Care For Life » Care for Life

Ah! It’s official! Spring has arrived in the Lowcountry

Care for Life — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:38:05 +0000

From our latest newsletter

The long winter is  past and colorful LIFE bursts out all  over.  It’s time to think
about some  old favorites and to add  some new activities that will get us up and out..
But, there is  a less enticing part of spring’s arrival and that is:   we must file IRS
returns by April 16! Do you wonder what being a caregiver entitles you to?

Note: The following is not intended as tax advice. Always consult a tax professional.

It isn’t just time, but money that most caregivers donate to help maintain the
ones they love. When tax time rolls around, you may be able to claim your parent
as a dependent on your income taxes. This would allow you to get an exemption
In order to claim your elderly loved one as a dependent on your taxes, you must meet
certain criteria. Any dependent must meet these tests, according to tax experts at
www.bankrate.com: You (the caregiver) cannot be claimed as a dependent by another
taxpayer. The dependent must be a resident of the U.S., Canada or Mexico, and can
not file a joint tax return with a spouse.

Relationship: The person who you want to claim as a dependent must be a qualified relative include: mother,
father, grandparent, stepmother, stepfather, mother-in-law, father-in-law.

Elder’s income: Elderly persons’ gross annual income must be less than $3,650. Social Security normally is
excludable.

Counting medical expenses: Once your parent meets the IRS dependency tests, you can use any medical
expenses you pay for them toward this itemized deduction. Medical costs must exceed 7.5 percent of your
adjusted gross income before you can claim them. A parent’s added expenses could help you meet the requirements.

Shared caregiving: The relative who is providing more than 50% of the support is entitled to claim the dependent.
For more information on claiming an elderly relative as a dependent, see IRS Publication 501: Exemptions, Standard Deductions and Filing Information.

Please see www.irs.gov if you are filing independently. You may be entitled to deductions for your own care.
Anytime you are not sure about the deductions for which you are eligible, please consult a
qualified tax professional for advice.

AudiaHealth, LLC, a leader in helping healthcare providers engage patients for better health, has partnered with Care For Life

Care for Life — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:48:41 +0000

From our latest newsletter.

AudiaHealth, LLC, a leader in helping healthcare providers engage patients for better health, has partnered with Care For Life, a Geriatric Care Management and Homecare Agency in Charleston, SC, to trial the use of Talking HealthCards within their care process with seniors.

Talking HealthCards are a simple solution to helping patients recall What did the Doctor say? Research shows that 60% of patients cannot identify their medications and over 50% of the 2 billion prescriptions written each year are not taken correctly.

Talking HealthCards, when used by doctors with their patients, increase the likelihood for patients to know their latest treatment instructions. They allow healthcare providers to record personalized care instructions for patients, their family, and others involved in their care.
“Healthcare reform is driving the need for improved quality and reduced cost patient care. Enhancing patient engagement and clinician communication is a cost effective way to improve the care process.” said Dr. Linda Austin, AudiaHealth’s Chief Medical Officer.

Mary Peters, MS, CMC, RG, Certified Geriatric Care Manager, Care For Life’s founder and president, is delighted to be the eldercare agency chosen to use the TalkingHealth Cards in a trial. As a strong seniors advocate, Peters quickly recognized the value in recording care instructions. “Patients and their families get overwhelmed with information. Talking HealthCards help clarify key doctor visit information or medication changes from visit to visit. In addition, it may help patients feel more confident and independent since they can listen to their healthcare provider’s voice over and over again.”
“We’re excited to work with Care For Life because of their proven leadership in eldercare services. They are Charleston’s only agency with Certified Geriatric Care Managers and their own staff of caregivers,” said Betti Kerrigan, AudiaHealth’s CEO. “Mary and her team understand the challenges of chronically ill patients and appreciate the importance of engaging patients and their family in their care. We look forward to their evaluation of AudiaHealth’s Talking HealthCards in their care process.”

Confused about how to help your aging parents?

careforlife — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:45:29 +0000

Care for Life can help you with any questions you have about caring for your aging parents.

Care for Life presents program on Eldercare for Adult Children

careforlife — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:48:13 +0000

Newly certified in Geriatric Care Management, Kerri Moore, LMSW presents program on Eldercare for Adult Children.

When is homecare and/or geriatric care management recommended?

careforlife — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:20:35 +0000

Locally owned and operated by medical professionals, Care For Life proudly offer exceptional home care and geriatric care management recommended by medical providers and our clients. Whether your needs are for just a few daily hours, or around-the-clock every day of the week, Care For Life is the first and only call you need to make.

What are times and occurrences when you might benefit from the services of a caregiver?

When you have recently had surgery and require daily living assistance
When you are transitioning home from the hospital or rehabilitation facility
When you have decided to remain in your own home rather than go into assisted living
If you need assistance with bathing, dressing, meal preparation or transportation
If you are injured and need to rebuild your confidence in living alone
If you or your loved one needs any kind of dementia care
If you need companionship to help you feel safe and secure at home
If you are a caregiver for a loved one and need a little break, Care For Life will provide respite care
Anytime you need someone to do those things you used to be able to do, but now need an extra helping hand
If you have an illness or chronic condition such as congestive heart failure or COPD

Care For Life was founded on the belief that incomparable service begins with a trusting relationship among the client, family, caregiver and company. We promise that you will feel that sense of trust from the minute you first meet our care manager and caregiver. It’s a homecare relationship you can trust.

We believe that every person is unique and deserves the utmost respect and a customized care plan that meets his or her needs. We look forward to serving you and your loved one.

Ever wonder just what a non-medical in-home caregiver will do for your loved one?

Sheryl — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:48:59 +0000

First and foremost, an attentive, trained caregiver might help prevent falls or medication errors simply by reminding seniors to use their walkers in the home or when it is the correct time for medications to be taken. Here is a list of services provided by Care For Life’s caregivers:

Click here to view the embedded video.

When can a geriatric care manager be of benefit?

Sheryl — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:45:31 +0000

Get a detailed list of the ways a geriatric care manager can help you resolve eldercare issues. A geriatric care manager is a medical professional who specializes in helping families resolve the issues associated with caring for an elderly person. Get tips here:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Caregivers Achieving Work-Life Balance

Sheryl — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:43:52 +0000

There are ways to ease the burden of eldercare when you are a working adult child caring for a loved one. The first is to reach out to an expert in eldercare matters such as a geriatric care management and homecare agency. Planning and delegating tasks are two key ingredients to achieving work-life balance. Watch Achieving Work-Life balance to learn more:

Click here to view the embedded video.

What does it mean to work with a Geriatric Care Manager?

Sheryl — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:42:47 +0000

A geriatric care manager is a medically trained professional who specializes in the issues that impact the elderly. There are four main components of Geriatric Care Management: Assessment, a written care plan, referrals to resources, and ongoing monitoring of homecare and client’s needs. Watch a brief introduction to the four key components of geriatric care management:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Share The Care. Are you working and caring for an elderly loved one?

Sheryl — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:42:33 +0000

Care For Life is a eldercare management company which also provides trained and monitored caregivers for assisting seniors in their homes. Let us Share The Care with you. To learn more watch our Share The Care webcast:

Click here to view the embedded video.