The new year often brings about big decisions for adult children who have concerns about care for their elderly parents, especially if they live in another city or out of state. In this newsletter, I will share Sheryl Guterman’s story, and how she faced this tough situation.
Sheryl Guterman needed support as she faced the challenge of relocating her elderly parents from Texas to California.
I was contacted by Sheryl Guterman, the daughter of Lewis and Dena Levine. Her parents were living in Harlingen, TX, two plane rides away, and managing their care was getting more difficult every day. Having lived in Texas their entire lives, it was hard to imagine relocating them to California. But, Sheryl, a screenwriter, lived with her husband and children in Los Angeles.
Seeing her parent’s health deteriorate was causing her great distress and frustration. Many family members had moved away and Sheryl was the only one willing to consider relocating them to Southern California. It was a daunting task, and I know that Sheryl was quite anxious about the move and how it would affect her parents.
After several weeks of meeting with Sheryl and looking for the right place within her budget, I found an ideal living situation in Santa Monica, just six minutes from her home. From the moment we walked in the door, we both knew this would be an excellent choice for her parents. She envisioned her father enjoying the garden and her mother appreciating having family nearby. Now, we needed to plan the “big move.”
Whenever I have questions concerning the elderly, I frequently consult with Israela Elkayam, founder of Carmel Residential Care. I asked her about transferring the elderly on airplanes. I knew she had performed this task many times for her board and care homes in the San Fernando Valley. Out of the blue, Israela offered to accompany Sheryl to Texas and help bring her parents from the Rio Grande Valley to Santa Monica. Sheryl could not believe that someone would take the time to help…but, that is exactly what happened. Israela has over 25 years of experience working with the elderly and she knew Sheryl needed help.
I am happy to report that Dena and Lewis Levine are currently living in Santa Monica, where their wonderful daughter visits almost daily. They love the garden and the Santa Monica weather and proximity to local restaurants and barbershops, the interaction with their children and grandchildren and the other residents, and the home’s music and exercise therapy.