Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Watch the video blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oltA6PVmEXo

Often families come to the conclusion that it’s a safety risk for their frail elder family member to stay at home yet 24/7 in-home care is not affordable.  The question arises: What is best for Mom or Dad?

Remember to think of future needs as you make a decision for the needs of today.  If your parent has a progressive illness, be certain that the retirement community you choose can meet the changing needs of your parent and know what the costs of that support might be.

It is helpful to have a skilled objective professional work with you and your family.  I highly recommend that you hire someone who will be your advocate in assessing Mom.  This will give you an environment that will enhance your senior family member’s life and give you all peace of mind.

This activity will usually be about 3 or 4 hours of professional geriatric care management time.  And many care managers will arrange for you to get a discount on your first months rent – so in the end you wind up getting more back than you paid for in advice and direction.  Be sure that the care manager you have hired is certified as a care manager and a member or part of a team that are members of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

A professional who does not receive a “kick back” for the referral is going to refer you to a home or community they are familiar with and help you look at all the variables before making this important decision.

]]> http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/2010/07/finding-senior-housing-for-aging-parents/feed/ 0 http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/2009/07/truly-living/ http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/2009/07/truly-living/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:19:27 +0000 Patti Liberman http://eldercareanswers.com/blog/?p=64

Professional Geriatric Care Manager Supervisor, Patti Liberman, RN, MFT, CMC

I have a client.  Her name is Jackie.  She is dying, but she doesn’t think so.  She looks fondly at the mourning dove settled in her nest in the flowerpot hanging over the patio of the board and care home that Jackie now calls home.  “I love sitting in the garden” she says.  Even as she struggles to breathe and they are taking her out on a gurney to the hospital… she tilts her head up to feel the warm rays of sunshine.  She closes her eyes and her entire face is smiling in appreciation of this great gift.  Jackie is dying………or is she just really living?

It is a time like this that makes me feel so privileged to be a Care Manager.