As Aging Life Care SpecialistsTM, we are able to help the older adult and the caregivers. We collaborate with other aging professionals such as financial planners, elder law attorneys, medical professionals, senior living communities, discharge planners, and other aging providers such as home care agencies, meals, transportation, benefits, insurance, etc. These providers rely on our expertise to provide them with a comprehensive assessment of the older adults needs.
Listed below is a sample of individuals who have reached out to us for our help: Seniors who are facing challenges with growing older
- Adult children who are overwhelmed with the cost of services and lack of available resources for issues their loved one faces while attempting to maintain their own families and careers. Many adult children are not local and struggle to assist their loved one with their daily needs.
- Family caregivers seeking a streamlined plan of care for their loved ones and someone who has the skills and expertise to oversee the plan and ensure its effectiveness
- Those struggling with the issues surrounding dementia and memory loss. The caregiver may also be facing their own medical concerns but have been unable to address them due to their oversight and supervision of their loved ones needs. The caregiver might even put off important surgeries due to the inability to navigate this complex system
- Individuals with complex medical issues requiring oversight and the ability to coordinate and monitor care solutions. Our team of experts can advocate on behalf of the older adults needs and interpret the information from the medical provider
- Those who are struggling with implementing home care services vs moving to a senior living community such as an adult home/assisted living/nursing home.
- Older adults wishing to relocate closer to their children but feel it is nearly impossible to do as it can be dauting on where to start
- Individuals who are unclear if their assets will support them as they age. The uncertainty of the benefits and entitlements he/she may be eligible for such as Medicaid or Veteran Benefits.
- Older adults who have attempted to utilize their Long Term Insurance Policy but were denied
When is it the right time to get help?
For many families, it is unclear to when they should look for help. Pre-planning is essential as we age. The "what if" moments are often ignored until the crisis occurs which leaves the caregiver to make important life altering decisions while being emotionally paralyzed. Don't wait and say I wish I knew about you ……
Here are some scenarios when it is time to make that first phone call.
- An older adult has limited or no family support. This individual may also have limited access to his/her family due to distance
- An individual who has multiple medical or psychological issues and is unable to manage them on a routine basis. Frequent trips to the emergency room or medical provider occur
- An older adult who needs to be transitioned from one care environment such as home to another such as an Assisted Living or Nursing Home
- A family caregiver is burned out and/or confused about differing care solutions. The feelings of being overwhelmed are producing the feelings of avoidance, anger, and resentment
- A family has limited time and/or expertise in dealing with their loved one's chronic care needs. Caregivers have been faced with the loss of a job due to the amount of time he/she has taken off of work to care for their loved one
- A family is at odds on how best to care for a loved one.
- An older adult is unhappy with their current medical care and is unable to advocate for him/herself
- Dementia is making it difficult for family members to get the help a loved one needs and increases caregiver burnout
- An older adult and their family members need guidance in planning ahead for declining medical needs.
Common red flags to look for in your loved one:
- Multiple ER visits and/or hospitalizations in a short period of time
- Increased visits to medical providers or increased health issues but refused to see medical provider
- Increased confusion/forgetfulness and behaviors
- Forgetting items cooking on the stove or leaving burners on, does not recognize smoke alarms going off
- Frequent falls or unexplained bruises, balance issues but refuse to utilize cane/walker/wheelchair
- Unexplained weight loss, possibly not eating regularly or properly
- Disheveled appearance, home unkept
- Numerous phone calls to caregiver per hour
- Forgetting to take medication or mistakes in taking medication, possibly taking too much medication
- Difficult-to-manage behaviors
- Wandering away from home looking for his/her "home"
- Social isolation/loss of interest in social activities
- Neglecting to pay bills or cash checks
- Has been the victim of financial scams
- Unsafe driving - getting driving violation tickets frequently and/or involved in driving accidents, unable to remember how to return home