If you have come to the conclusion that you can no longer take care of a senior loved one with Alzheimer's disease alone, it is well worth it to reach out to a placement service that specializes in finding living facilities for these unique patients. Here are the four levels of service you will likely receive.
Expect help with understanding and coping with a loved one's Alzheimer's diagnosis.
First and foremost, placement services are helping you find logical living arrangements for your loved one. However, the trained professionals who end up working as consultants at a placement service for the elderly tend to be compassionate, caring individuals who understand the emotional components of seeking elder care for someone with Alzheimer's. If you have struggled with understanding the diagnosis or need help getting through the emotions of the whole thing, bring up the topic with the assigned placement service professional.
Expect to learn about the different care options that are available.
Alzheimer's patients don't usually go to traditional nursing homes unless they have specific health care concerns. Some of the usual options are:
- memory care communities
- assisted living facilities
- adult care homes
- skilled nursing facilities specifically for Alzheimer's
You will get the opportunity to sit down with a true professional who knows all the variances between these types of places so you can ask questions and learn about the options for your own loved one.
Expect to gain insight into insurance coverage for out-of-home care.
Wading through the financial aspects of finding proper care for an Alzheimer's patient can be daunting and incredibly time-consuming. Pair that with the fact that many families are not certain what they can afford, and it can be all-out intimidating to figure out where a loved one should go. The placement service can help you better understand the financial aspects of finding the right place, and they will give you explanations of what insurance will and will not cover.
Expect to get familiar with the best care options available in your area.
Naturally, the end goal of working with an Alzheimer's living placement service is to find the best place for your loved one to live. However, before you get to that point, the professionals will help you get more familiar with the different options and how they could benefit your loved one. You will learn about the programs available at each place, how residents are kept safe, and more due to the firsthand insight the consultants at these places have to share.
Older adults sometimes see nursing care as an all-or-nothing scenario. They assume they are either at home living independently, or they are in a nursing home where everything is done for them. This is not really the case, however. There are plenty of in-between options for older adults who need some care, but who may not need full nursing assistance yet. Assisted living centers allow this flexibility. Your older loved one can simply have their meals provided for them, or they can have around-the-clock care — or somewhere in-between. We invite you to explore the content provided to learn more.