*This is a sponsored post but, as always, my opinions are my own.
Caring for aging parents is a journey that many of us will embark on at some point in our lives. This responsibility comes with some difficult challenges, from making tough decisions about your loved one’s living arrangements to providing transportation and assisting with doctor’s appointments, to running errands and ensuring their daily care needs are met. It is not a “job” for the weak-at-heart. Fortunately, free resources like A Place for Mom offer invaluable support to caregivers navigating their caregiving journey. This article delves into how caregivers can utilize the resources found on A Place for Mom and connect with one of their expert advisors, to ensure they find the best possible care for their loved ones.
I was a caregiver for both my mom and my dad. My dad lived with me for four years until a week before he passed. When he first came to live with me, I was unaware that he had dementia but that quickly became obvious – he forgot how to make coffee, he left the burners on the stove on, he called the police because he thought the NASA astronauts had forgotten to replace a part when they were working on the shuttle (he saw them on TV), he called the hospital operator where I worked and yelled at her to go find me… and numerous other things. I knew he could benefit from additional care in a memory care community, but keeping him at home was the best option for our family. At that time, I was able to leave hospital work to stay home with him.
With my mother, although she was in her mid-nineties when she lived with me, she was fairly independent and had great cognitive abilities. I was just there to assist her by making meals, helping her with her laundry, etc. We did look for assisted living facilities for her nearby, but ultimately, she moved back to Canada where she grew up.
Like most caregivers, I was thrown into caregiving pretty quickly and without warning. I was unaware of my dad’s condition (he had vascular dementia and congestive heart failure) because he had been living with my sister. I really had no idea where to begin. The Alzheimer’s Association was a big help with the dementia piece but he had other needs as well.
At that time, I didn’t know about A Place for Mom. I wish I had. They offer personalized guidance wherever you are in the process of finding senior care for a loved one, and their service is free for families.
A Place for Mom Service Overview & Key Benefits
A Place for Mom is the nation’s leading senior advisory service, dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of finding senior care for their aging loved ones. Their mission is to enable caregivers to make the best senior living decisions and their service comes at no cost to families. With the guidance of expert Senior Living Advisors, families receive personalized support, helping to create a care plan tailored to their unique needs and preferences. What sets this service apart is the provision of a personal, dedicated advisor who remains with families throughout their journey, offering options and recommendations that align with their care, lifestyle, and budget criteria.
A Place for Mom’s service is designed to support Caregivers over time and at every step of the difficult, complex, and emotional caregiving journey.
Their advisors can help you prepare for the tough conversation that you’ll need to have with a parent when a higher level of care is needed or when you feel that the care you’re able to provide is not sufficient for their needs. It’s never easy but going into the conversation prepared can help you feel more confident.
A Place for Mom’s advisors will help you to understand the different levels of care and which one is the most appropriate choice for your loved one. You may also need to understand how to choose between assisted living and memory care. Assisted living facilities provide an environment where aging adults can receive assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, in a setting that promotes independence. Memory care, on the other hand, offers specialized care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other memory issues, incorporating security features and therapies designed to improve quality of life.
And of course, whatever living situation you choose for your loved one, there will be associated costs. A Place for Mom has a great resource about the costs of assisted living here.
If you’re considering keeping your loved one in their home or your home, here’s what you’ll need to know to make the caregiving journey easier and what types of expenses you might incur with in-home care.
Veterans Benefit Coverage for Caregivers
Notably, more than 30% of the families that A Place for Mom assists are veterans, and their expert advisors are well-versed in navigating VA benefits for senior care. This is huge because many caregivers aren’t aware of how to access the benefits that are available to them. Many of them don’t even know such things as financial help and support exist. I moderate a Facebook group for over 6000 family caregivers and this topic comes up frequently. A Place for Mom’s expert advisors play a pivotal role in helping families understand and access these benefits, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which can significantly offset the cost of senior care. Navigating the VA’s benefits system can be very complex, but with knowledgeable guidance, many families secure the support their loved ones deserve.
Knowing When It’s Time for Senior Living
Whether families require immediate care solutions or are in the early stages of their search, A Place for Mom operates at their pace. Moreover, as I mentioned, there is no cost to the families for this service, because they are paid by the senior living communities in their network.
Deciding when it’s time for a change in your loved one’s living arrangements is a deeply personal and emotional decision, yet there are common indicators that it may be time to consider this option. These signs include a noticeable decline in home and personal upkeep, unpaid bills, expired or lack of food in the home, increased isolation, difficulty managing daily activities, and safety concerns. A Place for Mom’s resources and advisors can help families recognize these signs and make informed decisions about transitioning to a senior living situation.
Leveraging A Place for Mom’s Resources
The resources available on A Place for Mom’s website extend far beyond matching services. Caregivers can access comprehensive guides on different senior living options, read reviews of communities, and learn about the costs associated with various types of care. Additionally, their “Best of Senior Living” awards highlight top-performing facilities across the country, providing families with trusted options for their loved ones’ care.
In conclusion, caregiving is a role that demands much, both emotionally and physically. Yet, with resources like A Place for Mom, caregivers don’t have to navigate this journey alone. From understanding the differences between assisted living and memory care, accessing veteran benefits, to knowing when it’s time for senior living, A Place for Mom offers a guiding hand every step of the way. Caregivers can find solace, support, and invaluable information by visiting A Place for Mom or calling (866) 508-9728 , ensuring they’re equipped to make the best decisions for their aging parents.
I wish I had known about A Place for Mom when I was caregiving! If you have any questions, be sure to leave a comment below and know you’re not alone on this caregiving journey.
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