Plan ahead for care options – even if your parents are not ready

In general, two-thirds of the time, the “adult children” are the ones who take the initiative to move their parent, aunt/uncle or grandparent to a senior living community. Most often, Camino and Westwind Executive Directors CJ Patterson and Maria Duarte receive a call, email or drop-in visit from the “adult child” who thinks their parent would benefit from more support — but their parent is resisting, clinging to staying in their long-time home.

Plan Ahead!

The message CJ and Maria have for these “adult kids” is Don’t wait! Educate yourself on senior living community and home care options. Best not to wait until your parents are ready. 

Schedule a visit to an assisted living community to see what services they provide. Most Assisted Living communities provide meals, housekeeping, laundry, social activities and transportation. Plus, they offer “wellness” or “care” support for such activities of daily living, such as medication management, bathing, grooming, AM/PM care, assistance with taking a shower, incontinent care and more. Visit several communities to compare options. If and when your parent is ready, or has a health setback, you won’t be starting from scratch during a vulnerable time in their life. You’ll have a preliminary plan. You’ll know which community to call, which senior living professional you trust, and can help guide your parent during a stressful time in their life.

Ask about pricing for assisted living. Does the monthly rental cost include “Wellness or Care services?” Many assisted living communities have a point system to document each item of activities of assisted living. Villa has the benefit of all-inclusive pricing where Wellness services are part of your monthly rental fee.

Call a home care company to check what services they provide. What is the minimum time required to have a caregiver come to your Mom’s home? Do you have to hire someone for a 4-hour block of time? If so, at what hourly rate? If and when your parent is ready, you’ll have a plan in place to help them with basic services like taking a shower, providing meals, or doing their laundry/linens. 

Starting the Conversation. If you are not sure how to initiate a discussion with your parents on senior living, here’s some information on initiating the conversation with your parents. If they are not receptive, you don’t have to wait for your parents to be ready before you start planning for their care. If your parents eventually decide to move to an assisted living facility, make a plan for the first 3 months so they have a smooth transition.

Questions? Call Camino Executive Director CJ Patterson at 505-573-2-2- or Westwind House Executive Director Maria Duarte at 505-831-0002. Or visit their respective websites at CaminoRetirement.com or WestwindHouse.com.