It is impossible to capture all of the different ways in which we assist older adults and their families, but the case studies below provide some examples of the many ways in which having a care manager involved can lead to positive outcomes for a variety of circumstances.
Case Studies
- Planning for how to pay for care
- Signs of decline
- Navigating hospitals
- Spousal Caregivers
- Elder Exploitation
- Caregiving Burden
- LGBTQ Elders
- Child-free Seniors
Planning for how to pay for care
The economy has affected your parents’ portfolio and now the family must decide if it will be possible to supplement their care. How much money will be needed for care?
HOW WE HELP:
- Providing you with simple, yet comprehensive information, about what your options are for care and how much it will cost
- Reviewing budgets to see if there are duplicated services being provided
- Helping to locate benefits – such as Veteran’s benefits – that might be able to pay for assistance
Signs of decline
Visiting parents during the holidays gives you the opportunity to see see first-hand how they are doing and it is not good – bills are late, food is scarce and expired, and personal hygiene seems to be failing. How do you know where to begin with tackling these issues?
HOW WE HELP:
- Educating all family members about the problems that exist and what solutions are available
- Developing an action plan to address all of the problems observed and implementing solutions
- Providing an experienced care manager to oversee and monitor the care plan
Navigating hospitals
You regularly check in on your mom who is living independently in your town. But suddenly, a change in health status sends her to the hospital and rehab center. You work full-time and care for your family. How are you going to be able to oversee her transition?
HOW WE HELP:
- Establishing contact with the physicians, discharge planners, and other professionals to let them know that we are assisting your family with this process
- Educating family members about the often complex navigation through the long-term care system
- Providing family members with inside information about the facilities and services providers that are available for them to choose from
- Giving our clients peace of mind to know that a knowledgeable professional is advocating for their loved one, even when they can’t be there
Spousal Caregivers
Your mom is the caregiver for your father, who has Alzheimer’s disease. She is growing less able to care for him on a daily basis.
HOW WE HELP:
- Quickly providing an action plan that can address both the needs of your mother and father
- Lining up services that might be needed in the home to provide respite, or identifying services that might be useful during a transition to a care facility
- Monitoring your parents’ situation to ensure that both are safe and cared for as we bring in support services
Elder Exploitation
Your father is increasingly withdrawn and the presence of a new “friend” has the family uneasy. She seems to be spending a great deal of time with him and no one is sure what she might be up to.
HOW WE HELP:
- Evaluating the situation and identifying potential dangers, giving the family tips on how to handle the situation
- Providing referrals to the appropriate professionals, should legal action be necessary
- Giving you advice from our experienced care managers on how to prevent or stop elder abuse
Caregiving Burden
You are juggling family, work, and caring for both of your parents and you’ve reached your limit. You don’t see how you can continue and it is taking its toll on all areas of your life.
HOW WE HELP:
- Providing hands-on help to assist in solving basic & complicated caregiving challenges
- Identifying support groups, opportunities for respite, and other means of removing some stress from your situation
- Providing knowledgeable care managers who can take over the “leg work” of caregiving that can be stressful, time-consuming, and exhausting
LGBTQ Elders
Many LGBTQ seniors find themselves relying on their chosen family later in life, rather than their birth family, and this presents some unique challenges.
You and your spouse are nervous about beginning to plan for care as you age. How will you be treated if caregivers are coming to your home? What happens if one of you needs to be cared for in a facility?
HOW WE HELP:
- Provide advocacy for LGBTQ seniors in care settings so that they can feel safe being themselves as they age
- Identify LGBTQ-friendly professionals, such as attorneys and care providers, who can form part of the care team for these clients
- Providing knowledgeable care management services with a compassionate and inclusive approach to aging that supports the dignity of all of our clients
Child-free Seniors
You and your spouse (or maybe you are single) are child-free, but after taking care of your own parents, you realize that you might need help of your own as you age.
HOW WE HELP:
- Serving as Healthcare Power of Attorney (HCPOA) for individuals who first name a spouse, but need a secondary person listed
- Provide healthcare advocacy in long-term care or hospital settings for people who do not have a large support system available to them as they age
- Work with the Solo Senior (TM) to create a plan for aging and help implement this plan as they age