Frequently Asked Questions about Care Management
Need an Elder Law or Estate Law attorney?
We will be happy to refer you to a local expert. Give us a call, 541-344-7712.
Need to conduct an estate sale?
Need to sell a house?
When it comes to selling a home that’s no longer needed, or conducting an estate sale, the Avanti ElderCare Resources staff can take the burden off your shoulders. We work with local real estate professionals to get a home listed. We schedule cleaning and repairs to get the home ready for sale. We can handle the necessary paperwork for you as well.
Need house cleaning or yard work services?
Please call a professional in the field you need. Recommendations from friends can get you started. Avanti ElderCare Resources does not provide these services nor make referrals.
Care provider services: private care provider or agency?
In both cases, the care partner may administer prescribed medication, cook light meals, do laundry, tidy up the house, and run errands or do shopping. Avanti ElderCare Resources can refer you to both.
– An agency will ensure that you never have coverage gaps, is licensed and bonded, and adheres to numerous regulations.
– With a private provider, you can choose the care partner with whom you feel most comfortable, and can negotiate terms. Contact us for help deciding which is right for you.
What kinds of senior housing is right for me?
Take a look at our “Housing Options for Seniors.” It describes some of the levels of care available in our area. For more details, get a copy of “The Lane Senior Guide,” published by The Gerontology Institute of Sacred Heart Medical Center. Call us for your free copy.
Is it time for a move?
Deciding when to move into a retirement home or care community can be one of the hardest decisions a person and their family may face. See our questionnaire, “Do I Need Help?” If your answers suggest that, by living at home, a person cannot stay healthy and safe, it may be time for a move. We offer a formal assessment of the medical, financial, and family situation to help you make the final decision.
What is a Certified Guardian?
To become certified, a fiduciary has to take special preparatory courses and study intensively about guardianship laws and expected standards of practice for professional fiduciaries. The Oregon certification requires detailed knowledge of Oregon statutes related to guardianship and conservatorship. Certification is voluntary, and also involves background clearance and experience requirements. Avanti ElderCare Resources is committed to applying National Guardianship Association (NGA) standards of practice in all phases of its fiduciary service. NGA provides ongoing training and guidance to practicing guardians.
Who needs a Guardian?
Guardianship is assigned by the court. If a person is unable to make decisions in his/her own best interest due to severe cognitive or memory impairment, the court may appoint a guardian. Guardianship may be temporary, limited, or unlimited. Most judges are very conservative about granting guardianships. If the elderly or disabled person contests the guardianship, it can be an expensive proposition. But guardianship is appropriate for a seriously impaired person. If you wish to seek guardianship over an impaired person, a consultation with a qualified attorney is the first step. Avanti ElderCare Resources can staff serve as professional guardian for many elderly and impaired clients who do not have family willing or able to take on this serious responsibility. Karen Fabiano, Giselle Fuller and Jackie Fosback are National Certified Guardians and Oregon Certified Guardians, and Giselle Fuller is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Who needs a Conservator?
Also known as a Guardian of the Estate, a conservator is appointed by the court to manage the financial affairs of a person who cannot do so on their own. There may be a conservator of financial affairs but not a guardian of the person – or there may be both. Conservatorship may be appropriate where a person cannot make financial decisions and has significant assets to protect. Our staff has more than 25 years combined experience in services as conservators.
Note that a conservator is not the same as an “executor.” The personal representative, also known as the executor of a will, administers the estate after a person dies. A conservator may perform this responsibility, if named to do so in a will or by the court. Avanti ElderCare Resources can serve as either.
Who needs a Representative Payee?
Someone who receives public benefits, such as Social Security or Veteran’s Benefits, but has no mailing address, or cannot manage a bank account alone, may designate a representative payee to receive the money and then distribute it to the person, sometimes in several small payments per month. Generally, Avanti fiduciaries CAN NOT serve as representative payee. The only exceptions are when there is a funding source other than the Social Security benefits to cover the administrative costs of our services; such as when a third party trust is paying for the service. Outside funding may include pensions, savings, investments, or money from a relative. We’re very sorry, but we can’t serve clients whose only source of income is their Social Security benefit.
Who needs a Trustee?
A trustee administers the money and property held in a trust on behalf of a beneficiary. A trust may be established even when there is no disability or incapacity in the beneficiary. The trustee must follow the directions in the trust as to how the money is to be used. Avanti ElderCare Resources staff can serve as trustee for many kinds of trusts.
What do I do if I think a senior or disabled person is being abused?
Abuse can be physical, psychological, or financial. Abuse might be intentional, but could be the result of insufficient training by a family care partner. Either way, it should be reported. Self-neglect by an elder should be reported, as well.
We can help restore an abusive situation to a healthy one. First, a report should be made to the authorities. For information and reporting, call 541.682.4038 or go to the ODHS website: http://egov.oregon.gov/DHS/spwpd/abuse/def_signs.shtml for more details.
How do I apply for Medicaid?
You can schedule an eligibility assessment from Senior and Disability Services by calling 541.682.4038. Avanti ElderCare Resources staff can help you prepare for the assessment. We can also help you create a spend-down plan to use your remaining assets most effectively for your situation.
Where can I find out about services available for seniors or disabled persons?
There are many businesses and public agencies that provide services to seniors and the disabled.
– Contact Senior and Disability Services, a department of Lane County, 800.441.4038 or 541.682.4038
– Get a copy of “The Lane Senior Guide” from The Gerontology Institute of Sacred Heart Medical Center. Go to http://laneseniorservices.org/.
Who offers hospice services in the Eugene area?
Cascade Health Solutions – Visit Here
Pacific Home Health & Hospice – Visit Here
Sacred Heart Home Health & Hospice – Visit Here
Signature Hospice – Visit Here
Bristol Hospice – Visit Here
What is a Family Consultation?
Our staff can meet with family or clients in person or by telephone. A consultation with several key family members gathered together can often help a family understand a situation better and make consensus decisions. We can speak with your parents as equals and provide counsel for family disagreements. In addition, we are available 24/7 for our clients, so you don’t have to be!