“Mom fell, again”…
what has been her gradual, physical and cognitive decline had not been noticed, much less anticipated.
Is it safe for her to drive? Can she remember to lock the front door? What about the thermostat? Has she already taken her meds today?
Who can stay with her? When family pitches in, they average 20 hours per week.
Solution?
A variety of senior living options answer many important needs including:
- Nutrition: 3 meals a day with no dishes to wash.
- Safety: Front door opens into the safety of indoors as opposed to the outdoors. Help with meds.
- Transportation: Communities provide transportation to medical appointments, shopping and outings.
- Social: Familiar company at meals. A variety of activities including gardening, crafts and music.
Which senior living community best fits “Mom’s” needs? Which senior living community will accept her? Which senior living options are affordable?
(The average cost of assisted living is around $5,500 per month. Who pays? Hint: not Medicare.)
What happens to the house? the contents? How best may a family stay informed of her day-to-day status?
Having worked through my own mother’s progressive needs in aging and, more recently, observed those of my wife’s Mom, I have set out to assist adult children who, likewise, are realizing their “Mom’s” capacities are declining and needs are multiplying.
More specifically and at no charge, I am offering to carefully align “Mom’s” individual needs with the variety of senior living options. Certified as a Senior Transition Specialist, I collaborate regularly with care experts and placement professionals. I have toured dozens of local options.
(By the way, “A Place for Mom” has set foot in very few, if any, of our local communities and they only refer to those that pay them.)
My value-add includes guidance with readiness; needs assessment; comparing costs; rate increases; what to ask/notice while touring. I can refer to specialists in powers-of-attorney, guardianship, veterans’ benefits, decluttering and move management. To defray community costs, I can even look at the suitability of expeditiously selling a family home about to be vacated.
Services are comprehensive — they are also complimentary. No charge.
Ken Shires
Bridgetender Senior Services 