So often I don’t hear from families until they are in Crisis Mode! I relate to  that action, that is exactly why I started A Senior’s Choice!

When my family was faced with the illness of our father who had been hospitalized, we were told he could not return home this time. It was up to us, his children, to find a bed for him in a nursing home, we were stund, frozen…  “Now what!” we thought, where do we go from here? Where do we start? Why are we even having to deal with this? Never did we think we would end up in this situation, but here we were, with this new issue thrown in our laps!

So, first thought is; Poor Dad, he doesn’t deserve this… How could we have allowed this to happen to our father?  Well, the answer is simple now that I have had 4 years to research the options and resources that are and were available to our loved ones.  Again! DO NOT WAIT FOR A CRISIS TO HAPPEN…MAKE A PLAN!

When I meet with families to discuss a course of action, I often ask them if they have a financial advisor they meet with, and if so, don’t they usually discuss with you where you see yourself 6 months down the road, a year down the road, 3 years down the road… etc.  Well, I ask you the same questions except I ask where do you see your loved one and what role will you be playing in regards to the care and safety of your loved one.  The number one concern for most families of elders is their safety.  Are they living alone? Do they need to climb stairs in order to go to bed or do laundry? Are they eating well and taking their medications properly if at all, without being reminded? Those are just a few questions we need to ask ourselves as their main caregivers.  If you answer these questions with doubt and uncertainty, then it’s definitely time to ask for assistance and figure out a course of action.  One that best meets the needs of your loved one and yours as well.

Unfortunately my family did not have anyone asking  to help us set up a plan or connect us to the proper resources and that is why our father spent the last four years of his life in a nursing home, not the quality of life we ever wished for him nor did he deserve.  Had I known then what I know now things could have been different for all of us and I will gladly share with you what I have learned. 

More to come…

If you would like immediate answers to questions you may have, please contact us immediately at: www.aseniorschoiceonline.com or 518-424-2527  ask for Clare