Welcome to the AgeQuest, LLC Web Site

Adult Day Care
Structured programs, usually provided during working hours, for individuals who require supervision, socialization or other types of support. Most centers include an activity program and a noon meal. In addition, some nursing care, personal care, rehabilitation or mental health services may be available. Most programs offer transportation. Certified programs may receive Medicaid reimbursement - most clients pay privately. Rates for programs in the greater Seacoast area average $30-50 per day. There is usually an extra charge for transportation.

Advanced Directives
This is the general term used to describe the instructions that an individual may provide to inform family members and health care providers of his/her health care wishes. This is an important way to ensure that your wishes are respected should you become mentally or physically unable to communicate them yourself. The Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care are the two documents that provide these directives.

Living Will– A living will is an important legal document. It specifies a person's wishes concerning their medical care and treatment in the future. Because some states have living will statutes and others do not, receiving qualified legal advice is critical. Our package of advance directives will include a living will document best suited for your jurisdiction.

Health Care Proxy– A health care proxy is essentially a power of attorney permitting you to make medical decisions on behalf of your parent or relative. Our team of elderlaw attorneys will provide this document to you as part of our package of advance directives.

- Go to Top -

Alzheimer's Care
More than 5 million people in this country have Alzheimer's disease today, and the number is increasing every year. The number of facilities and agencies providing specialized care is also increasing. In the greater Seacoast area, such services are found in adult day programs, residential care and nursing homes. There are no state regulations that govern these specialized programs, so it's important to check out each program carefully. The Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (ADRDA) has valuable resources available to family members and caregivers.

Assisted Living
Supportive living arrangements for individuals needing a little extra help with day-to-day home management activities. In New Hampshire, these are called Residential Care Facilities. There are two levels within this category – Residential Care and Supportive Residential Care. Basic services that are usually included are: room (size and style often determine price), at least one meal a day (charges for additional meals are specified in the contract), and 24-hour on-site emergency response staff. Activity programs within the facility and transportation to nearby medical appointments are often included. If needed, personal care and nursing care can often be arranged for an additional fee. Supportive Residential Care facilities have nursing staff on the premises 24 hours a day.

The services, staffing and capabilities of these facilities can vary widely, as can the fee (which ranges from $1800 to $6000 per month in our area). When requesting promotional information, request a copy of the admission agreement as well – this will spell out included services and “extras” clearly.

- Go to Top -

Care Manager (Case Manager)
An experienced health care professional who evaluates, plans, coordinates and monitors services on behalf of an older person and the family. Some private and long term care insurance plans will pay for these services. Most families pay privately.

Chore/Housekeeping Services
These supportive services may include housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping, transportation, yard and house maintenance and repairs. No personal (hands-on) care is provided. These services are not covered by Medicare. Limited services may be covered by Medicaid under the state's HCBC program.

Homemaker / Companion Services
A companion provides assistance with housekeeping, laundry, shopping, errands, meal preparation, escort to appointments, and companionship. Medication reminders may be provided. No personal (hands-on) care is provided. These services are not covered by Medicare. They may be covered by Medicaid under the HCBC program.

- Go to Top -

Conservator
A person appointed by the court to act as the legal representative of a person who is mentally or physically incapable of managing his or her own affairs.

Elder Services
Most cities and towns have State funded elder service programs. These programs are valuable low cost resources for seniors – for information, advocacy, and socialization with peers. In addition to Senior Centers, New Hampshire's Community Action Programs provide programs that help people remain safely in their own homes.

Emergency Response Systems
These systems are connected to the individual's phone system so that help can be summoned quickly and easily (usually through pushing a button on a device that's worn in the home) in the event of an accident or medical emergency. There is an installation fee, and a monthly fee of around $35. Some companies offer special equipment to compensate for disability.

- Go to Top -

Estate Planning - a process of organizing your estate - property and assets - to ensure that you maximize resources available to pay for necessary care and services, and that your assets are passed to the people you designate upon your death. Planning ahead to finance long term care needs is an important part of this process. Local attorneys and financial planners are valuable resources in this area.

Guardianship - similar to a Conservatorship yet severely restricts the legal rights of an elder based on a court's finding of legal incompetence.

Home Health Care
As the name implies, this is health care (primarily nursing care) provided in the home. Services can include skilled nursing care, physical, occupational or speech therapy, social work, and home health aides. Medicare will pay for care when a "skilled need" is identified (usually during an acute illness episode). These services can also be purchased privately when there is no longer a skilled need.

- Go to Top -

Home Health Aide
(HHA) A nursing assistant who provides "hands on" personal care: including bathing, dressing and grooming, assistance with moving about and using the toilet, assistance with eating, and provision of some housekeeping services (usually limited to caring for the client's room, personal clothing, and maintaining sanitary conditions in the bathroom and kitchen). They are not permitted to do general or heavy cleaning.

Hospice
Hospice is not a place, but rather a program of care and support offered to terminally ill patients and their families. These services are usually provided in the home, but they can also be found in hospice houses (residences), nursing homes, and in special units in some hospitals. Although the majority of hospice patients have cancer, those with other advanced illnesses (emphysema, congestive heart failure, Alzheimer's disease) can also benefit from the extra support that this program offers. Hospice providers specialize in pain management, symptom control, family support, and bereavement to surviving family members

- Go to Top -

Living Will
A document that specifies a person's wishes regarding specific medical treatments (such as artificial ventilation, intravenous feeding and tube feeding) at the end of life.

Long-Term Care Facilities
These facilities provide care to people who are unable to care for themselves. Names for these facilities include nursing home, extended care facility, nursing center . Some facilities have Medicare-certified units, and specialize in post-acute care and/or rehabilitation (patients requiring this level of care usually stay for a short period of time - several weeks - and then return home). Most facilities also offer long term placement. Long term, custodial care is not reimbursable by Medicare. Elders pay privately - the cost per year can range from $35,000 to $70,000. Long-term care insurance will pay for this care up to the amount designated in the individual's policy. If private funds are not available, the individual may apply for the state Medicaid program.

Long-Term Care Insurance
This insurance policy is paid for by the individual, and provides money to pay for care in nursing homes. Some of the newer policies also provide for care in assisted living facilities and at home. These policies increase in cost with age and medical conditions – often becoming prohibitively expensive after age 75. As products are constantly being upgraded, it's wise to discuss your needs and concerns with an experienced insurance professional.

- Go to Top -

Medical Alert
The “real” Medic Alert consists of an identification bracelet or pendent that provides key medical information (a diagnosis or allergy), an emergency “800” number for health care providers, and an individual identification number that will allow the emergency personnel at that “800” number to provide health care providers with your medical information. This can save valuable time and anxiety in a medical emergency.

Medical Equipment
Durable medical equipment (DME) is equipment that is needed over a long period of time to help an individual move about safely. Examples include hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen. Medicare will pay for the rental or purchase of some DME. Your local provider should coordinate reimbursement with Medicare, and inform you in advance of any out of pocket costs that you might be responsible for.

Medical Supplies
These are supplies that you use in the course of the day to provide care to a loved one. They include bandages and dressing supplies, insulin syringes, and incontinence products. Often, they are available through the same company that provides your DME. It's wise to price shop – similar products are often available at discount stores (such as WalMart or BJs) for much loser prices.

- Go to Top -

Medicaid / Medical Assistance
Originally designed as a health insurance program for poor moms and kids, the Medicaid program now pays for over half of all nursing home care. It is run by both the federal and state governments, so eligibility requirements can vary from state to state. that pays for health and long term care services for people who meet the eligibility criteria for low income.

Medical Bills – We use a sophisticated spreadsheet file to assist you with organizing your parent or relative's medical bills. Statements will be reviewed for accuracy and confirmation of payment. If secondary insurance is involved, we will make sure that all balances are appropriately billed to the secondary payor. We will notify you when certain out of pocket or deductible payments need to be made. We will also investigate state programs that reimburse seniors for their out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Medicare - a federal health insurance program for people over 65, and some people under 65 with long- term disability. Part A covers care provided in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It also pays for short-term home care and hospice care. Part B requires payment of an additional monthly premium (usually deducted from the Social Security check), and covers doctors' services, outpatient hospital care, and durable medical equipment.

Nursing Homes – Using our nursing home assessment tool, we will identify 2 to 3 providers who offer services that meet your needs.

You will receive a comprehensive report on each home and a list of questions to take with you when you visit. If you choose, we will conduct the initial visits and provide you with a ranked order recommendation based on objective data and our best professional judgement. We will also coordinate all of the arrangements necessary to have your parent or relative admitted to the facility of your choice. Follow-up services will also be provided.

- Go to Top -

Ombudsman - a trained volunteer who acts as an advocate for nursing home residents. These volunteers make regular visits, and help to investigate consumer complaints and concerns.

Pharmacies – It's not uncommon for seniors to take many different prescription and non-prescription drugs each day. For seniors at home, we will work with their pharmacist to establish home delivery services. If requested, our team physician will review medication lists to make sure that all of the drugs taken are safe and effective. We will also research programs in your area that offer reimbursement for out of pocket expenses, which may include pharmacy co-payments.

Physicians – How do caregivers know that their parent or relative is receiving appropriate care and treatment? It's an important question that most caregivers are not qualified to answer. Which is why ParentCareUSA offers an independent physician review program. Our board-certified gerontologist is available to provide a medical case review, make recommendations and/or speak directly to your parent or relative's primary physician. We will also assist you with selecting and arranging for another qualified physician, if you are unhappy with the current arrangement.

- Go to Top -

Power of Attorney - a legal document allowing one person to act in a legal matter on another's behalf.

Respite Care - care provided to an individual to give the caregiver a break from the demands of daily care. This care can be provided in the home, in a community setting (such as adult day care) or in a nursing facility. The amount of care varies from a few hours per week to several weeks.

Veterans Administration – health care benefits are available for qualifying veterans. There are different levels of “priority”, depending on time of service and disability category.

Banking and Bookkeeping Services – Our accounting team will help you manage your parent or relative's personal finances. We will establish a separate banking account to receive all income and pay monthly expenses.

- Go to Top -

Financial Planning - We offer creative strategies to maximize your parent or relative's return on investments. Working with our legal team, we will arrange and handle all of the paperwork necessary to create appropriate tax shelters. If needed, we will help you establish certain types of trusts that remove assets from your parent or relative's taxable estate.

Long Term Care Insurance – Buying long-term care insurance is a prudent option for some people. Selecting the right policy may be difficult. We will help you by reviewing policy options that meet your projected needs and budget. We will provide professional advice on issues like coverage limits, riders for inflation, guaranteed renewals and more.

Managed Care – The Medicare + Choice program was created by Congress to let private insurance companies offer coverage to people with Medicare. Often called Medicare Managed Care Plans, they use a managed care model for delivering comprehensive services. While many of these plans appear to offer substantial advantages compared to the traditional Medicare Plan, they are not for everyone. We will provide professional advice and consultation to help you or your parent make an informed decision.

- Go to Top -

Medicaid – The Medicaid program is the primary funding source for many eldercare services including nursing home care. Qualifying for benefits is a time-consuming and often frustrating experience. We will assist you by completing and submitting an application for Medicaid eligibility. We will also coordinate and manage the approval process from end to end. Our team attorneys will handle complicated applications.

Medicare – Medicare is a very complex program. New rules, regulations and benefits are added each year. We will help you by providing up to date information and by making sure that your parent or relative receives all of the benefits guaranteed by the program. We will coordinate all Medicare services and file appropriate grievances on your behalf if reimbursement issues are unresolved. Our team of elderlaw attorneys will initiate legal action, if necessary.

- Go to Top -

Personal/Lifestyle Services
Arranging personal or lifestyle services for your parent or relative requires time, coordination and planning. We will help you save time by working with you to coordinate and manage selected services. We will arrange vital services from community agencies like “Meals on Wheels”, provide information and consultation on home safety and adaptive living environments, coordinate services to maintain personal property and real estate or handle all the logistical requirements connected with the sale of your parent or relative's home. We can also assist with many other services that you may need. Adaptive Environments and Home Safety – Seniors with medical limitations or physical disabilities may benefit from our consulting services in this area. Our rehabilitation specialist will provide information on home safety issues and steps that you can take to create an appropriate adaptive living environment.

Adaptive Environments and Home Safety – Seniors with medical limitations or physical disabilities may benefit from our consulting services in this area. Our rehabilitation specialist will provide information on home safety issues and steps that you can take to create an appropriate adaptive living environment.

Home Maintenance/Repair – We will act as a single point of contact for contractors and vendors involved with home renovation projects or routine maintenance work.

Housekeeping – We will identify affordable housekeeping services that can be provided through a number of sources. Private companies, VNA's and elder service agencies offer housekeeping and/or chore services at varying rates. We will coordinate the application and delivery of these services.

- Go to Top -

Grocery Shopping – In the past few years, many new companies have introduced expanded services for people who are unable to do their own shopping. These services are available through local supermarkets, elder service agencies and private companies. We will identify the best vendor and arrange for these services.

Lawn Care/Snow Removal – We will identify companies in your area who provide these services and make all the arrangements necessary to ensure that services are delivered timely.

Meals – Many seniors living at home do not always receive the nutritional values they need. Some are unable to cook their own meals. We will identify and coordinate delivery of services like “Meals on Wheels” to ensure that your parent or relative's nutritional needs are being met.

- Go to Top -

Pet Care – Studies have shown that animals have a profound calming effect on seniors. Their bouts of depression are minimized and the companionship is always welcome. We will make necessary arrangements to ensure that your parent or relative's pet is properly groomed, receives needed medications, annual vaccinations and more.

Real Estate and Property – If you decide to sell the family home, we will handle all of the arrangements from end to end. For clients in Massachusetts, our team attorneys will prepare the legal documentation and will represent you at the closing. For property located in other states, our attorneys will review documentation and provide consultation.

Transportation – Many seniors living at home have difficulty with transportation issues. Doctor's appointments, shopping and other essential trips away from the home need to arranged. We will identify transportation options and coordinate required services.

- Go to Top -