As health care advocates, our care managers are often consulted about the need to relocate, the timing, and what relocation options are available. This help is needed now more than ever, as our current circumstances have brought about some unprecedented living situations for older adults and their families.
In this pandemic, where prevention through social distancing is imperative, many older adults and their family members fear the separation currently in place in senior living. How unfortunate that most older adults sought socialization when they chose to move to a senior community but now require isolation from each other. This reality has many families reconsidering their options.
But for most older adults in senior living, returning back to their community is no longer a safe option. The individual may no longer have a residence to return to or family or friends to assist. Additionally, their condition and treatment may require nursing and medical oversight, continuously available caregiving, a special diet, or medication administration.
You may be considering moving your parent into your home, or perhaps you have been caring for them in your home already, thinking this was an interim plan. Many in this situation are asking, “how long will this be sustainable?” and “who can advise me on the options available to us?” As the primary caregiver for a parent, you may also be managing work from home and children attending school remotely. For others, the residence may be overcrowded and insufficient long term for someone with advancing dementia. Perhaps some home care is needed to provide respite for family members.
These circumstances bring tough decisions for all involved and necessitate a thoughtful plan. Over the years, we have heard many clients express regret over a lack of planning. We caution against this now, as many in these situations are feeling pressure to act quickly.
Here are just a few questions to consider:
- To what extent does your parent have the capacity to understand the circumstances?
- What are the older adult’s daily needs for assistance?
- How much caregiving would be required to support these needs?
- What are the associated costs, and is this option affordable?
- What is your back-up plan should someone in the household contract Covid or otherwise become ill?
Our care managers are uniquely qualified to provide expert guidance to older adults and their family members. Consider a consultation to assess the situation, identify what is needed, and to develop and implement a safe plan.
