Caregivers and Social Security Disability Benefits
Acting as caregiver for someone with a debilitating condition or illness often comes with certain level of stress. Not only does caretaking require time and energy, but it also requires financial stability. When money is tight, caring for a sick or elderly individual can seem impossible. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration offers disability benefits to individuals who cannot work due to disability or illness. As a caregiver, these funds can be used to take care of medical bills, costs associated with living arrangements, or even things like food. Social Security Disability benefits may be the lifeline you need to provide a comfortable life for your loved one. Preparing for the Application For someone unfamiliar with the Social Security Disability application process, the task can seem daunting. To ensure the best possible outcome, it is important to be thoroughly prepared prior to filing your loved ones disability claim. The following information will give you a general overview of the application process and will help you get started. Step 1: Determine which program fits the needs of your loved one. The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs two separate benefit programs that each have their own eligibility requirements. It is important to learn about these programs so that you know which one best suits your loved ones needs. The first program—Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)—is funded by Social Security taxes that workers pay into the system. Therefore, eligibility is based on an applicant’s work history. To qualify for SSDI the individual that you care for must have earned a certain amount of what the SSA refers to as, "work credits". The second benefit program is called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Eligibility for SSI is based on an applicant’s finances—not on his or her work credits. This is a needs-based program, meaning that those with limited income and financial resources can qualify for SSI. SSI is often a good option for young people and other individuals who haven’t earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI. Step 2: Collect necessary records and documentation. The SSA requires that a large amount of documentation be submitted along with an applicant’s initial application. It is important that you collect this documentation prior to submitting your loved one’s claim. Giving yourself enough time to collect this information will prevent you from making a mistake and will save you from unnecessary stress. You will first need to collect medical records. These records are vital to receiving disability benefits because they serve as proof of your loved one’s illness or condition. It is recommended that you work closely with your loved one’s doctor or doctors to collect this information. These records may include documentation of the applicant’s diagnosis, treatments, response to treatments, hospitalizations, and medical tests. You should also ask the treating physician to supply an official statement detailing how your loved one’s condition prevents him or her from working. You may also need to collect records pertaining to your loved one’s work history and finances. If he or she is applying for SSI, you will need to gather proof of income and assets. If you find that you are having a hard time collecting any of this information, it may be in your best interest to retain the services of an attorney or advocate. A legal profession will be able to relieve you of this duty and will make sure that your loved one’s application includes the necessary paperwork. Step 3: Initiate the application process. Once you and your loved one are ready to begin the application process, you can do so online at the SSA’s website or in person at your local Social Security office. To complete the initial application, you will be asked to complete and submit a number of forms. These forms include the Adult Disability Checklist, the Adult Disability Report and an authorization to release medical information. The applicant will have to sign the forms giving permission to the SSA to obtain medical records from the applicant’s treating physicians. Make sure you submit all of the applicant’s medical documentation and any written statements from treating physicians along with the application for benefits. After you have submitted the application, you should receive a response within three to six months depending on where you live and the volume of claims being handled by your local Social Security office. Receiving a Decision Once you receive the SSA’s determination letter, you will be notified of the applicant’s approval or denial. If the applicant was denied benefits, it is important that you don’t give up. After an applicant is denied, they have the option to appeal the decision. Please note that nearly 70 percent of disability claims are denied during the initial stage of the application process. In the appeal phase nearly two-thirds of applicants are awarded benefits. Although it can be difficult to apply for disability benefits on another person’s behalf, keep in mind that these programs are here to help you. Helping your loved one apply for disability benefits can help you provide them with a more comfortable life. To learn more about disability benefits visit Social Security Disability Help.
How To Keep An Elderly Person In Bed At Night
Keeping an elderly person in their bed at night is a very important part of senior safety. Night time falls are common, and can lead to serious injury, hospital time, as well as many other problems. Proper night time care, and a few precautions can help keep an elderly person in their bed at night, and create a safer environment when they do get out of bed. Here’s what you should know: Eliminate the need to get up: The absolute best way to keep an elderly person in their bed at night is to eliminate the need to get up. Many elderly get out of bed to use the bathroom, get drinks, or simply because they can’t sleep, are uncomfortable, or are bored. Find ways to circumvent these things, and prevent the need to get up all together. Bathroom needs: The need to use the bathroom during the night is one of the top reasons elderly persons leave their bed at night. Help your elderly loved one stay in bed by providing bathroom assist products. Overnight adult diapers, bed pans, under pads, urinals, and other products can decrease the need to get out of bed, and thus reduce the risk of slips, falls, and other nighttime hazards. Drinks, food, medication: Eliminate the need to leave the bed for kitchen items, including drinks, food, and medication by using a bedside organizer, or bed stand. Include a water bottle, any needed medications, pain killers, etc., as well as a few snack items. It is also wise to put books, a reading light, and other entertainment options nearby as well. Having these items in arm’s reach helps keep seniors in bed, rather than walking around in the dark. Discomfort and boredom: Often seniors struggle to sleep, wake very early in the morning, or stay up late into the night. Being able to adjust themselves, sit up and read in bed, etc. can very useful, and protect them. Often when seniors first wake, it is easy for them to lose balance and fall. Providing tools like a BedCaddie, which is designed to help seniors adjust themselves in bed by pulling themselves up the ladder like tiers to a sitting position, can help make time spend in bed more comfortable, and eliminate the need to exit the bed. Safety rails: Safety rails can also help to keep an elderly person in bed at night, as they protect them from falling out of bed during the night, and can help them support themselves so that when they do leave the bed, be it day or night, they have something to hold on to as they climb in and out of bed. This extra support is great for helping maintain balance when groggy, or in the dark. It is also important to recognize that sometimes, despite precautions, there will be a need to get out of bed. Thus, in order to make it safer if they do get out of bed, consider the following: Clear clutter, and make sure there is a clear path to bathroom, kitchen, etc. Use light, night lights and motion sensor lights can help a lot. Make movement safe with non skid mats, lit walking paths, motion sensor lights, bed rails, and more. Make sure they have secure footing with slipper socks, or socks with traction built in. Be careful with furniture placement. The CareGiver Partnership offers 500 items for senior care and care giving, as well as a staff of knowledgeable product specialists that can help you find the best products for your unique needs. To contact a product specialist call 800-985-1353 M-F 9-4 Central.
Finally… An Incontinence Swim Diaper for Older Children, Teens and Adults
If necessity is the Mother of Invention, perhaps mothers are the best inventors. When Discovery Trekking Outfitters designed their adult swim diaper for those who are incontinent, they did so out of need. Diane, one of the partners, could not find an effective swim diaper for her teenage son, so he was not allowed in the pool. Although there were a few products available, they simply didn’t fit properly which resulted in poor containment. They were difficult to put on and rigid fabric did not allow for ease of movement. It wasn’t hard to see that the design was wrong. Finding the right fabric was a challenge. As the owner of Discovery Trekking, Diane's expertise was in specialty fabrics. She realized that she could not simply use cotton or nylon, which is what most existing swim diapers are made from. The garment had to be waterproof, but comfortable next to skin. She insisted on 4-way stretch to fit snugly and increase adjustability. The fabric she wanted did not exist, so she worked with several mills to develop what we needed. While more costly, it would have been pointless to manufacture something that wasn’t exactly right. Available in 9 sizes $50-$60 depending on size (shipping is included) Many of our clients lead active lives and are able to dress themselves, however some cannot. Therefore the swim diaper needed to open fully for ease in dressing. There are many body shapes, and the Velcro closures enable adjustments that take this into consideration. The garment can be closed on an angle to accommodate anyone, including persons with small waist and large hips, or persons with larger waist sizes and smaller thighs. This is extremely important for both comfort and effectiveness. Each swim diaper fits a waist or hip size range to allow for weight gain or loss, in sizes from x-small to 5XL.Diane did not set out to become manufacturer of continence products. In fact, Discovery Trekking has grown mainly due to the huge popularity of their specialty moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial towels, stay-dry bedding, and clothing. Most large continence manufacturers have overlooked the needs of adults that require products such as the adult swim diaper. Think of them as Little Swimmers for bigger people. Maybe the name should be named Big Dippers! We continue to provide such necessary products so others will not share the frustration Diane felt when her son was not allowed to swim. LiveAnew sells adult swim diaper products, including adult and youth swim diaper choices, adult size swim diaper reusable products, and adult swim diapers in several colors. Adult swim diapers allow people with fecal incontinence to get back into life. We have swim diapers in many youth and adult sizes and in several colors. Whether you have a special needs child or experience incontinence yourself, these swim diapers allow you to enjoy life a bit more. Adult swim diaper products allow you to confidently spend time at the beach or in the pool. Youth swim diapers help older children or very small adults. An adult size swim diaper allows you to use the pool because they provide containment for fecal incontinence (not urine). An adult swim diaper or youth swim diaper can be very comforting for those who could not otherwise swim in the pool Get Back Into Life! It seems like only yesterday that Kimberly-Clark introduced Little Swimmers brand swim pants. They were an instant sensation and many pools required them. They were fine for babies and little kids... but that was all. Until now. The new Swim Pants are designed to be worn next-to-skin under a swim suit. They are specifically made for bowel containment. Also works great as a cover up for disposable or cloth diapers The Nitty Gritty Comfortable fit: High tech stretch polyurethane fabric with soft fleece lining Fits comfortably and discreetly Wear under a bathing suit, next to skin Worn under swim suit: Designed for bowel containment with strong velcro closures Versatility: Also great as a diaper cover for cloth or disposable diapers Security in the pool: Elastic waist & legs for added security Polyester/Spandex blend bonded to a waterproof polyurethane shell. Latex free. 9 sizes for a perfect fit: XS to 5XL; fits waist/hip sizes 22" to 58" - unisex Women order by hip sizing; men by waist Machine wash warm; hang to dry Not returnable Need a pair custom made for a pre-teen or larger child who has outgrown disposable swim diapers like Little Swimmers. Call us at 1-800-411-3008
