Are you caring for parents long distance? Perhaps they live in Florida only in the winter. Or maybe they retired here, but you live in an entirely different state.
Has Mom suddenly gone downhill since Dad’s passing? They may have done fine on their own while he was still alive. But now, with him gone, you are starting to realize how much he was doing to fill in. Or maybe she ignored her health needs while caring for him, and now her own conditions are becoming more apparent.
Let us be your eyes and ears. Our team is made up of knowledgeable professionals with a wide range of expertise. Older adults often share more of what’s going on when they talk with us than when they talk with their children. (They don’t want you to worry!) They also value our professional expertise. They are much more likely to follow our recommendations.
Regular communication with you. Whether you want phone calls or email/text reports, periodic Zoom meetings, or telephone calls, we keep you up to date. If there’s a doctor’s appointment or significant event (a fall), we let you know right away. You tell us your communication preferences and we’re happy to comply.
We are on call 24 hours, seven days a week for our clients. If you have a caregiving emergency, we will be there for you by phone, Zoom, or in person as needed.
Give us a call for a free initial consultation to learn how we can support you: 407-545-4430
The Assessment and Care Plan
The first step is to conduct an initial assessment by meeting with your loved one to learn more about their medical history, any memory or cognitive issues, medications, and any other issues or concerns. We also assess their ability to live on their own:
- Are they safe to drive?
- Are there fall hazards in the house?
- Are they able to take their medications reliably? Follow doctor’s orders?
- Are they isolated? Depressed?
We use an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to assess their strengths and areas that could use additional support, tailoring solutions to each individual’s needs while respectfully maintaining the client and family’s integrity and dignity.
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Care coordination
Perhaps your loved one needs in-home caregivers.
- Maybe they require regular visits to a neurologist or for physical therapy.
- It could be they would benefit from an early-dementia support group.
- Moving to memory care may be the wisest option.
Whatever their care needs, we can make recommendations for the best local providers. We know the area VERY well. We can also provide oversight to be sure the care they are receiving is in line with patient and family goals. (For instance, that in-home caregivers are helping with exercises as promised, or that the transition to memory care is going smoothly.) Many families hire us to oversee home care providers and teach staff necessary skills, from dementia care to monitoring an oxygen machine.
It may be that you want us to serve as a patient advocate, taking them to doctor appointments and ensuring communication among their care team. Our Aging Life Care Professionals understand medical jargon and know how to explain the options well to your loved one. We describe the pros and cons of proposed treatments. For instance, drugs versus surgery. We help you and your loved one make the choices that best support their goals of care. In addition, you might want us to coordinate programs such as Meals on Wheels and senior transportation. Even hospice or palliative care when the time comes.
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Education and support
A lot of the work of family caregiving involves learning what’s normal for your loved one’s unique situation. Whether they have diabetes or dementia, cancer or heart failure, we can explain the disease and how it—and probable treatments—are likely to affect daily life.
Print resources. We have educational resources available to make your life easier. From a lending library of books on caregiving to checklists on what to take to the hospital, or steps needed to move a loved one to a facility, we’ve got you covered.
Consultations for family caregivers. Based on our experience and training, we can discuss what’s happening now and give you a view into the future. We can also help you, the family caregiver, cope with feelings and pressures that the challenges of aging relatives are bringing into your life.
Topics might include the following:
- Strategies for managing difficult dementia behaviors such as sundowning, combativeness, repetitive questions, or wandering
- The sandwich generation: Dealing with the twin pressures of child-rearing and eldercare
- Work–life balance: Juggling professional commitments with family duties
- Unresolved family issues such as an alcoholic parent or a history of child abuse or neglect
- Sadness and depression as you watch your loved one decline
Flexible scheduling and formats
We can meet in person, via video conferencing, or over the phone.
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Family discord
If only eldercare were easy! It’s not.
Disagreement among family members is very common. The older adult may not think they need any help. Sister thinks Mom should move in with her. Brother thinks it’s time for a nursing home. Or the eldest daughter is taking on the bulk of the responsibility and feels no one else is helping. (Conversely, siblings may be feeling like she is micromanaging and there’s no room for them to contribute.)
Family systems are strong and sibling rivalry reemerges. You are not alone if you find that dealing with family is one of the most challenging aspects of eldercare.
Family meetings. With a social worker on staff and nurses to help explain the medical situation, we can meet with family members and get everyone on the same page about your relative’s strengths and the areas where they need help. Together we draft a care plan that has everyone contributing in ways that are realistically comfortable. We help the family keep the focus on the best interests of Mom and Dad.
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