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APPENDIX
B
Living
Arrangements
Practical
Assessments
Practical
Suggestions
-
Caring
From a Distance
-
Tips
for Long Distance Caregiving
-
Geriatric
Care Management
-
Home
Health Care
-
Choosing
the Right Care Broker
-
Other
Caregiver Resources
PDF
Format
Living
Arrangements and Housing Options
Maintaining the highest
level of independence is the goal for all older adults. The level of
independence will depend on health and financial resources but must also
include the choice and preference of your aging family member!
The physician and health
care providers will play a key role in helping to determine the level of
independence that your loved one needs. For some older adults, the
final decision to move from their own home comes when a physician says
living alone is not in the best interest or safe for the older adult.
Decision Making about Living Arrangements
- Is the older adult’s preference being
considered? Are these preferences possible?
- What does the physician recommend?
- Can the older adult live at home safely?
- Can another family member move in with the
person?
- Can a non-family member move in with the person?
- Will the older person and/or family caregiver pay
for someone to live with the aging family member?
- Will home health care be needed?
- Will Meals on Wheels or some other service be
necessary for meals?
- What role will family members play? Who
will do what to help maintain the home?
- Who will clean the home?
- What other services or assistance will be
necessary?
- On what basis will the older person and family
members decide whether living in the home is still an option?
- What other plans can be made to prepare for a
move to as assisted living or nursing homes?
Options
may be available to help maintain independence. Local city and county
governments and the Area Agencies on Aging may provide help with services.
Family caregivers will need to contact individual community resources.
Start by first contacting
Area Agencies on Aging and the local Information & Referral lines of
United Way
in your community. Check the local phone books or call a
United Way
agency to find other phone numbers. Other sources of information are
health care providers and hospital social workers who know about resources
through patients, caregivers, and/or work in the local community.
Services
that may be available include
- Home
repair, rehabilitation and modification.
- Winterization
and fuel bill assistance.
- Rent
subsidies.
- Property
tax reductions, deferrals, and exemptions.
- In-home
and community-based services
Geriatric Care Managers
may be available in some communities through the local Area Agencies on
Aging to help family members evaluate the options and make informed
decisions. Working with a
Geriatric Care Manager will not only save time for the caregiver but will
provide access to all appropriate services.
When Home is No Longer an
Option
When chronic health
problems prevent the older adult from being able to safely live at home
and manage the complex responsibilities of maintaining a home, the older
person and family members often have difficult decisions to make.
-
Discuss
the situation with the care receiver.
-
Plan
with, and not for, the care receiver.
-
Evaluate
current living arrangements.
-
Consider
individual assets, needs and interests.
-
Make
a decision on a trial basis.
-
Re-evaluate
the situation.
-
Makes
changes as necessary.
When Decisions Have to
Be Made Without The Care Receiver
-
Be
realistic.
-
Thoroughly
evaluate the situation.
-
Get
professional medical advice regarding health and mental condition and
capacity.
-
Consider
your needs and those of your family.
-
Make
a decision on a trial basis.
-
Re-evaluate
the situation.
-
Make
changes as necessary.
-
Continue
to involve the care receiver as much as possible.
Assess the Options for
Long Term care
-
What
is the care receiver's preference?
-
Does
the person's health and well-being match their preference?
-
Can
the person move in with other family members?
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What
will the impact of this arrangement be on other family members?
-
Can
the person move in and share a home with another person?
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