Being a decision maker for an aging person requires varying levels of choices. Most people know the difference between right and wrong in daily decision making but it can be very stressful to make difficult decisions for a loved family member, knowing that decision will affect the remainder of their life. Assisting with these decisions is very stressful and may cause you to feel guilty about being the one, making such a choice for another person.
One of those decisions that can be very stressful is deciding what to do when caring for a family member who has progressed to the point of needing assistance, beyond what can be provided by family. With careers and family life, the caregiver may feel guilty when they must prioritize their own family needs over that of the aging person.
Loving everyone involved creates a situation of being torn between the direct, personal care of an aging parent and the daily care of those in our own family, along with our career and responsibilities. Couple that with the worries that come from seeking care outside of a family home and stories of poor care can make the decision more difficult.
This is where a care manager becomes a valuable resource. Because we look at the whole situation from a professional perspective that considers all the factors involved in care, you can count on our work to help you make the right decision. The goal is always to find high quality care that serves the unique needs of the aging person. Our first step is an assessment, which includes looking at their daily life, financial, medical, mental health, safety, and social involvement. This holistic review creates a picture of their needs. Our clients often ask us to attend appointments with their loved one and provide access to records so that we can use our expertise to understand their needs.
Additionally, we meet with the client, the aging person, to get to know them and hear what they can share about their desires. Even if they cannot share, due to cognitive issues, we still meet them so that we can understand the level of their care needs. While we make decisions that help the family, our client is the aging person, and our goal is to make sure that our recommendations best serve their needs.
From our work in the community and with families, we have knowledge of the options available in the community. The first option to consider whether a home care company could provide assistive services in the home. For a client who is highly mobile but still needs regular care, this can be a good option to keep them in their home if possible. Other options may include the need to move to a location that offers a higher level of services, whether it be independent living, assisted living, a nursing or rehab option, memory care, or something else. Regardless of options that we recommend, we never accept referral or finder’s fees from any of the places, or services, we recommend.
If the best option is for your loved one to move to a care facility, we will guide you through options and decisions and will go with you to tour locations. We’ll share what we know and whether is or isn’t a good option for your loved one. Ultimately, you will make the final decision, but you will be doing this with our expertise providing you with the tools to make sure the decision is the right fit.
Considering the best level of care for your loved ones needs on this professional level often alleviates the guilt felt by the family because they learn that the care change is actually better for the aging person, and they realize that it works well for them and the family. Better care means no guilt! If you are in a situation where you are not sure what the best options are for the care of an aging person in your life, please please give us a call at 561-291-3699 or email us at info@palmbeachcaremanagement.com. We do far more than just consider the best living option and we would be happy to alleviate the worry in your family.
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