We would all like to believe that once our parents are moved safely into an assisted living program that all of their needs will be provided for, but is that accurate? There are a number of services that most facilities do not offer and if they do you have to pay extra for them. With the current health care system breaking apart at the seams and Governor Schwarzenegger proposing additional cuts, the availability of some of these services may become scarce, so what do you do when the need arises for them? You certainly cannot ask a parent or grandparent who has done so much for you to go without in their golden years.
What if ? It's a question that needs to be asked but is often overlooked. What if your loved one needs physical therapy? Is it provided by the facility and, if it is, is it included in your fee? What about companionship, or basic housekeeping, a ride to the store, or help keeping track of doctor's appointments and medications? Most of these are included but the question should always be asked. With cut-backs everywhere and adult day care services on the verge of elimination some of the services you would expect to be standard may not be available at all.
In legislation proposed by the Governor earlier this year, some of the services slated for elimination are ALL of the Caregiver Resource Centers in California, along with support services including Adult Day Health Centers, Alzheimer's Research Centers, certain In-Home Support Services, Linkages Programs, PACE (Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly), and more. If you currently have a loved one in an assisted living facility the services they are getting now may not be available by the end of the year.
The solution to the problem is a marriage of convenience which is seen more frequently now between assisted living facilities and independent care giver organizations. Independents which generally specialize in bringing companionship and care to homebound seniors are now going into assisted living facilities to provide the services that they no longer are able to. These services may have been cut in many cases due to lack of funding or they may have never been available at all.
Orange County has already had to deal with the burst of the housing bubble, a freezing of financial assistance from the banks, a high foreclosure rate, and rising unemployment. Now we are faced with the elimination of essential services for our senior citizens. This is a problem that needs to be addressed right away. Some of the basic necessities of a dignified life for our seniors are at risk and independent care givers can provide them. If you have a parent or grandparent in an assisted living facility and they are not receiving all of the services they need, check into independent care to supplement the facility's programs. You may find that many of the other residents are already taking advantage of this highly effective mix of resources.
For expert advise about how to find the right independent care and companionship, visit homecareforlife.org for a trained representatives ready to discuss your options.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
