As people age, oftentimes their care needs tend to increase. The journey to receiving senior care can be confusing and complex. Whether you’re a family or a community partner visiting our page today, you’ll see the dedication and work we put into helping seniors and their families ease the complexities at every stage of their journey. We want to make sure our families find the right fit in a community or home care option and receive the care they need and deserve.
Oftentimes the beginning of the journey to senior care happens once the realization that increased care needs are warranted for a loved one. However, there are many overwhelming questions you find yourself asking like where do I start to research, what do I research, what is the difference between different care types?, etc. Don’t worry, we are here to help you or a loved one get started and guide you through each step with the help of our team of advisors and Financial Concierges®.
Stage 1: The Need for Care is Realized
The realization that care is needed is often the first step in a family’s journey to senior care. Whether an event happened like a fall or a loved one is simply getting older and needs help with daily activities, there comes a time when a family realizes that their loved one has increased care needs.
Questions You Find Yourself Asking:
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- Did Mom or Dad fall in their house again? Is it time for senior care?
- Are you worried about Aunt Mary taking her medications at the right time?
- Are you stressed that mom is getting lonely in her home and thinking about whether keeping her there or moving to a community would be best?
- What if I don’t live by my loved one when I realize they need more care?
Where Do I Start?
FamilyAssets.com is a research tool that provides education, senior resources, and community listings to help you have a place to start once you realize that care is needed.
Here are some articles to help get you started:
Find more articles at FamilyAssets.com!
Stage 2: Researching Senior Care
Once the realization that care is needed, the next step in the journey to senior care frequently starts with research. There are so many types of senior care and communities that it can be overwhelming. So, researching can help understand what type of care is needed and what communities offer this care to find the right fit.
Questions You Find Yourself Asking
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- What types of senior living communities are there?
- What type of care does mom need?
- If Mom or Dad has dementia, what is the right community for them?
- What is home care vs senior living?
Where Do I Begin my Research?
Oasis Senior Advisors and Care Changes can help you find the best senior living options that are right for you or a loved one.
Here are some articles to help you get started in understanding the different care options available:
Stage 3: Community In-Person Tours
Once you understand what type of care and community would be a good fit, the next step is to tour communities in person. Each community differs in what they offer from care, social efforts, dining accommodations, and more. It’s important to know what questions to ask while touring these facilities so you can find the right community for you or a loved one.
Questions You Find Yourself Asking
- What should I look for in a community?
- What questions do I ask when I’m touring a community?
- Who should I be meeting with when I’m touring a community?
How Do I Begin To Understand The Differences Between Communities?
Our team of national and local compassionate and knowledgeable advisors are available and completely complimentary to speak with. They will assess the health and financial situation and recommend the community and care that will be the right fit for you or a loved one.
Here is an article on what to look for in an assisted living community and a video on questions to ask and who you should be meeting with on in-person tours to help get you started:
Stage 4: Financial Planning – How Am I Going to Pay For Care?
Oftentimes the costs of senior care can be a shock, no matter the type of unique care needs you or a loved one needs. However, there are many funding options available that can help pay for the costs that coincide with increased care needs.
Questions You Find Yourself Asking:
- How is mom or dad going to pay for the care that they need?
- Can Aunt Mary use the assets she has available to help pay for care?
- Do I have any benefits available to me as a Veteran or spouse of a Veteran?
How Do I Start To Understand How To Pay for Care?
ElderLife Financial and our team of Financial Concierges® work with you, at no cost, to understand your unique situation, walk you through all the funding options available, and create a customized plan to pay for the care you need.
Here are some articles to help you understand what funding options are available to pay for care:
Find more articles at ElderLifeFinancial.com!
Stage 5: Receiving Care at a Senior Living Community or In-Home Care
After you or your loved one has moved into a senior living community or is starting to receive in-home care, there are often ongoing thoughts and questions that come up emotionally and financially.
Questions You Find Yourself Asking:
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- Did I make the right choice?
- How do I know Mom or Dad is happy?
- Are there tax deductions for senior care?
Here are some articles to help you even after you or a loved one receives the care they need:
The SilverAssist team is dedicated to the mission of simplifying the family’s journey to senior care.
Learn more by exploring our website and suite of services at SilverAssist.com/services.