What Others Say
What
Clients and Health Care Professionals say
"I
felt truly "touched by an angel" when I called About
Elder Care. You gave me the feeling that my situation with
my mohter had priority and you couldn't have responded better,
faster or more caring than you did. Thanks to you, I made
the right decision."
"I convinced myself that no facility available
would accept my mother until the discharge planner introduced
me to About Elder Care. I am pleased to report that they helped
me find a care home that accommodated all of mom's needs and
she is very happy. I am pleased to recommend their services
to anyone!"
"After my mother suffered a stroke, I was
unable to care for her. Then like an answer to a prayer, About
Elder Care was there to help us. You helped us find a loving
and reputable board and care home for her. Please keep helping
those who are in need and unable to help themselves."
"About Elder Care was so well organized,
prompt, caring, capable and knowledgeable... Because of you
assistance in finding a facility, what could have been a sad
time, became, for Daddy and me, a grand adventure!"
Newpaper Articles The Sacramento Bee, Sunday December 5, 1999/ NEIGHBORS Perspective - 'Aging of America' causes more long-term care needs for the elderly In the Sacramento area and across America, an unprecedented parent-child role reversal is taking place for millions of families.The
impetus for this transition in family relationships is a familiar
subject for magazine cover stories and health practitioners
a trend described as "the aging of America."
Improved medical care and better living and eating habits have resulted in longer life for many United States citizens, but also have presented new lifestyle challenges for a growing
population of older Americans and their adult sons and daughters. More than 4.6 million Californians, for example, are at least 60 years old. In Sacramento and the surrounding counties, nearly 280,000
residents have celebrated their 60th birthday. Twenty-five years ago, there were only 10 million Americans over the age of 75. By 2000, forecasters predict that this number will surge to 17 million
75-year-olds. The over-85 age group is growing even faster, experts say, and will expand 40 percent by 2000. People in the baby boomer generation are discovering for the first time the realities of care
needs for aging parents. Some seniors need assistance to shoulder the job of maintaining a house or apartment, or even carry on simple daily tasks such as cooking, bathing, dressing, shopping and taking
medications. In Sacramento and nearby communities, increasing numbers of offspring of aging parents are suddenly confronted with a problem they are ill prepared to solve finding help or anew living
environment for loved ones who do not need nursing home care, but do require assistance in everyday living. A viable solution for many families is provided by a residential care facility for the elderly,
often described as a board-and-care home or an assisted-living facility. These facilities are licensed by the California Department of Social Services and provide 24-hour supervision and assistance. In the Sacramento area, there are more than -500 such facilities in a variety of neighborhoods, housing from two to more than 300 residents living under one roof and sharing meals, entertainment
and social activities. For most people, the job of locating and choosing an affordable and responsible facility is a daunting one. There are some key questions caregivers need to ask throughout
this process, which can be a difficult and emotional experience for many:
- How does an individual or caregiver begin the search for a residence?
Caregivers should contact local elder-care consultants, social service organizations, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals,
physicians or other medical professionals.
- Who needs elder-care services? An elderly individual who cannot safely live alone, take care of food preparation, personal hygiene, shopping or jobs such as paying bills needs such services, as does
someone who reaches a point where he or she has severe dementia.
- What different kinds of facilities are available in Sacramento and nearby communities?
There are larger facilities, often referred to as assisted-living residences, that house 10 to more than 300
people, and there are smaller housing units, sometimes called board-and-care homes, that care for two to six seniors.
- Do any residential-care facilities specialize in caring for elders with Alzheimer's?
Some do. Many employ staff members with training and experience in supervising and caring for seniors who are
impaired by dementia.
- What services do residential care facilities for the elderly provide?
They should provide 24-hour supervision, three meals a day plus snacks, special diets for diabetics, assistance with
administering medications, laundry and housekeeping service and help with bathing, grooming and dressing. Some facilities assist elders with bladder and bowel incontinency and others who need close
supervision when walking or transferring to and from a wheelchair.
- Do facilities accept people who use walkers or wheelchairs?
Accredited residences must he licensed for non-ambulatory individuals if they accept people who need the support of wheelchairs.
Residents with walkers who cannot vacate the facility in a timely manner without assistance and those with severe dementia are considered nonambulatory.
- What is the range of costs care?
About $750 to $3,000 per month depending on the facility and amount of care required. Alzheimer's care facilities will cost from about $1,500 per month
to $4,000 or more.
- Does medical insurance co the cost of services?
No, but long-term care insurance policies with a home-care or facility-care provision or rider may pay for residential care.
- Does Medical or Medicare I for care?
No, because residential care facilities for the elderly are not health-care facilities. However, Medicare does pay for certain home-health medical services
provided by medical professionals to residents. These services usually must be approved by the resident's physician.
- How do you evaluate facilities?
Prepare a list of questions schedule a tour of each facility. Interview the owner or administrator and observe residents to see if they look content.
Note the cost, location and cleanliness of the residence.
Does it look secure? What is the quality of the food'? What activities are offered'? What is the staff's experience? Does the
staff speak English? Ask your elder-care professional for a questionnaire as a guide for your visit.
- What are the signs that a residence is being managed in a responsible and reliable manner?
A residence should he clean, with nice furniture and surroundings, landscaping and an outdoor area for
residents. Residents should look happy, healthy, clean and well-groomed.
- What are the signs that management is not providing needed services?
Danger signs would be an unkempt, dirty facility accompanied by bad odors. Residents who look depressed, who are frail, have
poor personal hygiene and are loudly complaining also may not he supervised properly. Residents who refuse to eat or take medication also may not be receiving the specialized care they need.
The key to finding the best facility is to discuss your
loved one's needs with a knowledgeable eldercare professional,
follow a checklist when you visit and inspect a facility
and ask for and demand answers from administrators to the
questions listed here.
-Jerry Schreck is president of Elder Care Referral Services in Sacramento. His firm .specializes in providing free
counseling and elder-care facility placement .services to families in Sacramento and surrounding counties.  "Jerry Schreck saw a need and filled it!"
-Senior Magazine
" Senior
Spotlight", a profile of an outstanding person whose contributions
make the community a better place to live.
"Consultant helps families sort through maze of residential choices"
-The Sacramento Bee 
To Top About Elder Care
(division of Elder Care Referral Services, Inc.)
3800 Auburn Blvd., Suite C
Sacramento, California 95821
Telephone: (916) 489-8779
Auburn: (530) 889-0303
Placerville (530) 626-5900
Fax: (916) 489-0191
E-Mail: info@eldercareservices.com
URL: www.eldercareservices.com
Copyright 97,98,99,00,01,2002 Elder Care Referral Services, Inc., All rights reserved |
