Elder Care Issues

Plan ahead

Eleanora Mikesh, executive director of The Greens at Cannondale in Wilton, an assisted living facility, has lately seen more families who are better prepared to handle elder care financial issues. "You need to think about the issue before a crisis strikes," Mikesh said. "If you do some planning, you can shop around [for a health care facility] and be more selective. If you don't need care at the moment, you can get on a waiting list. This way you have a choice when the time comes."

There is some good news in meeting this potentially staggering financial challenge. Some community resources can help make elder care affordable. For example, Nursing and Home Care, a nonprofit organization that offers visiting nurse services in the Fairfield and Westport area, can help families tap into community resources that can offer some financial assistance, said Sharon Bradley, president and CEO of NHC.

The nonprofit nursing agency does fundraising to provide financial assistance to those in need of special care and who qualify for it. NHC also receives funding from United Way and community groups that will pay for respite care, which covers nurses or home aides for the chronically ill. These additional medical services allow a welcome break for family members who are providing care for their loved ones.

"Agencies like ours can be an asset and point families in the right direction," Bradley said. "Some agencies can help access grants and programs. They're knowledgeable about such resources."

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