellSpring Home Health, we believe in honoring them for the work they have done for us and the freedom they have given us. We provide skilled services and unskilled services for our veterans. Many people fail to recognize and honor the brave veterans that helped our country survive, and we believe in taking excellent care of the people who have gone to war for us. 

Look to WellSpring Health for Elder Care in Alaska 

If you are an elder or know someone who is an elder who would benefit from the home care services we provide, please get in touch with us. It is our job to make sure everyone is getting taken care of properly and respectfully. 

Ready to live a happy and stress-free life? Get started now! 

The post Elder Care in Alaska: What’s Unique About Home Care Up North? appeared first on Wellspring Home Health Center.

You have the right to live safely and comfortably in your home and enjoy a wonderful quality of life. That’s why it’s so important to choose an agency that will treat you like their own family, who will tailor the care you receive to suit your individual circumstances, and who will be able to have a laugh or two with you along the way. Choosing the right home care agency is a big decision, so here are some questions you should ask to make sure you get the support you need.

Want to skip ahead and schedule an assessment? Click here.

1.      What Home Care Services Do You Provide?

Every home care agency is different and they all offer different types of services. It’s important to carefully read through the list of services they provide to ensure they will meet your needs.

Here at WellSpring Home Health, we offer a mixture of skilled and unskilled services. You can find out exactly that’s included here, but the simplest explanation is this:

• Skilled: This means working with a multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals, including registered nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and certified nurse assistants. They work with your primary care physician to deliver seamless care that ensure you will receive care tailored to your medical requirements.
• Unskilled: This means non-medical care. These are the personal care services that will make your life safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable. It includes things such as meal preparation and feeding assistance, housekeeping and running errands, mobility assistance and transportation, bowel and bladder care, bathing and showing care, and more.

Some home care agencies will also specialize in a particular type of care, for example, elder care or disability care. Our services, for example, include pediatric and veteran home care services.

Pediatric Home Care Services

Pediatric home care services provide holistic treatment for children with complex medical issues or developmental disabilities. Typically, children who fall into this category experience frequent and/or prolonged hospitalizations and they may be required to enter long-term care. Our goal is to optimize your child’s care and minimize interventions. We’re here to help your family thrive.

(Please note this service is currently only available in Tacoma, Washington.)

Veteran Home Care Services

We are honored to provide home care services to the veterans that bravely protect our freedom and our way of life. As a veteran home care agency, we provide veterans and surviving spouses the care they need to live with honor and dignity while staying in their homes as long as they wish. These services are provided to veterans living a long way from their nearest VA facility and can include both skills and unskilled services. Please call our office to discuss your circumstances.

2.      Is Your Home Care Agency Based in My Area?

There are two main reasons why it’s very important to choose a local home care agency.

First, they’ll be based in your area which means they’ll be able to quickly respond when you require assistance. Second, they’ll have a much better understanding of who you are and where you come from, which will increase your chance of finding a provider you can get along with. As we said right at the start, choosing a home care agency is a big decision. It’s important to find a provider that “gets you,” because this will ensure you received the standard of care you deserve. It also makes the whole process a whole lot more fun for everyone involved.

We don’t need to tell you that Alaskans are a pretty unique bunch. If you’re looking for home care services in Anchorage, you should consider WellSpring Home Health in either Anchorage or Wasilla. We employ local people who go through an extensive screening process to ensure they share our commitment to the highest standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity. This includes compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding patient care. We also have a third center based at Tacoma, Washington, that serves people living all over Pierce County.

3.      Do You Accept My Insurance for Home Care?

Insurance is really important when it comes to home care services. Different insurers will have different requirements around things like preferred providers, referrals, and qualifying criteria. It’s important to read your policy carefully to make sure you choose a compatible home care agency.

Each insurance company will also set out different rules around things like co-pays and deductibles. If you have any questions about this, or you need to clarify anything, it’s worth calling your provider before you contact us to schedule an assessment. That will ensure we’re all on the same page.

4.      What Values Guide Your Home Care Agency?

This might sound like a strange question, but bear with us a moment. Once you’ve found a home care agency that provides the services you need, is based in your local area, and accepts your insurance, you might think your search is complete. However, culture is equally important.

Think about it this way: you’re letting someone into your home so they can take care of you and improve your quality of life. Trust is critical. On top of this, since you’ll be spending a lot of time with your providers, shouldn’t you pick a home care agency you actually like?

That’s where values come into play. WellSpring Home Health provides an unsurpassed level of service while maintaining the highest standards. We have two core values:

• Compassion: We care for our clients like we would our own loved ones. We’re passionate about providing elderly and disabled members of our community the personalized care you need with the courtesy and respect you deserve.
• Knowledge: Our employees are our greatest resource. We only hire professionals who have a proven track record for providing high-quality, dependable care to help people live safely, comfortably, and independently at home.

5.      Do You Have Any Home Care Reviews I can See?

Reviews are a great way to get a feel for a home care agency before you make an inquiry. These should be transparent and readily available both on their website and via Google reviews. It will give you a quick overview of what kinds of issues the agency helps people with, what the staff members are like, what its standing is within the community, and any red flags you should consider.

This is an essential part of the modern business landscape. If you’re struggling to find reviews, or the reviews are bad, you should broaden your search and consider another home care agency in your local area. This is important, so make sure you take the time you need to get it right.

Finally, How Do I Sign Up for Home Care Services?

If you’re looking for skilled home care services, the first steps are to get a referral from your primary care physician and then contact our team to schedule an assessment. Once that’s done, we can work with your doctor to develop a home care plan that will suit your clinical requirements.

If you’re looking for unskilled home care services, however, you can either get a referral or go ahead and call our office directly to discuss your needs. We would be honored to work with you.

Sound like a plan? Contact our professional team to get started.

The post 5 Questions to Ask Your Home Care Agency appeared first on Wellspring Home Health Center.