Long Term Care Insurance coverage is a topic that comes up a lot at Warman Home Care because it is a type of insurance that often pays for “non-medical care” that Warman provides clients. It may not be right for everyone, but it makes sense fo rmany who want to stay independent, living safely on their own for longer, but needing a little bit of support.

Long term care is generally not covered by health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, so exploring alternate options is a must for those that need the help. Although age is not a contributing factor to those who receive help, about 60% of people over the age of 65 will require some sort of long term care services at some point in their lives. Having insurance for this will help cover costs of home care, assited living, adult daycare, respite care, hospital care, and more.

Everyone should explore insurance options on their own to determine what makes sense for your own situation.If you want to learn more, this blog gives a great snapshot of how long term care insurance works.

With 2010 being a census year, residents are being asked to be cooperative. But don’t be TOO trusting; remain cautious. Some con artists have been taking advantage by posing as US Census workers, collecting personal information from residents. So how will you know if the person knocking at your door is a government employee or a criminal? Here is how you can be sure:

Know the Difference

Knowing how to recognize a Census worker is the first step. They will have a Government ID Badge, a handheld device, a canvas Census Bureau bag, and a confidentiality notice. You should ask to see their identification before you answer any questions.

Don’t Give Out Your Financial Information

Census workers should only be knocking on doors to verify address information. They may ask about basic financial information too, such as salary range, they should not ask for your Social Security Number. You don’t have to answer anything at all about your financial situation, and DO NOT give them your social security number, credit card number, banking information, etc.

Be Cautious of Email Scams

Census workers will be contacting you by telephone, mail, or in person, but they will not contact you by email. Be on the look out for email scams. Don’t open an email or click on any links that are supposedly from the Census Bureau.

For more information about these scams, please click here. You can also call your local police department.

Recently, we let you know about our awesome networking event that took place. We had a great time, and because the food was so good, we wanted to share some of the French Picnic recipes with you. If Parisian Seafood Salad, Provencal Picnic Sandwiches, Olive Tapenade, and Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates sound tasty to you, these recipes will be right up your alley.

Click here for a printer friendly version of the recipes you see below.

Parisienne Seafood Salad

½ lb. medium shrimp, shell off tail on

½ lb. other seafood (cooked scallops, crab, or leftover grilled fished, etc.)

1 cup diced radish

½ bunch green onions, chopped

¼  cup lime juice (fresh)

¼  cup lemon juice (fresh)

¼  cup extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, mashed

½ bunch cilantro, chopped

1 tbsp herbs de provence

1 tsp. sea salt

¼   tsp. cayenne (spice to taste)

Place seafood, green onion and radish in a mixing bowl and set aside.  Add the rest of the ingredients to a second bowl and mix well.  Pour over seafood and toss a few times to cover seafood.  Let marinate at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours before serving.  Serves 4.

Provencal Picnic Sandwiches

4 crusty French Rolls

4 tbsp boursin cheese

8 slices ripe tomato

Leafy greens

4 slices beef tenderloin (cooked medium)

Spread top of rolls with 1 tbsp boursin.  Place beef on bottom half of roll and top with tomato and pile with leafy greens.  Cover with top and enjoy!

Olive Tapenade

1 lb olives (nicoise, kalamata or spanish work well) *Spanish Olives used at demo

3 cloves of garlic, chopped

4 ozs. baby capers

1 tsp dry thyme

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

1 lemon, juiced

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until mixture reaches desired consistency (I like to leave it a little chunky but some folks like it as a paste).  Enjoy with crostini, as a sandwich spread or with crackers.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

24 medjool dates, pits removed

1/4 pound soft goat cheese

24 roasted almonds

Pit dates, leaving date intact   stuff with a little goat cheese and top with a roasted almond.  Bon appetit!

Cheese Selection Served on Cheese Display

Brie, Gouda, Havarti, Camembert, Swiss, Munster, Goat (chevre) and Roquefort.

Pastry Tray

Included madeleines and French truffles.

Yesterday, a select group of healthcare and related professionals met to netowkr and build relationships, helping each other advance our 2010 business goals. We also thought it would be a good way to kick off the New Year with some good company and great food (French picnic style!). The food and company proved excellent, and everyone had fun (and made some connections, too). We are all feeling optimistic about the upcoming year, and what a way to kick it off!

Check out some of the pictures we snapped at the event.

Warman Home Care was happy to donate gift baskets and attend the Gaithersburg, MD Upcounty Senior Center Holiday Luncheon.

As you can see, we had a great time exchanging gifts, playing games, eating way too much and – dancing! At Warman Home Care, we try and donate food from time to time to the senior center to help our. But it was extra special to join this event and get to spend some quality time with the staff and members. The live music was a treat, and we had a great turnout for the event.

The Gaithersburg Upcounty Senior Center serves Gaithersburg Maryland and residents of Upper Montgomery County by offering a variety of classes, trips, special events, activities, and a lunch program for senior citizens 55 years of age and older. Click through to find out more about this senior center.

With the holiday season coming up, we are sure that you all are looking for something special to give your loved ones. But with the limitations that this economic state has put on us, it may be difficult for some to give the way they have in past years. But sometimes we may forget that giving can be more than just buying a present for somebody.

So thinking of new ways to give is something to think about this season. Carol for a Cause is one way to do that. You can download the free Christmas song and “play it forward.” Basically, the idea is to pass the song along to others, which will in turn inspire holiday feelings of goodwill and charity. The song is meant to inspire you to do more this holiday season, whether you do something nice for others or donate to a cause you believe in.

So enjoy the song and the holiday season. Share it to inspire your friends and family, and do something more this holiday season.

Over the past three months, we have been hosting our “Warman Fuzzy” Grandparents Day Contest. We received some great entries: cute ones, funny ones, and even some sentimental ones. Well, the official results are finally in! Check them out below.

Photo Winner

This photo won our “Warman Fuzzy” photo portion of our Grandparents Day contest. It is a simple, yet meaningful “Warman Fuzzy” moment.

Video Winner

This is the winning “Warman Fuzzy” video. It really shows off a “Warman Fuzzy” moment had between a grandson and his grandfather.

Other Entries

To see all of the photo entries, click here. To see all of the video entries, click here.

A few weeks ago, we posted about a flu shot clinic, hosted by Warman Home Care and Iona Senior Services. If you came, thanks for coming out! We hope everyone is healthy and flu-free. Here are a few pictures we snapped at the event.

After over 50 entries, we are finally wrapping up our second “Warman Fuzzy” Contest. But we need your help choosing the finalists! Soon, we will be announcing ten photo finalists and three video finalists, but can’t decide on our own. We have asked our participants to spread the word and vote, and now we are asking you.

To see our photo entries, click here. To see our video entries, click here.

To vote, make the entry a “favorite” or leave a comment below it. “Favorites” will be counted first, followed by the number of comments, to determine the finalists. Voting ends next Wednesday, November 18, so vote while you can! Winners will be announced the week of November 23. Check back to see them!

With flu season officially here, how are you guarding yourself against disease? Sure, washing your hands and getting plenty of rest helps, but you can do more. Getting a flu shot can protect you from getting sick.

Tuesday, November 17, from 10 am to 2 pm, Warman Home Care and Iona Senior Services will be distributing flu shots. Massage chairs, provided by Washington Chiropractic, will be there to help you relax. To get your flu shot, head Iona Senior Services, 4125 Albermarle Street, NW, Washington DC, 20016.

Keep in mind that this flu shot will not help guard you from the H1N1 disease, but it will help guard you from the flu. Take all the precautions you can. Hope to see you there!