elderly parent
Case Study: How a patient advocate helped caregivers convince their mom she needed support
If you have an aging parent, you may have a hard time motivating them to do the things that will keep them well. You wonder, “How can I convince mom she needs support?” Their doctor tells them to do physical therapy. They go once and quit. You notice they have no food in the fridge…
Read MoreQuestions to Ask a Long Term Care Facility
What Questions Should You Ask a Long-Term Care Facility? Choosing an assisted living community, nursing home, or memory care facility is one of the most important decisions a family will make. The brochures all look beautiful. The tours all highlight the best features. But how do you really know if a place will provide good…
Read MorePatient Advocate Profile: Meet Yvette Lyles
Yvette Lyles is a patient advocate and senior care consultant with Umbra Health Advocacy. She brings a blended background in healthcare advocacy and a deep dedication to supporting older adults, their caregivers, and families. Yvette Lyles’s story “My work is rooted in personal experience. I became an advocate long before I made it my profession.…
Read MoreSenior Loneliness Is a Health Crisis
This Mental Health Awareness Month, Let’s Treat It Like One. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a good time to talk about something many older adults are quietly struggling with: senior loneliness. Loneliness might sound like just a feeling. It’s actually a serious health risk for seniors. It can hurt the brain, the heart,…
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 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 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 MoreThe $100,000 Question: How Will You Pay for Long Term Care Costs?
Many families face a challenging reality when a loved one needs long term care. Most people haven’t saved for this expense, and they’re shocked to discover just how much assisted living or nursing homes cost. Even more surprising? Medicare doesn’t cover long term care. To help our clients better understand their options, we consulted with…
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