How care management differs from home health care

» FAQ

Why do I need Aging Wisely?

Aging Wisely knows the Tampa Bay community and its resources. There are often services available through small companies or individuals that are unknown to the consumer. We also are aware of community reputations and keep up to date on the status of the services available.

Mistakes can be expensive financially as well as take a physical toll, if moves and changes occur. We help you avoid those errors and help you find solutions in a timely manner.

How does your service differ from home health care?

Care managers can assist individuals with all aspects of their lives, including medical, social, emotional, familial, and spiritual well-being. Care managers help clients to locate the best possible services for them by being an advocate for the client and thoroughly researching the best choices for each client. Care management does not replace the services of home health agencies, assisted living or skilled nursing facilities, or other care providers. A care manager can help to ensure that all of the involved parties are working together for the benefit of the individual.

Will my parents/loved ones accept your help?

Most of the time we find that the client is relieved to have us involved. We help everyone retain the relationships they have had, parent-child, husband-wife, and not just client-caregiver. Caregiving can be very taxing, as well as care receiving. It is not fun to always be seen as a patient because you have an illness or malady of some sort. It is nice to be treated as an individual, and someone provides you support and help with your issues.

Many of our clients have told us that it is very frustrating to have an active mind inside an older, sometimes physically challenged body.

We are very successful helping clients to accept assistance when they have been resistant previously.

Please see our article: When a Loved One is Resistant to Help

Are most of your solutions successful?

Aging Wisely’s care managers are particularly skilled at making recommendations that take into account the complexities of the situation and the individual. This, combined with their expertise in working with elderly clients, means they can succeed where other solutions have failed. We see aging as a journey and understand the need to be flexible as health and care needs change. This process requires some time to build a relationship and the care manager will work with you to strategize on the most effective solutions.

What exactly is an assessment?

An Assessment is a thorough (approximately 10 hours) evaluation of an individual’s/couple’s situation. It provides the “big picture” so to speak. The assessment provides the foundation for the roadmap of where the individual/couple want to be. The assessment includes, but is not limited, to:

Pre-conference telephone interview to establish concerns, issues, and basic demographic information. Communication is discussed, how much, what source (i.e. email, telephone, written), etc. The caller will have a clear understanding of what they can expect from Aging Wisely and their care manager.
A thorough medical, financial, and social history is completed. This information is received by consults with the individual/couple themselves, family members, physicians, support services, and other professionals as indicated.
A complete medical file is created. Diagnoses and medications are researched and confirmed. Medical histories are compiled.
A financial history is completed. Insurance (Health, Long Term Care, etc.) is reviewed. Legal documents including any advance directives are reviewed. Finances are reviewed if requested or in the event a client requires budgeting of services.
A social history is established. Review of client’s current social supports. A determination is made as to how to improve an individual’s quality of life. A thorough evaluation of the current living arrangement, including the need for adaptive devices, moves in to an assisted living facility or nursing home is completed.
An evaluation of an individual’s ability to complete activities of daily living (i.e. shower/bathe, dress, prepare meals, ambulate, etc.).
An evaluation of an individual’s cognitive ability. Are they suffering from memory loss to a point it will compromise their safety, etc?
A formal report is compiled from this data with specific recommendations to improve one’s quality of life. The report is provided to the family member/individual who requested the assessment and when appropriate, the client.
The family at this point decides to continue with Aging Wisely’s involvement to complete the recommendations (one or all) or the family chooses to complete the recommendations on their own. Individuals who request Aging Wisely continue serving their loved ones will receive monthly Journal Notes specifically describing each visit/activity on behalf of the client.

We do not require each client to go through the formal assessment process. If you have a specific issue you would like us to address, or want to bring us in on a consulting basis, we can begin the process that way. Our goal is to serve your needs in the way that works best for you.

How do you charge for ongoing services?

Our fee is billed per hour, portal to portal, billed in 6-minute increments. We make every effort to keep our fees as cost effective as possible. You receive journal notes that detail the time spent, items accomplished, and key information.

Aging Wisely’s care manager will work with you to determine a course of action. The care manager works with the client and family to establish a budgeted amount of time to be spent with the client on a weekly to monthly basis.

We make recommendations based on your needs and work with you to set a budget for our services. We offer services to meet your needs and to maximize your value by making sure you get the best care possible.

Aging Wisely can help you save money in a number of ways. First, we can save you and your family valuable time missed from work or other activities trying to coordinate and provide care. Second, our care managers are experts in the needs of older adults and the community resources and can thus efficiently match you with services and help you to navigate through an often complex system. Finally, our care managers help you to prepare for the future and thus avoid a crisis, which can be costly both monetarily and emotionally. Additionally, because of our experience in the local community, we can often help negotiate fees and advocate for you to get the maximum services.

Are these services covered by Medicare or insurance?

Currently, these services are not covered by medical insurance, but may be covered under a long-term care insurance policy or Employee Assistance Program. Aging Wisely can assist you in determining and maximizing the benefits of policies.