You were first contacted by the family because dad has become mildly confused living at home. He forgets to take his medication and can’t remember the last time he bathed. After weeks of working with the prospective resident and his family the paperwork is done, a check written and a move-in date set. The move goes well and after a few weeks the new resident is rapidly becoming an important part of the community. Then five or six months after occupancy this new member of the community begins to exhibit signs of increasing confusion and is occasionally confrontational with staff and other residents.
You know that sometime in the coming few weeks you will be forced to move this new resident either into your memory care neighborhood, or to another community that can provide a higher level of care. In order to secure this resident, you spent money on marketing, paid your marketing director a commission and perhaps paid a few thousand dollars to a referral agency. You know those costs along with other costs associated with turnover will be amortized over a too short period of time. Imagine how much better it would be for that resident, his family and your bottom line, if you could gain a few extra weeks or months before moving him to another community.
An Elegant Solution
A few weeks ago I traveled to Arizona to visit with Vigil customers and prospects. I had the opportunity to visit The Stratford an Integral Senior Living managed assisted living community in Phoenix. Stephanie Templeton the creative executive director developed an elegant solution to this problem. She was able to repurpose a first floor break room to create a new program she labeled “Passages”. Passages became in essence a pull-out daycare program within the assisted living community. Those residents who were experiencing a growing level of confusion are offered the opportunity to become a part of Passages where they have a higher level of supervision, activities that are specifically adapted to the needs of memory care residents, and in general a more structured daily routine that is known to improve the quality of life for mildly confused residents, who need structure to their day.
These are the folks that come repeatedly to the front desk asking, “What do I do now?” The program provides five benefits:
1. It allows the participants to stay in their familiar housing setting for a longer period of time.
2. It is less expensive to families than full blown memory care. They charge just enough to cover the cost of the program, with the primary benefit being the increase in length of stay and corresponding reduced turnover.
3. It removes otherwise disruptive residents from the more alert general population.
4. As happens in many communities, there residents who most of the time function quite well with the general community but have episodes of confusion and agitation Passages has provided an effective tool for resettling those residents, often in just a day or two.
5. It provides a feeling of purpose, belonging, and community that provides much-needed security for these individuals. I want to thank Stephanie for allowing me to share this great idea. If you are doing something unique and would allow me to write about it I would help the industry and showcase your community. Steve Moran
Opportunities:
In the past week I have been approached by two entities who have projects where they are looking for equity funding:
1. A planned assisted living/memory care community with entitlements. They are looking for both additional equity and a management partner.
2. The other is an existing assisted living community where they are looking primarily for equity capital, but where there is no management opportunity.
If you have an interest please send me an e-mail at [email protected]
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Finally: If you know anyone who is looking at emergency call systems I would appreciate the opportunity to talk with them about Vigil Health Solutions.
Interesting article. I have long thought that there should be another level of care that doesn’t exist in Massachusetts – I call it the “gray zone” where those who have some dementia can stay in their residence and not go to an Alzheimers care unit function better. Unfortunately it seems that this is not happening in our state and the Assisted Living residences ( I hate using the word ” facilities” ..very disrespectful) seem to be collecting top dollar and not providing services. It looks like an exploitation of seniors so that the investors as much money as possible. Too bad there is little consciousness about the impact of getting rich on the backs of the elderly. Your thoughts?
Thanks for your article – it looks like AZ gets it.
That is a very interesting idea – and a good one, I think, for both residents and providers.
Nice article. It seems like this idea allows seniors to live a better quality of life for longer and anything that does that is good!
The Arbors at Stoughton MA has started a similar program called connections. It is a program that provides the resident’s with extra assistance and activites so they can remain on the traditional unit much longer. It provides the residents the extra support they need to make the connections to continue to live independently. Your welcome to come and see the program, we are very proud of the program.
From LinkedIn Groups
I too think that was a good solution for a common problem. Maybe the same can be applied her in Canada.
Posted by John Laverty
There are so many simple ideas that can solve big problems and all it takes is for someone to implement them. Thanks for sharing.
Great article, Steve. Thank you for sharing this with us. I think this could be something that can be implemented at our community.
Marcy, I don’t like the word facility either. It certainly lacks warmth and humanity. I use the word “community” to describe our residence.
Frankly, I find this article disturbing.
You’ve misstated the reality of options available for memory care — residential options NOT institutional options. And, most of these options would likely be “appropriate” and better serve the needs of the resident.
And, the conversation is supposed to be about what is BEST for the resident, not your business. If you admitted a person and it doesn’t work out — oh well, guess you should have done a better job at screening. It should be YOUR loss, not the residents.
Articles like this are what give power-hungry bureaucrats fodder for their ever-expanding encroachment into the lives of those trying to help in the first place.
And let finish with: your question, “Are you looking for a way to hold on to your residents for a few more months as their cognitive abilities fade?” makes me sick to my stomach.
I had an opportunity to visit a retirement community (hopefully it wasn’t yours) to move a little lady to a MORE APPROPRIATE care setting. She had Alzheimers and didn’t know there was a string on the wall of her apartment to pull for help — or what her name was, where she was, etc. She had lived in this setting for a year. I talked to the staff to try and get some idea of the inhumanity of it all and how they all tolerated this situation. The lady’s apartment was were they “kept her except for when we brought her out for supervised activities and meals.” Because, you know, keeping a prisoner is OK when you provide supervision.
Seriously? People!
John:
I don’t quite know how to respond to your comment except to say that at The Stradford it is anything but “keeping a prisoner”. This allows these residents to stay in a familiar setting with loving caring staff. The decision to allow residents to stay longer is not made by the community alone, but in concert with the family, looking at the best interest of the resident.
You don’t disclose what your bias is as an alternative for residents with dementia, but not everyone has the resources to stay at home or move into a full blown memory care community.Rather than just taking shots at this community, how about sharing your ideas for what would make for a better choice.
Finally you treat this as a money grubbing effort, but in truth, programs like this serve to make senior housing more affordable.
1. Because the resident stays longer it reduces the cost per resident day.
2. The community in this case, only charges enough to cover the cost of providing the additional care.
3. If communities do not make a profit they would not stay in business.
Thanks for contributing to the discussion.
Steve
I found the article disturbing, too. We all know dementia-related transitions make care planning a challenge, but the main point of the article seemed to be how to squeeze the last dime out of residents before having to ship them to someone else. A very dehumanized approach, I think.
I think this is a very humane and caring solution, and addresses the resident’s growing confusion calmly and with respect. There are several senior communities in southern Maine that offer transitional dementia day programs like this, both for community residents and people from the wider community. These programs keep folks engaged and interested, allow for appropriate monitoring and observation, and help maintain safety. And they’re a terrific relief for the adult children who want mom or dad to be active, engaged and supported. The longer we can help people stay in the least restrictive environment the better. Good job, Stratford!
These are all passionate responses to what seems to be an example of creating a plan of care that would best serve the needs of the resident. If the resident and their family wish for the resident to remain in their “home” as long as they can then anything that the staff can do to accommodate their wishes is a job well done.
These are all passionate responses to what seems to be an example of creating a plan of care that would best serve the needs of the resident. If the resident and their family wish for the resident to remain in their “home” as long as they can then anything that the staff can do to accommodate their wishes is a job well done.
John, I’m sorry that you only see a negative side of this from Steve and the others. I am sure that there have been times that you could not possibly have known how rapid a resident’s health issue would progress. Not to mention the fact, that there are cases where the family can even prep a potential resident to “qualify” for residency even though they know much more than we will know, until of course they have been admitted. Not often, but not unusual.
These responses have been quite humane, all in an effort to help manage a situation in a healthy and compassionate way for as long as it is in the best interest of a resident. I would like to know what you would do in these situations? I would like to believe that at the first sign you don’t give the resident a 30-day notice. What do you do?
With all due respect Victoria, you didn’t write the blog post, so this isn’t about your compassion or humane approach.
The blogger focused his perspective on the money: “In order to secure this resident, you spent money on marketing, paid your marketing director a commission and perhaps paid a few thousand dollars to a referral agency. You know those costs along with other costs associated with turnover will be amortized over a too short period of time.”
This quote, plus the leading question from the site which brought me to the article: “Are you looking for a way to hold on to your residents for a few more months as their cognitive abilities fade?” has everything to do with choosing the money over the resident.
This article’s author clearly, unapologetically hung his hat on the profit over the person.
I’m sorry, and even more troubled, that you couldn’t see the simplicity of my response.
John, when I look back at the article, I can see how one could possibly see this only focused on money. When I read these articles, I usually read with certain people in mind. For this article, I thought of Ms. X, a 71 year old who could benefit from something like this.
An unfortunate and challenging part of our jobs is that the cost of care and the care it self can be a dichotomy that requires us, as professionals, to bring symbiosis to. Symbiosis through creative methods for retaining residents while at the same time providing them with the quality care that will improve their lives. It is impossible to speak of care without speaking of the cost of that care. Reality dictates that part of that discussion is admission, retention and vacancy and the cost of each. For me, reading with solutions for residents in mind, is the only way that I will approach these articles.
With all respect Victoria, you’ve said a lot that isn’t related to the focus of the troubling comments.
If you did business in the state (where me, my care business and LTC coaching business are), and IF you uttered Steve’s words out loud: “Are you looking for a way to hold on to your residents for a few more months as their cognitive abilities fade?” then I would personally visit the regulatory offices here, on your behalf.
I do not like regulators. Period. However, there are folks on the loose who give fodder to regulators, to create more burdensome legislation, because of the things done or said just like the comment, “Are you looking for a way to hold on to your residents for a few more months as their cognitive abilities fade?”
I am sorry the words, “Are you looking for a way to hold on to your residents for a few more months as their cognitive abilities fade?” don’t trouble you.
Let’s put this question on the front page of any local newspaper and see if the light of day clears things up.
Steve…I can’t speak for John or his comments but your opening question in the heading of your post: “Are you looking for a way to hold on to your residents for a few more months as their cognitive abilities fade?” Certainly got my attention as well. And not in a good way. If residents’ abilities are failing, a day program, which sounds wonderful, may not be enough to keep this resident feeling safe and secure when he is returned to his AL apartment and as noted above, does not any longer know how to call for help or remember where the dining room is. Also, it is well known that someone with mild memory loss generally takes quite a slide when transferred to a new environment…the AL.. so its very important to get as good an assessment as possible prior to accepting a new resident. I believe that would be smart financial reasonings. However, for many communities, the sense of urgency to fill the building will take front seat to the needs of the potential move-in.
From LinkedIn Groups
Imagine if we could some how engage people in their own homes before they make that jump to a assisted living. Passage is a great program. Confusion in all setting occur behind closed doors – It takes families-caregivers-facilities to engage with people to create socialization. To often, we take a family member to the doctor and look for a pill to sovle confusion issues, when all is needed is social engagement.
Posted by Robin Sanders
From LinkedIn Groups
Several years ago, I worked with a community whose ED implemented this type of program. The charge covered the cost of the caregiver, and the program was fabulous and very targeted. I loved the concept.
Posted by Kellie Gundling
From LinkedIn Groups
Perhaps I’m naive but if the elderly parent was exhibiting symptoms of dementia (or had a diagnosis of mild Alzheimer’s disease) when first going to a community to live, why wasn’t the parent taken to a place that is designed for that from the beginning? I just had to transfer my father from a nursing home to a Veteran’s center with a secure Alzheimer’s unit. The move was confusing and upsetting to him. Proper placement from the beginning would have been more appropriate. Are you saying that this scenario is inevitable? It seems to me that it should be circumvented if possible.
Posted by Regina G. Ford
From LinkedIn Groups
Hello, can you tell me about the Passage program? I am involved in Independent Living Services in Putnam County, NY and deal with many geriatric residents living in and out of facilities. Thank you!
Posted by Laurie Biederman
Lynda
I appreciate your thoughts and I agree that minimizing the number of placements is important and each individual is unique. The struggle is that families what their loved ones to be as independent as possible. In many cases to take someone who is forgetful about medication, bathing and eating a put them in a memory care community would be overkill in an effort to minimize moves.
I have heard many stories from care givers of individuals who were struggling with these issues, moving into a community, where they receive regular care that end up being less confused and living comfortably for many months.
Do communities sometimes make mistakes no doubt it happens, sometimes because of greed and sometimes because it is impossible to predict how an individual will do. I actually think that for the most part that communities try to be smart about this. If they move someone in who is not appropriate it comes at a high net cost and so most communities I know try to do their very best in doing the right thing for the prospective resident.
Steve
John you have been very critical here and I honestly appreciate contrary comments as much as supportive comments. I would like to ask a couple of questions specifically to you.
1. Since you see this program as being nothing but a grab for money, what alternative do you propose?
2. Do you think it is wrong for senior housing communities for make a profit?
3. Do you see any logic in the idea that by extending the average length of stay it improves the quality of life for that resident and that by reducing the costs associated with resident turn-over it makes senior housing more affordable?
Steve Moran
Steve: You’re misquoting me. I said YOUR hook to get me to your page, and the quote I keep highlighting — are disturbing. The issue is not whether the LTC setting you highlighted is “elegant” — it certainly is based on pictures of the website. But you see, now we’re talking about a LTC company and not the content you wrote — which is the issue.
Attempting to distill my motives or views on other points, or for anyone to say that I’m just negative, reflects the typical responses when anybody points out erroneous thinking to which the hearer is emotionally attached.
For starters, I’m a business owner and a business instructor. Making a profit, tax deductions, risk management, coaching people to successfully chart a new world in LTC — it’s a wonderful life!
No, my motives and understanding of how the world works aren’t in question.
The issue is the nature of your comments — nothing else.
I am still rather confused by what your complaint is. The headline about keeping residents longer in no way implies that it is at the expense of the residents need. If you read the whole article which is only about 600 words, I talk about business benefits, benefits for the residents and benefits for the family.
Headlines are headlines, they are not the whole article and they are for sure designed to get people to continue to read the rest of the article.
Going back and reading your posts, it appears that your bias is home care, but I do not want to put words in your mouth. I have asked before but will try again, what would be your preferred solution.
Thanks for the conversation, sorry you are so angry about it.
Steve Moran
From LinkedIn Groups
There are many centers in the country that have a continuum of care–from senior living to assisted living to a memory care unit and finally, a skilled nursing home. Knowing what I know now, I would have sought out that type of community instead of the small, local nursing home. I’m sure this scenario happens every day but it isn’t optimal and could be avoided.
Posted by Regina G. Ford
From LinkedIn Groups:
Currently there are more than 35 million older adults living in America, which accounts for 12.5 percent of the total population.
With cognitive impairment – technology could make a difference in engaging residents at home. Something simple as a computerless e-mail printer has allowed my Mother & Father-in-law to receive pictures of a wedding as it happened 1000 miles away. We tried to set up a computer and and that was too complicated. They now receive daily emails, Facebook pictures, jokes, crossword puzzle, and no spam. My Mother-in-law feels like she is connected with her grandchildren & friends + church. Socialization made simple.
Many seniors are afraid of TECHNOLOGY – once engaged – they wonder how they can live without it. With the doors closed in on many residents – We can improve their cognitive skill with simple brain fitness games to very high technology. Could it be they are forgetting their medication ? I agree technology is not the answer, but it is a start.
I recently visited a woman that was unable to cook, because she could not read the -labels. She became very withdrawn and had food brought in. Well on her way to assisted living – we showed her a low vision device to read labels – write checks -read her bible. It was $650, she initially resisted, but after seeing how much the next step would cost her – she embraced the new device and continues to live independently.
In the home or ILF- getting the resident to engage is difficult to assess. This is not a cookie cutter industry – saying this device works for everyone. From PERS, medication reminders, wander guards, GPS, fall detection, socialization, to telehealth
It’s hard to know the needs of your loved one.
Educate- Educate – Educate
I have 30 years as a LTC consultant pharmacist and have seen all the reasons for nursing home placement. I am now committed to educate on resources available – being a member of the National Aging in Place Council.
I offer FREE 15-30 minute consultation for families and facilities to solve and keep their loved ones living independently – Nationwide. 952-457-3401
Posted by Robin Sanders
From LinkedIn Groups
Morningside Management, LLC has been running a similar program with some advanced features for over 8 years with great results.
Posted by Jennifer Salvador
From LinkedIn Groups
Ginger – this low vision tool called the Pebble is also used by Occupational Therapist for diabetics to read glucometers – insulin – enable testing. Here is a link to watch a video. http://www.rmmedicalsales.com/Pebble-Low-Vision.html
The video does not show that the contrast can change letters from white to black with white background, black to white with black background, yellow contrast background with blue letters and more. Vision is not only about magnification.
I want to remind everyone the most important thing is the patient’s health, safety and happiness. I understand how Steve’s comment could have been taken as negative and seem to be all about the money. I pray we are all on the same side (the patient’s) and that everyone is just trying to make a positive difference in these situations. I believe in fighting for patient rights and just want everyone in our industry to remember why we are all here …….” to enhance the patient and families quality of life”
All ideas are worth hearing and with God’s help may we find those that can make it a little better each day. I am giving Steve the benefit of doubt this time and hope his heart is in the right place….Let’s make a difference together!!!!
From LinkedIn Groups
I think the Passages concept is a great idea. It is a good segue into what will inevitably be the next transition for the resident. I do not feel Stephanie’s idea was money motivated at all. And you just saw it from a business perspective so voiced it. Smart and clever on both your parts.
Posted by Amy Bair
The article promoted a good idea. However you view the money side, it is what pays our salary. Keeping residents at the lowest level of care for the longest period of time is a win win situation for business and residents alike. Here we engage families to provide (outside source) caregivers to make sure the needs of each resident are being met at all times. It’s a good way to keep residents independent and offers them the help they need. When their needs can no longer be met at their current level of care a move is in order. A decision to move to a higher level of care is made by resident’s doctor, family and Administration guidelines. I find that open communications with residents and their families from the onset helps greatly in times of decline.
There is nothing wrong, or un-ethical working with clients and their family to reduce transitions to a new living environment. Each time we (as professionals) transfer a dementia challenged resident to another facility, residents, staff and family stress level rises considerably~!
This is what “Resident Centered” care was all about~! Let’s work with our staff to better understand our clients needs~! It is great if we make money for this service~! The value to the families and our end consumer is PRICELESS~!
Keep up the Great Job~!
Dr. Brune
From LinkedIn Groups
I think that this was an ingenious idea….win / win for resident & facility !
Posted by RoseMarie Vlacich R.N., B.S.
From LinkedIn Groups
Steve – I believe the article was educational, but there are those that look for negatives in all presentations. Working in medical industry – we all strive for solutions. Cost containment is a serious issue in this time of health care reform.
We must look at all abstracts and make a decision whether this is a viable solution. If it is viable, then is it cost effective with desired outcomes. Outcome based health care reform is the current direction with hospital grading ALF, TCU,LTC, home care, clinics, and physicians. MDS 3.0
Minnesota is the first state to implement mandatory counseling by the state before you enter ILF, ALF, or LTC. This is whether you have money or on Medicaid. The states will show you alternative to care arrangements and a cost analysis. Minnesota expects to save over 50 millions dollars.
This started Oct 2011 and really upset the ASSISTED LIVING INDUSTRY
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/09/18/new-state-mandated-counseling-for-seniors-irks-assisted-living-industry/
EDUCATION is the goal of this group and we all have to make a living, but we must learn from each other. Thanks for the article Steve
Posted by Robin Sanders
From LinkedIn Groups
Steve and John. I am living in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and I know of senior residences here that have a special floor in the larger nursing homes designated especially for this case of older people who’s cognitive problems develop quicker and the families don’t want to go through the process again of replacing their loved one either. On these floors seniors with cognitive problems get more one to four supervision by nurses, recreational activities and treatment on their level in their groups Their meals are also served on the same floor as where their rooms are located on that designated floor so they don’t bother the other residents in the home. It works like a charm and everyone is the winner!
Posted by Carol Tuddenham
From LinkedIn Groups
As both a LNHA and daughter of a Memory Ward patient, I think this is a great idea. It mitigates issues with transition and secures the appropriate amount of oversight and care needed. Sorry if running a successfull business is offensive to some, but without managerial oversight and covering the costs the level of care will suffer for all.
Posted by Lisa Farrens
From LinkedIn Groups
I liked this article and can’t help think staving off the onset of Alzheimers is something everyone needs to be working on. The http://www.TheResidentPortal.com is a web based platform that increases quality of life for residents by helping them exercise their brains daily which is the best way to stave off Alzheimers.
The Resident Portal training program transforms Activity Directors at your communities into certified Senior Living Technology Teachers no matter their current technology experience. Residents stave of dementia, increase their confidence, independence and are more connected to your community and their family. Their families receive a valuable community service and community staff improves levels of service and engagement.
Return on our monthly subscription fee is easily doubled in operational savings. Furthermore, following our Training Program enables marketing personnel to build an endless database of prospective residents as well using the Business section create new revenues greater than the monthly subscription fee.
Posted by Steve Zasio
From LinkedIn Groups
What a great article, Steve, and terrific idea. I often see clients who are living in assisted care and not yet ready for memory care but definitely have some cognitive problems. It is still less expensive then full memory care and allows the client to remain in the enviroment they have become accustom to… I shall pass it along.
Posted by Lois Tager, M. Ed., CSA
Steve – this is a great article and great idea. I have been in the LTC world for over 20 years and I am not at all offended by the article or its title. It is perfectly ok to go into the health care business to make money. If people receive services they should pay for them. And certainly we should monitor costs and make services as cost effective as possible for families and the community. If the Administrator does not have a total focus on both quality of care for residents AND making money, they will quickly be replaced with someone who does. That’s a fact.
Thanks so much for the feedback. My article on Thursday will address the seeming conflict between profits and resident care.
I agree with John and one solution is recommending your prospective residents’ families hire an independent objective professional expert like a local Geriatric Care Manager(GCM) first before making a decision. These professionals assess and make recommendations for care options that assure efficient use of resources AND they assure that the proper care is given to maintain healthy functionality. It should be a “win win” solution for all…the community can spend their marketing dollars elsewhere and the result is less inappropriate move-ins… But why do GCMs (in my experience) receive few referrals from assisted living organizations? Why are they instead coming up with creative sources for additional revenue if this is not “choosing the money over the resident”? Go to http://www.caremanager.org for more information about GCMs if you are not familiar with the profession.
Hi Lisa
You make some great points. But I would be a bit cautious about being to harsh on the communities, there may be a number of reason why they don’t use GCMS. I would love to talk with you about doing an article on Geriatric Care Managers.
Steve Moran
Steve
As my Grandma used to say, “It’s okay to disagree, but don’t be disagreeable”. I would say to John that we certainly all have our opinions of how care should be handled, but there is no need to be offensive when providing that opinion.
As one who has dealt with dementia in our family, the more times we moved my father-in-law, the more stressful it was on him and everyone else. I am quite sure that the folks at Passages do an appropriate assessment before transitioning their patients to this program.
And it’s not too difficult to figure out that if any business is not making a profit, they won’t be in business for long. In order for us to have the communities to care for our loved ones we must understand their need to be profitable.
Thanks Steve for the information you have provided and I look forward to more.
Thanks Kathy, I would agree that in most cases both the care givers and the families are just trying to do the best they can for the resident. Does it always work out as planned or hoped for? Often times not, but it is not because people don’t care.
Steve
From LinkedIn Groups
Thanks for a great article, what a great way to be able to keep the resident in place for a longer period. I also like that it affords the resident dignity in the community that they are at. It is very upsetting for residents and or their families move in for a short term only to have to move them again to another area, lots to think about here again thanks.
Posted by Patti Masters
From LinkedIn Groups
It was a great article. I am reimbursement focused as well as a patient advocate. The resident presented with confusion upon admission, and in my opinion, should have admitted to the memory care neighborhood. That would have prevented the need to move the resident once admitted and already familiar with the environment.
Posted by Veronique Gettis RN, RAC-CT
After further review: The headline is misleading and this is a good idea for both families and facilities. We all recognize a reasonable profit has to me made, but not at the expense of the resident’s needs or best interest. I’m curious to know how administrators would expect profits to follow if the amount of residents with long term care coverage increased to 30% or 40% of the total number of residents instead of the current figure which is less than 10%. Our population needs to be educated on having this coverage in place earlier in our life cycle. It will benefit all.
From LinkedIn Groups
Wow! This certainly has been a controversial article. I would like to add that from my experience as an educator/consultant for the Alzheimer’s Association, for persons with significant cognitive impairment, eliminating change and keeping familiarity is very important. Steve’s suggestion about an in house day program could work very well for residents, maintaining the familiarity of the residence, being able to return to his own room in the evening, and during the day spend time with peers and engage in appropriate activities.. However, sometimes the need is immediate, and bringing in a homemaker/companion service for the resident’s most difficult times, depending on the individual need, could serve until such a program was ready to go and/or until there was enough need to make it workable.
The non-medical home care service that I now work for, Seniors’ Choice at Home, has provided this kind of help in the home and also in independent living and assisted living residences. In one instance, when the wife of a man with Alzheimer’s disease was hospitalized, he left the building in the middle of the night. Staff at the residence believed he had simply gone looking for his dear wife. Our service provided 24 hour assistance and constant reassurance to him about his wife safety, took him to visit her in the hospital, provided companionship and overnight security for him until his wife returned from the hospital. That gave him, his wife and his family peace of mind and relieved the assisted living staff.
Posted by Marilyn Christenson
From LinkedIn Groups
Steve – this is a fantastic and seemingly simple idea – space and manpower are necessary. For those communities that do not have the luxury of space or additional capital for staff – there are other “simple” solutions. I’m sure many of the readers are aware of the benefits of Care Managers and private duty attendants. Though many facilities have been resistant to Care Managers in their facilities over time, one of our primary goals is to ease transitions and assist in continuity of and quality of care. If residents or families are able to private pay, either of these are fantastic alternatives to extend the residence of the patient and partner with facilities to further enhance quality of life and care. The hard part is bringing an individual client or family on board to pay for the services – it is not impossible by any means but does require an additional financial commitment. The cost for this shifts to the individual rather than the facility…. Don’t be afraid of us!
Posted by Lori Lomahan, LCSW
The subject of John’s argument, to me, is journalism.
I applaud Steve for having the courage to speak about what is essentially a product development issue. However, for many readers, it appears his article turned out to be a Rorschach test that a discussion of issues and alternatives.
Virtually every consumer product goods company spends millions and millions figuring out ways to retain their existing customers by tweaking existing products, e.g. Oreos with peanut butter filling or Apple with its iPad line. But somehow, it becomes a big faux pax to talk about customer retention and developing new products or product line extensions when it comes to elderly consumers with cognitive problems.
If you have a moral problem with this, then I suggest you look at what John Hopkins’ range of programs and publications to deal with memory problems and AZ. They have figured out how to make it a profit center.
I own and managed a firm that offers highly customized services to clients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and first state AZ in NW DC. And I am not a social worker.