Cynthia, an 88-year-old woman with advancing dementia, lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her two cats, Snowball and Romeo.
Pre-COVID 19:
Prior to Governor Cuomo’s order to Shelter in Place, Cynthia had two licensed, independent Home Aides, Sarina and Sara. They alternated daily 8-hour shifts helping Cynthia shower, dress, shop, make meals, keep the apartment clean and keep the cats happy. Since Cynthia is active and an art lover, Sarina or Sara would go with Cynthia to a museum or for walks in Central Park.
Cynthia planned ahead knowing she wanted to live in her own home for as long as possible. She purchased a Long-Term Care Insurance policy with a 5-year, $380/day benefit that more than covers the Home Aides’ daily wage of $200.
Homecare Pivot for Cynthia During COVID 19:
Because of COVID 19, Cynthia’s daughter, Madeleine, reduced her weekly visits to protect her Mom and her own family. Madeleine was juggling her Mom’s care, her job, and home-schooling and feeling like she wasn’t doing any of it well. Meanwhile, Cynthia, like many seniors with dementia, was growing more confused from the isolation of not seeing family and sheltering in place. The family realized she now needed more assistance than the day shifts provided.
Care Concierge NY’s solution for providing additional care, while reducing the risk of contagion, was to have Sarina and Sara, the two caregivers, each sleep-in for 3.5 days a week and avoid public transportation (potential for contagion) to commute to and from Cynthia’s apartment.
But how were Cynthia and her family going to manage the extra cost? Madeleine, a pharmaceutical sales rep with a husband and two teenage sons, has seen her income drop during the pandemic, so she isn’t able to cover any increased costs.
For Cynthia and her family, owning a long-term care policy has been a godsend. Cynthia’s $380/day benefit has covered Sarina and Sara’s increased salaries allowing them to sleep-in and keep themselves, Cynthia, Snowball, and Romeo safe while reducing foot traffic in and out of Cynthia’s apartment to reduce the risk of contagion. And that’s a happy ending to a tough situation.
For assistance with Home Aides or Long-Term Care Insurance please contact me at 917-715-2233 or click here.