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Housing
Options: Learn "How It Works" in
the senior housing market. Your best option is based on your
personal needs. Taking a Prescreening Test below will help
you determine specifics you may need. Personalized input will
be provided via contact with our founder. Finances are always
pertinent: know the resources at your disposal.
Prescreening
Test:
Determine your preliminary senior housing needs by completing
this survey. I will personally contact you to help you a)
understand and b) explore available options together.
DO
YOUR HOMEWORK:
1.
Always contact
your local Area Office on Aging for any potential referrals
and / or available cost-effective services which could be
provided for comprehensive services. www.aoa.gov
2.
Always go on-line and check out www.medicare.gov
for comparison of long term care communities in your proximity.
Calling the numbers provided below will permit you to get the
State Inspection Survey Results of specific long-term care facilities.
These results can also be seen when you are provided a tour
of ANY facility. They are in a notebook usually located in proximity
of the entryway to the community. Ask the Receptionist, Administrator
or Director of Admissions to see this document. It will tell
you the types of violations that the community has had.
NOTE:
Some communities maintain the condition prepared for a State
Inspection at all times. Some communities maintain status quo
jumping to the plate at the anticipated time for State Inspectors
appearance to their community.
Alzheimer's
Care: Always contact your local chapter of the
Alzheimer’s Association for expert input and help first.
Toledo Area Alzheimer’s Association is located on Reynolds
Road (between Bancroft & Central) www.alz.org
Memory impaired residents have special needs. Donąt assume
that the community will be able to safeguard your loved one
at every turn.
What
to Look For When Visiting:
Tips on touring any community.
- Word of Mouth
is the best marketing tool. What kind of reputation do they
have? Check out their Inspection Survey. Do they take residents
with your health insurance provider?
- Take a tour
and have your eyes wide open. How long is a call light or
a request left unattended? Do the residents seem happy /
content? Stop and chat. Does the staff appear overburdened
or congenial?
- Safety First.
Are they using wheelchair alarms for residents who might
try to walk when they are unable? What about those who could
fall out of bed? Are wander guards used for dementia residents
who might try to go for a walk? How do they safeguard residents
outside? In the bathrooms, what kind of precautions are
in place?
- Do you notice
any smells? Neglect? Ask about the food the menu and options
available. How clean are residents kept? Facility kept?
Bathing Frequency? Dental Care? Inquire about activities…are
pets just for show or do they really interact (The Eden
Concept).
- Rehab is an
intricate part of any community. Are they employees? Contractors?
What are their personalities like? Do they care? What about
unique therapies? Massage, Water, Speech, Occupational,
Physical. What kind of regular exercise opportunities are
there?
- Hospice care,
what agencies do they accommodate? What services can be
provided? Psychiatric, Pastoral, Counseling, Visiting?
- How frequently
is the community’s doctor TRULY there? Can you be told
of when his /her arrival is anticipated? Is it a doctor
or intern, nurse practitioner? Is he a Geriatric physician?
Can your own physician come to that community?
- Intuition is
a gift, use it. If your gut tells you something just isn’t
right, follow your instincts, follow up and check on your
loved one frequently. You are their best advocate, don’t
be afraid to ask, (but ask, don’t demand).
I
have connected with a valuable resource for your educational related
to care giving a loved one.
Barbara Friesner, www.agewiseliving.com,
has audio on her website that you will find a valuable 'listen
to' as you approach different aspects of care giving. You
can purchase some of her products from me for a modest amount.
In particular, I find her Tele-Seminar and Newsletters of
benefit not only for my clients, but for myself as well. Her
tools are great validation that you are heading in the right
direction.
MEDICATION
REMINDERS:
This is an awesome tool to help seniors and their families
appropriate dispense medications without a huge investment.
Check out this website. http://www.monitoringcare.com/pill-dispenser/index.aspn.
An
additional valuable resource for you.
Access this site www.ltc.ohio.gov
for information regarding the consumer perspectives of care
facilities in Ohio. This insight will provide you with considerations
that you may not have considered and opinions of people who
have experience with the particular environment.
Driving:
I am concerned about my aging loved ones ability to keep
driving, what options do I have?
1) Contact Total Rehab located at Flower Hospital and set
up a testing appointment in their simulator (419) 824-1968,
clearing it through your family physician first could in
fact increase the possible coverage by Medicare.
2) Armed with the Social Security Number of the individual
in question you can contact the Department of Motor Vehicles
at (614) 752-7500 and relate your concern which will initiate
investigation into their capabilities through your local
DMV. Your name will be listed as the one with concern, if
you do not want this responsibility, often times your doctor
can implement for you.
3) Honest, frank discussion regarding your concerns is always
good, if you are uncertain how to initiate this dialog contact
Elderly Odds N' Ends.
ASSISTED LIVING.
Henderson House is a small group home envirnoment which is an assisted living. It is a 4 unit apartment building which has been converted to accommodate multiple residents. There are 4 units with private baths. Each unit consists of a moderate size bedroom. Costs varying depending on individual capabilities. It is a cost effective, non-institutionalized environment that caters to the individual needs of residents. Penny Henderson, R. N. is the owner. Penny insures that all residents experience a affectionate, caring environment surrounded by family and friends. Pricing includes the following services: 3 meals a day, housekeeping, laundry and linens, dressing, bathing, and medication dispensing. Henderson House recognizes that the aging journey varies for each individual and their family dynamic. The care adapts to the individuals needs rather than the individual adapting to the needs of the environment. Ratios of staff to residents are small, Henderson House only has occupancy for approximately 12 residents. Aids are on staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Family is welcome to visit anytime and encouraged to visit often. Activities are offered to all residents. Assistance for physician appointments is available if needed for a nominal fee. The ability of Penny to act as a liaison between the family physicians, therapists, hospice, and other medical assistance is of great benefit to the residents and their families. www.hendersonhouseal.com.
The attached link is an internet medium where I advertise
-- although it takes a bit of effort to find me. There is
a CNN video clip that talks about the value in finding Geriatric
Care Management...just what I do. Check it out!. http://www.eldercarelink.com.
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