Primary Caregiver Works In Another Country

Juliet was a 46 year old woman with whom we worked for many years. Diagnosed with Schizophrenia, she had seen her share of large and small institutions during her adult life. With only elderly parents living in another state, and a sibling who worked out of the country, we were asked to step in to manage and oversee her care.

She was living in a group home with elderly residents and a group home owner who did not understand the nature of her illness. Sometimes treated with the same restrictions as the dementia residents, it was not long before she wanted out and into a different living environment.

Quickly we set out to identify an alternative living situation that provided Juliet with the level of assistance she needed. Stable on her medications, she really wanted to live on her own, and was confident she would be able to manage. With great consideration and planning, we worked with her and her long distance family to find an urban location where she could walk to her favorite establishments, use public transportation, and possibly find a volunteer job.

Finally, she located an apartment, and with our support, she signed a lease and moved in. We continued to oversee her care, conduct routine home visits, coordinate her medical care, and work with her physicians to monitor her overall health and adherence with medications. She had a volunteer job for a time. The years have had their triumphs and their challenges. Both parents passed away during the coming years, and Juliet had her share of medical and mental health crises. But the triumphs were big: to this day she continues to live independently, with our support and the support of a daily in-home caregiver. The sibling who is primary caregiver is able to maintain her overseas career.

Primary Caregiver and Only Child Needs Help Finding Solutions for Mom

Margaret, 78, came to us upon the request of her daughter, Rose. Rose and Margaret lived together, and Rose maintained a fulltime job. Margaret had a complex medical history, including dementia and diabetes, and Rose was increasingly concerned about the long term and how she would manage and finance her mother’s care. She was not sure where to begin to look or ask.

With an elder care benefit through her employer, she utilized it to obtain an in-home assessment. Senior Care Management Services conducted the assessment, and provided many recommendations for her to consider. Her employer covered the cost of the assessment and report.

Local Primary Caregiver Very Overwhelmed with Job Responsibilities

Senior Care Management Services was called by the very busy son of George. George was 74 years old and just completing a round of treatment for throat cancer. He also had dementia. Currently in the hospital with complications, his independent living facility wanted him to move to assisted living, as it was evident he was no longer able to manage in an independent living setting.

His son, one of three children, but the only local child, needed additional help to manage his father’s care and needs. His own job was exceedingly demanding, stressful and required focus throughout the workday. Bringing assistance in to manage his father’s care and be available for any crises would provide his father the level of support he wished to give him. George moved to assisted living.

Through his remaining six years, we worked with the physicians to monitor his cancer, and thankfully it never returned. The dementia, of course, worsened over time, and sometimes his behavior was problematic. On a day to day basis, we were on point for crises and calls from his assisted living facility. We identified great caregivers to accompany him to his appointments, and he always enjoyed getting out, and they treated him wonderfully. We identified resources to help him save money on prescriptions and local transportation.

With our help for his dad, the son was able to maintain his demanding job, care for his own family, and know that his dad’s needs were provided for during the hours he could not be available.

Primary Caregiver Runs Own International Business

William was an 88 year old retired gentleman when he came to us. Married a few years earlier to his second wife, who was still working and managing her own thriving international consulting business, his health was increasingly failing: he had worsening emphysema, and a history of cardiac bypass surgery; depression; and now cognitive deficits and memory loss.

Unable to both manage her business and oversee his daily care, his wife enlisted our support to manage and coordinate his ongoing care, as well as monitor and supervise the in-home care. While we were involved she was able to maintain a very busy and demanding international travel schedule. Medically complex, he spent a lot of time in doctor’s offices, and we attended with him so as to know the outcome and be able to coordinate his care across the spectrum of physicians.

Eventually William could no longer live at home and required assisted living. We identified an assisted living facility in close proximity to his spouse and helped transition him there. William discovered he liked assisted living with the great food and opportunities for socialization. His spouse was able to continue her own work knowing he had the support he needed.