Helping You Help the Ones You Love

Article submitted by Jennifer Pickett, Director of Marketing for Life Services Network.
For more information, she can be reached at 630-325-3170 or or by e-mail at jpickett@lsni.org.

Many adults today will spend more time caring for their aging parents than they spend caring for their growing children. That's why Life Services Network, the not-for-profit affiliate of American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AASHA), and the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) has created a free helpful guide for caregivers and seniors.

The booklet entitled, Parent Care Solutions, gives tips about what to watch for to assure that older adults are healthy, happy, and safe. This program is designed to help seniors and their families navigate the complex and confusing system of care providers.

Parent Care Solutions booklet clarifies the differences in the types of housing and home care options available, long term care insurance, the features and benefits of various payment sources and much more. Expert referrals, knowledgeable answers to Medicare and financial questions and long-term support during the decision-making process are also candidly discussed.

Parent Care Solutions Director, Mary Kay Buysee comments about long-term care insurance, "Long-term care insurance is increasingly popular among both long-term care providers and older adults. L-T-C insurance offers valuable choices by responding to an older person's health care need while it protects his or her financial assets."

On the subject of determining whether a retirement community is right for you and which one will best suit your needs and interests, Ms. Buysee shares a thing or two that make decisions easier for seniors and their families. Here are just a few tips LSN offers in their free booklet about how to determine if a retirement community is the appropriate choice.

• Plan ahead! Don't wait for a crisis to happen. Make a rational decision instead of an emotional one.
• Be realistic about finances. Determine the sources of income and the expected expenses. Know what options are affordable for your family. Find out what services, if any, are covered by your insurance.
• Consider the individual's health - and that of the spouse or companion.
• Choose the option or options that will best meet current and anticipated needs.
• If the decision involves a move from the current setting, consider the importance of family, friends, and familiar surroundings when you or your loved one relocates.
• Compare the advantages of one option versus another. Once you have determined which option is best, then evaluate several providers before choosing one.

When anyone is faced with a major change in his or her life, a need for new equilibrium accompanies it. Making a move can be difficult, especially later in life. After all, home is truly where the heart is and it's important to feel comfortable with how and where one is living. Buysee confides, "Be patient with yourself if you are exploring options and if your older relative is considering alternatives, be mindful of the emotional strain a change can cause. We encourage everyone to give the new arrangement time to become comfortable."

Professionals with the Parent Care Solution program are able to identify what signs or behaviors might signal changes in seniors' physical, mental, or emotional condition. While certain symptoms are no cause for concern, others may require a closer look. Through the LSN Parent Care Solution program, concerned family members can also find both local and nationwide resources.

To receive your free booklet, call Life Care Services at 630-789-8585 or visit our website at www.parentcaresolutions.ws.