Let us do the work so you can enjoy your time together.
First and foremost, my job is to ease your mind. I help you navigate and plan, instead of muddling through alone. To get there I provide Comprehensive Assessments and Care Action Plans. Ideally, I start by assessing the whole person and environment by visiting the older adult in his or her home. From there, I make recommendations for next steps, and consider a spectrum of services in the care action plan, connecting you with benefits and vetted resources. I can do the assessment over the phone or in a video call if there are Covid-19 restrictions.
Comprehensive Assessment and Care Action Plans: A comprehensive assessment looks at several aspects of the older adult's life to determine the appropriate level of care. The assessment tools include the Activities of Daily Living assessment, a depression assessment, a strengths inventory and several others. The purpose of this is to ask the right questions to understand the person's needs and strengths.
A care action plan outlines the best approach to the person's care and takes into account the information from the assessment looking at all factors including the environment, social supports etc. It suggests how to connect the needs and strengths of the older adult with the available resources. Care Action Plan Coordination - This service includes implementing the plan that the older adult and/or the Family Caregiver have chosen. This could include an array of services including arranging for the appropriate home health providers to applying for appropriate benefits. It could also include helping an older adult transition to an appropriate care facility, whether it is independent, assisted, memory care, or long term care. Advocacy with Medical Team or Residential Staff - It is often helpful to have someone to advocate for the older adult that has experience communicating with medical providers and care facility staff members. This is especially important if the older adult doesn't feel well or doesn't feel up to the task and family members do not live nearby. |
Applying for Benefits - We are happy to stand in line to represent and advocate for the client at the Social Security office, Department of Human Services office,or the Veterans' Administration to make sure they have access to the benefits they need.
Counseling for Family Caregivers - Family caregivers often need someone to talk to give them ideas on approaches to care or to affirm what they are doing. This helps relieve stress and give confidence to the Family Caregiver. Recommendation of Group Living Facilities - Should it be determined that group living is best for the older adult, we make informed recommendations for independent living, supportive living, assisted living and long term care facilities. Our recommendations are based on the quality of the care. Other "free" placement firms receive placement fees which affects their objectivity. Regular Visits - We can visit the older adult in their home on a regular basis. Activities can include most anything that is important to the person ranging from organizing to assessing the environment for safety. Status Report to Family - Many families live in different areas of the country or world from the older adult. In the case where the older adult may not be able to communicate easily due to illness or disability, we can give regular updates via phone, video conferencing, or written reports. Review of Options Given Covid-19- While many older adults and their families had a solid plan in place, given the new reality of Covid-19, they may want to review and update their best care options in this new environment. This can be done by phone or video call. |
Serving Older Adults in Chicago and greater Chicagoland,
and Family Caregivers anywhere.
and Family Caregivers anywhere.