Time for a Change? Tips When Considering Home and Community Living Options: Five Essential Tips / Alzheimer's and Other Dementias
The Caregiver's JourneyShow Notes
As caregivers for our loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, we often face the challenging question: "Is it time to change my care receiver's living situation?" We are Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan, and through our experiences, we've developed five essential tips to help you navigate this complex decision-making process.
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Full Show Notes
Takeaways
1. Understand Your Financial Resources
This foundational step requires a thorough assessment of both current and future financial resources.
Professional Resources to Consult:
- Financial advisors (especially those specializing in senior care)
- Elder care attorneys
- Government program specialists
Income Sources to Consider:
- Care receiver's savings
- Pensions
- Long-term care insurance
- Public health insurance (Medicaid in the US)
- Social Security disability benefits
- Family contributions
Expenses to Evaluate:
- Home modifications
- Safety adjustments
- In-home caregiving costs
- Day program fees
- Potential lost income if reducing work hours
- Care community costs
2. Research Care Options
There are three main categories of care options to evaluate:
Non-Residential Options:
- Respite programs
- Memory cafes
- Day programs
In-Home Options:
- Professional caregiving services
- Government programs (VA benefits, Medicare services)
- Family caregiver arrangements
Care Communities:
- Memory care specific facilities
- Communities with memory care units
- Different care models and staffing levels
- Waiting list considerations
3. Assess Home Safety
This evaluation should include multiple perspectives:
Medical Assessment:
- Get an updated medical evaluation
- Discuss current and future safety risks
- Request occupational therapy assessment
Key Safety Considerations:
- Wandering risk
- Cabinet and door safety
- Mobility challenges
- Fall prevention
- Depth perception issues
- Stairs and accessibility
- Emergency services access
4. Evaluate Medical Needs
Current and Future Medical Considerations:
- Impact of multiple diagnoses
- Care complexity
- Required medical procedures
- Medication management
- Physical care requirements
5. Prioritize Wellbeing for Both Care Receiver and Caregiver
This final tip focuses on quality of life considerations for everyone involved.
Socialization Needs:
- Care receiver's social preferences
- Community engagement opportunities
- Caregiver isolation prevention
- Balance of stimulation and comfort
Safety and Emotional Considerations:
- Physical safety for both parties
- Emotional wellbeing
- Caregiver burnout prevention
- Managing aggressive behaviors
- Personal boundaries
Making the Final Decision:
- Consider all evaluation points
- Involve family members
- Maintain awareness of available options
- Stay connected with potential care communities
- Be prepared to act when needed
More from The Caregiver's Journey
When someone gets a diagnosis of dementia, there are two people who need to be cared for: the person living with dementia and you, the primary caregiver.” Nancy Treaster
Do you leave your loved one’s doctor’s appointments feeling intimidated or confused instead of empowered? Do you wish you had a clearer role in shaping their care? Many caregivers feel this way, and there is a better way to approach these visits.
Did your loved one recently receive a diagnosis of dementia? Have you already worked through the first six steps of the Navigating Dementia Caregiving Roadmap? If so, you’ve built a solid foundation, and it’s time to keep going.
“There’s no perfect option out there, and there’s no community that’s going to check every single box.” — Kelly Graffius
"Two words have been the foundation of every decision I made across all of my caregiving roles — safe and happy. Before every choice, I would ask, does this help my loved one be safe? And does this support them being happy?" — Sue Ryan