How an Elder Specialist Can Help Seniors Evaluate Their Options

When it becomes apparent that a change in day to day living arrangements must be made, how do you approach the problem?

There are many choices:

• Assisted living facilities
• Nursing homes
• Care at home by family
• Caregivers provided by agencies
• A combination of family and caregivers at home

With so many choices, and so much at stake, many families struggle with the decision.

However, the task can be made easier by employing a specialist such as a social worker that specializes in geriatric care management to help you decide what is best. Hiring an Elder Specialist has several benefits.

• They Are Neutral – As a third party, you’ll know that their assessment won’t be skewed toward a particular solution. (i.e. No kickbacks from a nursing home for new admissions)
• They Know The Senior Community – From senior centers, nursing homes, assisted living communities, meal delivery programs – they are in touch with all resources available to seniors, so you’ll have a wider range of choices to create a plan that suits your loved one.
• They Can Evaluate Cost – They can create a cost analysis, comparing different options. Plus, they know the criteria for accessing various funding options. They can help you apply quickly and efficiently to get the plan underway.
• They Have Training in Aging Related Issues – Most importantly, an Elder Specialist can help you spot things that you may have overlooked related to memory loss or physical impairments. They make their recommendations based on best practices for senior safety.

The guidance of an Elder Specialist can give your family peace of mind that you’ve considered all the options and designed a plan that really works for your senior loved one. The best place to start is with your local Area Agency on Aging. They can advise on how to find an Elder Specialist.