Posts by Jennifer Kean
How to Support Someone Going Through Breast Cancer: Tips from Survivors
When someone you love gets diagnosed with breast cancer, you want to help. But you might not know what to say or do. The good news is that you do not need to have all the answers. Simply being there and showing you care can make a huge difference. We talked to breast cancer survivors…
Read MoreReal Help for Caregivers: Guide to state and federal programs
If you are a caregiver for your mom, dad, spouse or elderly loved one you are probably exhausted. You love your mom (or dad, or spouse). You want to take care of them. But it is a lot of work and you are drained and approaching burn out. Maybe you have kids or a job…
Read MorePatient Advocate Profile: Victoria de la Cruz, BSHA
Victoria de la Cruz is a patient advocate with more than 25 years of healthcare experience spanning clinical care, healthcare administration, and senior care coordination. As an Umbra advocate, she helps individuals and families of all ages navigate care transitions, coordinate services across providers, and make complex healthcare decisions with clarity and support. Victoria began…
Read MoreHow Do I Get Paid to Take Care of Mom?
Are you caring for an aging parent while also working full time, raising kids and running your own household? Perhaps you have wondered “how can I get paid to take care of mom, dad, or an elderly loved one?” You are not alone. More than 53 million Americans provide unpaid care for a family member.…
Read MoreMedicare Costs Decoded: What You’ll Really Pay in 2027
You’ve seen the ads. A smiling person on TV holding up a big sign: “$0 premium!” Is that what Medicare costs? It sounds amazing. Free healthcare! But then you talk to your neighbor. She has Medicare. She tells you she paid $8,000 last year for medical costs. Wait, what? How can Medicare cost $8,000 if…
Read MoreMeet Barbara Gaynor, RN, LNC, BCPA
Barbara Gaynor, RN, LNC, BCPA, is a registered nurse and patient advocate with Umbra Health Advocacy. She has more than 25 years of nursing experience across hospitals, long-term care, home health, hospice, and case management. Barbara supports patients and families as they navigate the healthcare system and make confident, informed decisions. She is also a…
Read MoreState Guide to Medicaid Caregiver Payment Programs
Looking for Medicaid caregiver programs that pay family members to care for elderly loved ones? Every state has Medicaid programs that can pay you to provide care. Use the table below to find out what is available in your state. How to Use This Guide Payment Amount: Shows the hourly rate for consumer directed care…
Read MoreMedicaid Eligibility Guide by State for Long Term Care
If you or a loved one needs nursing home care or help at home, Medicaid may be able to cover the costs. Medicaid eligibility is not simple. Every state has different rules about how much money you can earn and how much you can own. The table below shows the 2026 eligibility requirements for all…
Read MoreHaving Important Conversations: Talking to Parents about Senior Care this Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Umbra Health Advocacy! As we gather with loved ones to share gratitude and good food, we also have a unique opportunity. When family comes together, it’s the perfect time to start important conversations about planning for your parents’ senior care as they age. These talks might feel uncomfortable…
Read MoreHow Lifestyle Benefits Help HR Manage Rising Health Care Costs in 2026
Budgets are tight as we head into 2026, especially when it comes to healthcare. Salary increases are projected to stay flat while employers brace for potential jumps in health insurance premiums and growing demand for caregiving and mental health support. HR and benefits teams are under pressure to meet rising needs without expanding their health…
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