The Urgent Placement

Most families envision that when the time comes for a loved one to make a move to assisted living, it will be done at their leisure and that there will be ample time to compare numerous options. Unfortunately, many family members find that an immediate placement is what they are dealing with. A loved one lands in the hospital, and it becomes clear quickly that going home - or at least home immediately upon discharge - is not an option. The decision-making process now shrinks to a matter of days and can sometimes be at the mercy of what is available at that moment.

The first step in this situation is to determine if this will most likely be a permanent, long-term move or potentially just a short stay, also known as a respite stay. A respite stay can buy more time for a patient to recover in a setting where meals, medications and care needs are all taken care of. Physical and occupational therapy can also be continued in this setting, allowing more time to know if the loved one were to return home, what kind of accommodations would be needed. This setting would also be appropriate to handle any durable medical equipment (DME), such as walkers or wheelchairs that may be necessary. Homes cannot always be quickly converted to handle DME - installation of ramps, stair chairs and other equipment takes time.

Implementing home care - assistance with activities of daily living provided by paid caregivers or having family members arrange to be on hand to assist - cannot always be managed on a tight turn around. A short stay at an assisted living allows the patient to continue to progress while in a safe and supervised setting.

In either situation, the location and budget are the biggest factors. It usually makes sense to have family or friends nearby for ease of visiting. This may mean keeping your loved one in the same town or area that they have been living or to move closer to where family can more easily manage visits. The budget can, of course, be the most significant factor. A cost that may be managed for a short period of time can be different from a permanent, ongoing expense. The safest option is to go with the more conservative, realistic amount that could be sustained indefinitely whether the assisted living stay ends up as just a respite or permanent. Some families do use the respite stay as a way to “test the waters” if a permanent move were to be ideal or if other options need to be considered.

Another factor is the needs of the patient. If there is a dementia or cognitive impairment diagnosis, an assisted living that also includes memory care is best to consider. Even if memory care ends up not being needed, it is better to have it available than not. If memory care were to ultimately be needed but not available, a move to another community would be necessary. Multiple moves are usually a worst-case scenario for those suffering from dementia, as any change in surroundings can perpetuate further decline.

The best information a family can work with is what they know now. Getting caught up in the what-ifs of what the future holds can blur the reality of the current situation. Being as open and honest with their loved one as possible usually allows for a transition that is smoother and less stressful. At the end of the day, a safe setting is the ideal setting for a patient to recover and/or to adjust to what will be their new home.

For more information, contact Jennifer McAndrews at 410-507-4490 or jenm@assistedlivinglocators.com.