When my mother reached her later 70's, it became apparent that she needed some help in the home to help with cleaning.  Then, as the years progressed, she needed help with grocery shopping, driving, and going to the doctor.  I was feeling many emotions, not being close enough to take my parents to the doctors or help them more at home (I took as much time off from work as was allowed).  Guilt and anguish were only two of the emotions I dealt with at the time.  A year after my father passed away, my mother had a bad fall in her home.  I realized that she could not live alone, so far from family members in the same metro area.  I helped my mother to find an apartment she liked and that had activities available.  The tasks required for moving and selling her house was daunting for me and very hard on my mother.  Mom did adjust to her new apartment and she made some good friends.  She was even closer to other family members.  Three years into her living independently in an apartment, my mother became ill and had a series of hospital stays.  It became evident that she needed full-time in-home services, assisted living, or she needed to consider moving in together with my husband and I.  After touring assisted living, we were advised that it may not be long before my mother would need skilled nursing as her needs were becoming more than assisted living could provide. 

All of these activities, including her move for the second time in three years, was exhausting.  While more than willing to help, I still had a job and other responsibilities.  I remember feeling alone as there wasn't anyone else to really help me.  My sister, my only sibling, had passed away six years earlier.  I didn't know where to run first.

In the years that followed we faced the same situations with my in-laws.  My father-in-law needed to move into skilled nursing care after he lost the ability to walk on his own and had other health issues.  My father-in-law passed away and my mother-in-law lived alone for a year.  But being in her late 80's, it soon became apparent that she could no longer live alone.  The search for the right answer began again.

There are many different stories out there; those who live in another city or state from their parents or family member that needs help and they do not know where to turn.  A spouse is seeking the best answer for their husband or wife and does not know where to turn.  They don't know where to begin.

That is why Transition & Advocacy Services, LLC was established.  Years of personal experience, along with a Social Work degree and experience, has given us the insight needed to help you and your family member at this very difficult time.  What makes our services different from other services similar to what we provide?  For starters, Social Workers have the education needed to assist you in a way that others do not.  Caring and compassionate care with an unbiased view, enable us to hear what you and your family member is saying.  This education ensures that you receive the most ethical services available.  In addition, by choice, our services are monitored on a regular basis by an outside LMSW professional.  This step ensures that the services we provide are the best services available.  Not receiving any "finders or enrollment fee" from any particular senior progressive living facility/residence, ensures that all of the options are offered are in the best interest of the client, not where the senior consultant or advisor are going to receive a payment for their client signing a lease.  I don't know about you, but that is the type of service we would want for our mother or father.

 

Next month:  What makes a decision right for me or my parent?