Unveiling the Assessment Process

At Caring Considerations/ Aging Life Care Managers®, we understand the intricate challenges families face while caring for seniors. Our assessments will create a roadmap for balanced, enriched, healthy living. We confront obstacles, align goals, and ensure documentation of your healthcare.  Assessment can mean different things to you and to us.  Here’s our most common approach.

Through targeted questions and the gathering of information, we uncover your unique situation:

Health Snapshot: Medical history and recent physician visits.
Medication Check: Medication list and reviewing management systems.
Safe Spaces: Home assessment for secure aging.
Wellness: Nutrition and overall health.
Legal Review: Your documentation for incapacity planning.
Emotional Insights: Psychosocial understanding.
Future Readiness: Funeral plans and crisis prevention.
Create a Plan of Care and Informed Steps Ahead…

Our assessment also covers these crucial aspects:

Defining Goals: Your aspirations and their aspirations.
Addressing Concerns: Primary worries and fears.
Visualizing Success: Ideal outcomes for your family.
Effective Strategies: Past successes and failures.
Family Dynamics: Understanding inter-family conversations.
Comprehensive, Electronic Health Documentation…

We finish an assessment by providing a verbal and email report packed with insights and actionable recommendations.

What’s your definition of an assessment? We want to know how we can elevate your family’s quality of life. Contact us at 571-488-9396  [email protected]

So many of us worry about our loved ones being safe, comfortable and treated with kindness when they are living a senior community (i.e. assisted living).

The sad fact is most elder abuse is by a family member. Abuse can come in many forms such as intimidation (emotional), physical or financial, neglect, etc.

But what about in care settings? Most reported abuse doesn’t happen in care settings. But what can you do to make sure your loved one is getting the best care?

1. Come from a place of support to staff. We recommend you are an active, visible advocate in the senior community. Get to know the caregivers, nurse’s and managers and even other family members.
2. Visit often and at different times of the day.
3. Know warning signs of the various types of abuse.

It’s always wise to ask questions of the staff when you are unsure about community procedures and situations.  And it never hurts to bring a treat or something else to the staff. Let them know you respect and care about what they do for your family member.

Questions You Can Ask Your Loved One

Older adults are often grateful for the care they receive and they may not want to complain.  It is true caregiving may never be perfect, but to some extent, we may need to pick the battles.  The other thing you can do is ask the older adult the following questions:

• Who is responsible for caring for you (during the day, in the evening, etc.)?
• Do you feel safe where you are living?
• Does anyone scold you or shout at you?
• Has anyone ever hit or slapped you?
• Has anyone left you alone waiting for food, drink or care?
• Has anyone ever made you do things you don’t want to do?
• Have you ever signed something you do not understand?

When Your Loved-one Has Memory Loss

The important thing to consider in this evaluation is memory loss.  If the resident suffers from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), then you can usually have faith in their answers to these questions.  However, if your loved one has more moderate or severe memory loss or his/her memory is getting worse, be aware that suspicion and confusion is common.  Older adults with memory loss can’t always understand or process what is going on around them, so they will express feelings differently.  In these cases, changes in behavior might be the best indicator of something isn’t quite right.

What To Do If You Suspect Abuse

Get your facts and information together.  Keep an open mind and seek to understand.  Local senior living communities have a grievance process which should be posted in their community in an obvious place.  If you don’t see it, ask for it.  Try to resolve a concern internally with owners and managers.

You may also wish to the local Ombudsman’s Program via the county Area Agency on Aging.  To find your local Area Agency on Aging visit https://www.usaging.org/

A last resort would be to contact the county Adult Protective Services office via the local Area Agency on Aging. https://www.usaging.org/ http://vaaaa.org/

I’m always a little unsure how to provide a meaningful answer when we are asked, “What does an Aging Life™ Care Manager do?”.  To many, our responsibilities seem straight-forward. To others, they may scratch their head and try to imagine how we might be able to help a loved-one better than family.  Families don’t necessarily contact us when the problem is straight-forward, we are contacted as experts who can accomplish so much more in less time.

We are care consultants (RNs, Certified Care Managers, Certified Dementia Practitioners, etc.) with a responsibility for helping the most vulnerable. Care Management can be similarly described as ‘case management’.  However, Care Managers are typically involved in helping adult children help their aging parent(s).  We also support solo agers who may not have enough or any family support.

Listen to the video.  Do you still have questions?  Please contact us at 571-488-9396 or email us [email protected].

It can be a little confusing. Both terms use the word care.  When an older adult needs help, we commonly think of someone who can come to the home and help around the house. They are known as Aides (or caregivers, certified nurse’s aides, companion, private duty aides).  While this is true, isn’t it also true that older adults need help with more complex tasks such as advocacy, coordinating services, medication, Dr. appointments, managing finances, emergencies, etc.?  Are Aides expected to perform those tasks?

The answer is no.  A son or daughter would usually perform those higher-level duties. But what if an older adult didn’t have family support?  (We’ll get to that later.)

Here’s what an Aide would be doing:

What is HOME CARE?

An Aide provides meal prep, light housekeeping, shopping with client, laundry, transportation (if possible)

Personal “hands-on” care for the following necessary Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):

Bathing, Dressing, Grooming, Walking, Eating, Toileting, Transferring to Bed, etc.

Verbal reminders to take medication, being nearby for safety and companionship

Home Care Agency- RN Supervisors perform the intake, visit client a minimum of every 90 days, schedule, supervise and train Aides.

Agency is responsible for staffing and payroll.

Private-pay/Private-duty Aides are not supervised by an Agency.  They contract and receive payment directly from client or family.

Many family members help with personal care (ADLs) and Care Management. Care Management which can be described as all the other aspects of life: advocacy, care coordination, Dr. appointments, decision support, medication management, and being available 24/7 for an emergency.

 

 

 

 

Here’s what Care Management would be doing:

What is CARE MANAGEMENT?

A professional* will perform a holistic assessment of risks and needs. Medical, social, safety, cognition, housing, social, legal, financial, personal goals, etc. are all documented, and a care plan is developed to improve overall quality of life.

A Care Manager will help coordinate, execute tasks, communicate and provide ongoing education/guidance.

RN supervised Dr. appt.s, 24/7 emergency response, coordination of associated services such as home care, hospitalization, rehab, physical therapy, daily money managers, fiscal oversight, hospice, home modifications, etc.

Communicate care plans and update as needed. Discuss living and care options.

RN manages medications, overall health checks, vital sign monitoring, communicates with Dr.s, and insurance

Reports to responsible party: family, POA, Guardian or Trustee

Consultations are a big part of Care Management. Individuals and families are often faced with a learning curve to solve problems and concerns such as,

• “Would all of our lives be better if she were in an assisted living?”
• “How can I get him to accept help?”
• “How do I handle worsening memory loss ?”
• “Am I doing the right things?”
• “Who will be there for me as I age?”

For those who do not have enough family support, there are major benefits to hiring an Aging Life Care™ Professional. As we age it’s important to have healthcare advocacy and other support 24/7. Care Management will help create a team of reputable experts to keep everyone in check and focused on the best results for the client. Think of us as surrogate daughters with vast knowledge in aging well!

Caring Considerations 571-488-9396  [email protected]

*Aging Life Care™ Professional, Certified Care Manager and/or RN, Licensed Social Worker