Get answers to your long term care options questions

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The formal definition of long term care options counseling is “an interactive decision-support process whereby consumers, family members and/or significant others are supported in their deliberations to determine appropriate long term support choices in the context of the consumer’s needs, preferences, values and individual circumstances.”

What does that really mean? It means that if you have questions about your own or your family members’ long term care options, you can call the Senior LinkAge Line specialists.

There are seven contact centers located throughout Minnesota. In Douglas County you can call the Douglas County Public Health Senior Office at (320) 762-3047 for this service, as they are contracted with the local Area Agency on Aging to provide these services locally.

The LinkAge Line Specialists provide objective, comprehensive and neutral information. They provide individualized assistance by phone, in person or online. There is no fee for this service. We do not sell, endorse or promote any product or service.

The Senior LinkAge Line expertise includes the benefits provided by private options and how they intersect with public options such as Medicare or Medicaid, public systems and assistance with applications, other insurance benefits like long term care insurance and other financing options, housing options and the appropriate time to consider a move, caregiver supports and understanding home and community service options.

For those people who want to check out information on the Internet before they meet with an options counselor, you can go online to www.minnesotahelp.info, which is the web-based means of finding provider information about health and human services endorsed by the state of Minnesota.

When should you call the Senior LinkAge Line or the Douglas County Public Health Senior Office? If you need help to access publicly funded benefits, consumers/families looking at financing options such as long term care insurance, reverse mortgages, annuities, LTC Partnership and what happens if you are denied public programs.

You should also call regarding housing options in the area, Medicare questions, supplement options, volunteer opportunities, if you are a stressed caregiver and need help with options for your loved one and if you have been admitted to a long term care facility and want to know your options for returning home.

There is also help available with care transitions. Examples of care transitions are when a consumer is deciding if they want to remain in their home or move to a new location, when consumers want to return to the setting of their choice after a nursing home stay, when consumers are at risk of being placed in a nursing home and spending down to Medical Assistance while living in the community or when consumers have been recently discharged from a hospital stay or ER visit.

For help with long term care options Counseling or any other issues regarding Seniors, contact Mary at (320) 762-3047.

Tags: life, senior