Care Management

We start the process by visiting the home and making sure there is proper access and all potential safety problems have been addressed. After a thorough examination of the needs facing the senior and the extent to which the caregiver can be part of the solution, a plan to move the situation in a positive direction can be implemented.  The core goal is to promote the health and safety of older adults, helping them with everyday tasks so they may live independently in their own homes.  Many times a senior may need minimal help with specific tasks. Sometimes in the beginning 2 or 3 hours a week plus a few phone calls are all that may be required. Remember these decisions are not being made in a vacuum.  The senior will have plenty to say about what they think they need whether or not the thinking is grounded in reality. The trick is to get them to accept the help and a couple of hours a week is a start.  Remember there is not law or agency that can force your loved one to accept help.  Below is a list of just a few potential tasks that may make life a little easier.   

Meal Preparation Medication Management Escorted Errands Respite Care After Surgery Daily Phone Calls Daily or Weekly Visits

Shop for Groceries Banking Bill Pay Light Housekeeping Home Maintenance Socialization

A homemaker/companion can handle any of the tasks mentioned above.  As the situation changes and the type of help required becomes more specific, the addition of a CNA, LPN, RN, or 24 hour care can be arranged. If a move to an ALF (Assisted Living Facility) or a Skilled Nursing Facility becomes apparent, we can arrange for an orderly search for proper accommodations.  

Our most important function is to help relieve the stress associated with this process. Guilt and resentment are the order of the day.  Children forced to make life decisions for their parents and seniors compelled to accept these decisions from adults they will always consider their children. It is never easy but we can help it go smoothly.  

Caregiver Surrogate Program is usually triggered after an out-of-state adult child visits their single parent in Florida who is living alone. It soon becomes obvious that Mom or Dad is beginning to exhibit early signs of dementia. They may even have taken their parent to a Neurologist and were given a diagnosis of early stage Alzheimer’s. The problem is compounded by the fact that the senior insists that there is nothing wrong. You will then have a heated discussion about how you can’t leave until some provision is made for some kind of help.  The parent will usually consent as a compromise to accept someone checking in every so often to see if they are ok or need any help.  This is where we take over and have been very successful.  The parent in the beginning puts up with the visits to please their child.  If we do our job correctly, soon we have gained their trust and they look forward to the company. We let the senior know we are available 24 hours a day and encourage them to call if they have the slightest concern about anything. For your part if one of your phone calls goes unanswered, be can quickly make a stop by the house and find out if there is a problem.  We will watch for signs as we help the parent deal with the small problems that develop. You will be kept informed every step of the way by e-mail or phone.  As the situation changes we will be there to help sort out the difficult decisions ahead.