Putting the Pieces Together; Options for Seniors

Putting the Pieces Together; Options for Seniors

Over the last few years, I have been through multiple challenging scenarios with aging parents, in-laws, and other family members. From the more common issues such as dementia, falls, fractures, need for home care, acute care, and palliative care to a more unusual scenario involving financial and emotional abuse. Considering my 30 years as a registered nurse, and 25 of those years spent in seniors’ care leadership roles one would think those family transitions would go very smoothly. However, I was often frustrated and occasionally confused by the lack of coordinated, seamless service and care planning provided by the system. 

I had managed parts of that system, worked closely with stakeholders in acute care, continuing care, palliative care, and government, and I still experienced challenges. Imagine what others must go through during transitions for their loved ones.

How do those unfamiliar with the healthcare system and housing and care options find information, connect with the right people and ask the right questions? There are some great resources out there including seniors’ centres, websites, and housing and healthcare providers. But often each source has one piece of the puzzle and families are left trying to piece it all together. They may even provide conflicting information at times. Certainly, the information can be complex. The jargon alone can frustrate the best of us: SL3, SL4, SL4D, LTC, sub-acute rehab, ALC, end of life care, private, public, non-profit, and faith-based care, retirement living, independent living, and memory care just to name a few. 

Sometimes the solutions are simple; home care once a week for a shower or grocery delivery for example, while other situations may call for complex planning involving sale of a home, financial and legal documents, referrals, assessments, touring, and wait listing for funded care options. Each situation is unique based on needs, goals, and choices that a senior and their family make. For some like my 92-year-old in-laws, the goal is to stay in their home with some support despite the risk and challenges that this may present. For others, the goal may be to find the most appropriate facility-based housing or care option. There is no right answer and no one path. But you don’t have to travel that path alone. Whether you want some initial information and guidance or more hands-on assistance to do referrals, tour facilities, attend meetings, help you advocate for your loved one, we can help. 

Visit our website to learn more about how Senior Care Access consulting services can help. Review the experience and biographies of our consultants and contact us to set up an initial consultation. We think you will find that our consultants have diversity and level of experience that many others can’t offer. 
 
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