Eleven Signs That Families Need Help

Are you, your family members or clients struggling to meet the needs of a loved one with a chronic illness or disability? If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, Vincent, Romeo & Rodriguez can help.

• Chronic ailment or progressive decline: Has your loved one been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, MS, or some other chronic ailment or experienced a decline in functional capacity for any reason?
• Worries about long-term care costs: Does the elder have a home or assets in excess of $50,000 - enough to finance a short stay in a care facility, but not enough for an extended stay?
• Stress of family members: Are family members confused or overwhelmed about care options and the care decisions they must make for a spouse, parent or disabled child?
• Catastrophic event: Has your loved one experienced a stroke, heart attack, aneurysm or major fall?
• Consideration of spouse's needs: Does the elder have a spouse whose financial or health care needs should be considered in light of the elder's medical condition?
• Hospitalization: Has your loved one been hospitalized and the family advised that returning home is not an option?
• Incapacity: Is your loved one incapacitated (housebound, bedridden, in an assisted living or nursing home facility)?
• Care coordination concerns: Does your loved one have a variety of healthcare providers who need coordination and advocacy for quality care?
• Senior veteran with health care issues: Is the elder a veteran or the spouse of a deceased veteran, over 65 and having health care issues?
• Caregiver burnout: Is a caregiver struggling with burnout, frustration, guilt or ill health?
• Special needs child: Unsure how to plan for your special needs child after your death?