‘CCRCs, SNFs, ALF, oh my.’ I hear variations of this phrase very often when an overwhelmed caregivers seeks guidance. It is usually followed by, “well, how much does it cost”? When it comes to eldercare; there are a plethora of options. Depending on your specific circumstances and desires, it can become very expensive.
With all of the silos of care and lack of cohesion between these resource, many caregivers do not know where to start. Mom wants to stay in her own home, but it might be difficult to do so. Friends suggest assisted living facilities and some family members demand Continuing Care Retirement Community. Other family members demand that she stay at home as well, but unable or unwilling to make the sacrifices need to provide consistent help for the primary care giver. Then there is the constant bombardment of commercials from senior care agencies touting to be the best. However, sadly in all of the commotion, the loved one voice slowly fades from the decision making process and the caregiver’s empowerment dwindles. This reality is all too common.
Caregivers make a number of tough decisions when caring for a loved one. The decline in health is usually the impetus for these difficult decisions. There must be a thorough understanding of the specific condition and its progression. At each stage, caregivers must ensure the most appropriate level of care that is effective. They must have an understanding of the resources they can pull from during these difficult times.
They must determine the feasibility of downsizing and relocating their loved one to family. The might decide to return to multi-generational living. If they deciding on Aging-In-Place, there is a need to keep the home maintained and continually evaluate the home for hazards, accessibility to anticipate and accommodate changes for long-term care needs of the loved one at the right time.There is even more due diligence when it comes to outside assistance. With non-medical home care, new players are entering the market frequently. Senior care facilities are desperately trying to rebrand themselves. Understanding industry policies and regulations are vital in the selection process. It is important to know if facilities and agencies are living up to industry standards and to the hype laid out in their marketing materials. While we want to trust the people we bring into our homes, oversight and monitoring must still be implemented to ensure accountability of the service provider.
There is a need for having the appropriate paperwork in order such as wills and advanced directives. These help family stay focused on their individual responsibilities and the care of their loved one. Proper financial and legal planning will save the caregiver from a lot of headaches going forward.
In eldercare, there are many pieces to understand and coordinate. Luckily there is a growing group of professionals that work with individuals throughout the continuum of care. They are called Geriatric Care Coordinators or Geriatric Care Managers. These individuals are experienced in the eldercare and come from a variety of disciplines: direct personal care, nursing management, social work, disability case workers, etc. However, the common expertise they must have is: the ability to recognize and counsel families on the stages of the aging process, the need for transitions, understanding the appropriate and cost effective level of care, and the coordination of resources. They are the caregiver’s best-kept secret weapon. They possess unbiased and evidence-based situational analysis. They provide peace of mind caregivers and seniors need throughout the continuum of care. They can help you find the most targeted resources based on your unique needs.
It is easy to try to go at it alone, but these professional can help guide you throughout the continuum of care and even help you prepare for it before the need arises. Senior Lifestyle Concierge provides this core service for citizen of the Roanoke Valley. If you would like to speak with a professional, then do not hesitate to give us a call so we can discuss your options!
