402-‐991-‐7399
Suzanne Myers, LCSW
A Guide for Families Dealing with Elderly Parents
402-‐991-‐7399
The Decision Process ! A Life Changing Event " Fall with injury " Memory loss " Mental health issue " Decline in eyesight " Mobility issues " Death of a spouse/significant other
What to do Next?
402-‐991-‐7399
Urgent vs. Impending " How serious is the condi9on/injury? " Who determining it as a problem? " Does the person recognize it as a problem?
" Is a hospitaliza9on an op9on or necessary?
402-‐991-‐7399
Preven9on ! Early assessment and interven9on – home safety, driving, medica9ons, fall preven9on, dietary concerns
! Ini9ate preventa9ve measures – home safety, Lifeline, driving courses/alternate transporta9on, medica9on review
402-‐991-‐7399
A Hospital Stay ! Is it necessary? ! How long will the stay be? ! Does the hospital social worker have the best interest of the pa9ent at hand?
! Do you have to accept the hospital’s discharge plan?
! Do you have to leave when the hospital says it is 9me to go?
402-‐991-‐7399
ALer a Hospital Stay ! Where do you go? ! What help will you need? ! How is it paid for? ! Who gets to decide?
402-‐991-‐7399
Op9ons ! Home – alone or with help ! Home – home care ! Home – family support ! Rehab facility ! Assisted living
402-‐991-‐7399
There’s No Place Like Home ! Safe? Medica9ons, Falls, Meals, Toile9ng, etc.
! Need outside help? Home Care, Private Duty, Family
! Costs, Limita9ons, Nego9a9ons
402-‐991-‐7399
Rehabilita9on Stay ! How do you qualify? ! What do they do? ! What happens if it isn’t working? ! Who pays for it? ! Do I have a choice?
402-‐991-‐7399
Assisted Living ! What is provided? ! What is it like? ! Who pays for it? ! What are the op9ons?
402-‐991-‐7399
Community Op9ons ! Adult Day Care ! Respite Care ! Long-‐Term Care ! Pallia9ve Care ! Hospice Care ! End-‐of-‐Life Planning
402-‐991-‐7399
Things to Consider ! Long-‐Term Care Insurance ! Medicare/Medicaid ! Living Wills ! Power of AUorney ! Guardianships/Conservatorships ! Veterans’ Benefits
402-‐991-‐7399
Ques9ons?
Contact Suzanne Myers at 402-‐991-‐7399
