SOUL SEARCHING

Work with Sandra Heller to make this project go as smooth as possible. To get started, here are questions to ask yourself:

• What is the main reason you feel your loved one should move to senior living?
• Are you facing the need for 24/7 care in the home?
• Does your loved one get agitated, fearful, cry, have emotional outbursts?
• Is the loved one willing to move? Have you had the conversation?
• Have you experienced a tipping point? A fall, a trip to the ER?
• Are you afraid to tell your parents what should be done?
• Are you concerned about your parents’ diet, or lack thereof?
• Is money an issue?
• Do you worry about moving your senior away from friends or a social circle?
• Do they watch an inordinate amount of television?
• Do they pass up opportunities to venture out of their home, due to confusion or fear?
• Is your loved one in the wrong senior living environment and you want to find someplace new?

 What are YOUR own NEEDS?

• Which geographic boundaries to consider?
• Does your loved one have Long Term Care (LTC) insurance?  Do you have a copy of the policy and do you have permission to start a claim on their behalf?
• Does the senior have a pet?
• What daily prescriptions does your love one take?  Make a list.
• Dietary needs – kosher, vegetarian, diabetic, weight loss or weight gain?
• Is incontinence an issue?
• Is your loved one wheelchair bound, or use a walker?
• Dementia, Alzheimer’s?
• Will his/her doctors make house calls or is a family member nearby to take to appointments?
• Are religious services important – Shabbat on the premises, Catholic Church nearby?
• Does he or she have friends already in care communities you may want to consider?
• Has your loved one had a Tuberculosis (TB) test within past 30 days of the move date?

Now that you’ve done this homework, you are better prepared to vet facilities and make decisions. Or you may need an expert to help, so please do not hesitate to contact Sandra anytime, 818-687-8885 ~ [email protected].