Few decisions are more difficult than the one to place a spouse or parent in a nursing home. Most families try to care for a loved one at home for as long as possible, only accepting the inevitable when no other alternative is available.
The placement decision can be less difficult if, to the extent possible, all family members are included in the process, including the senior, if he or she is able to participate.
I recommend the following steps as you begin this process.
- Try to have a family meeting, either with the family alone or with medical and social work staff. If you cannot meet in person, use the telephone or e-mail.
- Research all options. Look at-home care, daycare, respite care, assisted living and skilled nursing.
- Consider using an Elder Law attorney and a geriatric care manager to help with placement and cost decisions. Try using a senior placement service such as Assisted Living Made Simple in Florida– they know how to “match” the senior with the care facility.
These steps won’t make the decision easy, but they can help make it less difficult.
Call the Law Offices of Debra G. Simms at 386.256.4882 to learn more.
This blog post is not case-specific and is provided only for educational purposes and is not intended to provide specific legal advice. Blog topics may or may not be updated and entries may be out-of-date at the time you view them.
