How a Placement Specialist Can Assist You to Find a Home For You or Your Loved One.
One of the most famous quotes by Dorothy in the 1939 film Wizard of Oz is, “There is no place like Home”. Indeed this is true for most everyone and no one looks forward to the day when they may have to leave their home or, if the occurrence of an “event” necessitates, the need for a family to make this decision for a loved one.
While an In-Home, Non Medical Care Giver is a wonderful solution to help a senior to stay in their own home for as long as possible, there may come a day when even this is no longer the best option. We all know that there are 24 hours in a day. While a Care Giver may be hired to assist with activities of daily living for several of these hours, a person who is no longer able to manage these things on their own due to Dementia, Alzheimer’s or other disabilities may impose unintentional self neglect during the time that they are left by themselves whether day or night. Burns from stove or oven mishaps can occur, malnutrition and dehydration, improper medication management can cause serious problems, and falls become common occurrences.
According to the CDC, Each year, millions of older people—those 65 and older—fall. In fact, one out of three older people fall each year, but less than half tell their families or Doctor. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.
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Falls can cause broken bones, like wrist, arm, ankle, and hip fractures.
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Falls can cause head injuries and brain injuries. These can be very serious, especially if the person is taking certain medicines (like blood thinners).
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Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.
How do we begin?
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Once a Placement Specialist has been contacted regarding a request, they will meet with the senior and or their family to do an assessment to find out what the individual(s) physical, mental and emotional needs are as well as their likes, dislikes and desired location.
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The pros and cons of a larger Facility or a smaller Care Home will be explained and discussed for a better understanding and help in the decision making process.
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Budget is a huge concern for a family. This will be addressed at the time of the assessment to find out what can be afforded on a monthly basis. There are possible options including private pay, Long Term Insurance policy benefits which can be used to pay for or towards the cost of the Care Facility, VA benefits and, if qualifying criteria is met, ALTCS (Arizona Long Term Care System) – Arizona’s Medicaid program that provides long term care services. Based upon the assessment of the individual’s needs, preferences, budget and location, the Placement Specialist will provide 2 or 3 options for the senior and or family to look at so that they are able to take the “guess work” out of the equation and make a positive decision for their future. The Placement Specialist will continue alongside the families before, during, and after the move has taken place to ensure that they are being well cared for and comfortable in their new home.
Not every family is able to provide round the clock care for their loved one due to their own family obligations, work schedules, or closeness in proximity and hiring a Care Giver to be present 24/7 proves to be very costly. So what is a person to do?
Thankfully there is a solution. Independent, Assisted Living, and Memory Care Communities as well as “Care Homes” can provide the 24/7 care that an individual requires and provide much needed peace of mind for family and friends.
These Facilities and Homes have come a long way since the day my own Grandparents required this kind of care. Many of us may have memories of unfortunate sights and smells that we carry with us to this day when we think of what use to be commonly referred to as a “Nursing Home”.
The problem is that there are so many to choose from. Where does a person begin the process of finding the right fit for their family member or loved one? While there are marked improvements over the years within these residences, experience and evaluation, and caution still need to be exercised.
This is where a “Placement Specialist” can step in and provide wisdom and guidance as well as do the leg work for the individuals searching to make this most important decision. The Placement Specialist has done the homework. The individuals seeking help in choosing a place to live will be shown locations that have been toured and approved by the specialist based upon licensing, compliance with state regulations, and of utmost importance, care given to the residents. No cost is involved to the senior or their family for this service. The costs incurred are paid thru a Referral Fee to the Placement Agent by the Facility or Care Home themselves.
To contact a Placement Specialist, please call our office: Legacy Home Care, 480-777-0070 for a FREE assessment. We consider it a privilege to help you in this most important decision. Visit our website at: www.legacyhomecare.net.
Legacy Home Care has been serving the valley since 2007. We are family owned and operated with over 75 caregivers. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as: Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans' Home Care program.
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