Top Questions to Ask a Senior Care Advisor in Denver Before Making a Decision

1. Top Questions to Ask a Senior Care Advisor in Denver Before Making a Decision Making the transition from home to a type of senior care community – regardless of what type it is – is a big one. Many individuals live in their own home for years, making it the place they feel most comfortable. However, medical conditions, lifestyle changes, or familial support can change at any time, making this transition crucial to you or your loved one’s overall well-being. Given the importance of this decision, people in Denver shouldn’t have to do it alone. That’s why Senior Care Advisors are a readily available resource for you and your family! These individuals are incredibly knowledgeable about various senior placement options in Denver and the surrounding area; they work closely with you to explore your options, tailor them to your unique needs, and help you feel confident in your decision. With so many options to choose from, whether assisted living, nursing homes, or memory care, it’s possible to get overwhelmed very quickly, especially if you don’t know what to ask. At CarePatrol, we want you to have the right information, so you can make an informed decision, which starts with asking the right questions. In this blog, we’ve given you a behind-the-scenes look at what questions should be at the top of your list. What Are Your Qualifications and Experience? Just how not all senior care options in Denver are made equal, not all Senior Care Advisors are either. It is important that you are aware of your advisor’s professional background and trust the advice being offered. By asking about your Senior Care Advisor’s qualifications and elder placement experience, you can identify whether they are the right fit for you or your loved one. Remember, duration within the role isn’t always an accurate way to assess experience! Inquire about how many individuals they have happily placed in Denver and what training or experience they did to achieve it.

2. Luckily for you, at CarePatrol, our Senior Care Advisors work diligently to expand their network of senior living options, ensuring your loved one finds an option that not only makes them happy, but also accommodates all their needs. They undergo extensive training, as well as having the support of other advisors; our main goal is finding the right fit, which means working with you until that happens – there is no rush. How Will You Assess My Loved One’s Needs? Before you can begin looking at options for senior care, your Senior Care Advisor must first understand what your loved one’s needs are. These include medical conditions, lifestyle preferences, financial considerations, and more. Most advisors will start with an assessment of your loved one, learning more about who they are and why they are seeking senior care in Denver. At CarePatrol of Denver, our initial assessments are comprehensive. Our Senior Care Advisors work closely with you and your support system to better understand what is needed from senior care; for example, asking questions like “what does an average day look like for you? What are some challenges for you? ”, “What part of town do your friends and family live in? Do you have pets that will be coming with you?”, and “what amenities are important to you?” These questions will not only narrow the options considered, but also guide the decision-making process. By offering customized care plans, our Advisors, also known as Consultants, at CarePatrol focus on finding care that accommodates as many preferences, needs, and wants as possible. We also help make sure we present options that are within your budget. What Are the Available Senior Living Options in Denver? The following is an overview of the senior living options your Senior Care Advisor can help you find in Denver; their recommendations will be tailored to align with your loved one’s specific needs:  Independent Living This is an excellent choice if your loved one is still independent, but they are looking for a more social lifestyle surrounded by people in the same stage of life. Certain support services are offered, such as prepared meals, housekeeping, and onsite medical support; however, these communities are full of individuals who crave high-energy environments and the freedom to enjoy retirement. Assisted Living This care model caters to clients that need support with everyday tasks, such bathing, dressing, and transportation. They can help with medication management, incontinence, arrange medical appointments that come to your room/apartment, and help with transferring. Memory Care Memory care is for clients that cannot be left alone because of poor safety awareness, wandering out of the home, abnormal behaviors related to dementia, or other advanced care needs affecting their cognitive awareness. Senior Care Advisors will work with you to identify the stage your loved one is at, guiding the type of memory care which fits their specific needs. Nursing Homes or Long term Skilled Nursing Facilities Nursing Homes are appropriate if a client is unable to help transfer themselves by bearing 30% of their weight. They are also appropriate if a client requires IV medications. Lastly, if   

3. you are unable to afford the assisted care facility level of care that you require, Skilled Nursing Facilities that take Medicaid can be an option for you. There are many nursing homes that will take Medicaid (with the waiver for long term care) as a payor source. At-Home Care If your loved one would prefer to remain at home, but requires more support to do so, at- home care is an option. A caregiver will come to their home at scheduled times to provide a variety of support services and ensure their lifestyle remains as independent as possible. This is a good option if the care needs can be accomplished in 2 hours or more, daily or a couple times a week. If your loved one needs constant supervision or assistance because they are falling or confused, home care can be the highest cost option to provide enough support to keep someone safe.  Now that you better understand the available options in Denver, you’re able to ask your Senior Care Advisors how they determine which type of elder care is appropriate for your loved one. How Do You Evaluate and Select Senior Living Communities in Denver? When evaluating the options recommended by your Senior Care Advisor, it is important to understand how they selected those communities in the first place. Ask about the criteria used, such as the quality of care, staff qualifications, amenities, safety measures, and reputation. While you may be able to shortlist several living communities in Denver just by researching them with your consultant, it’s also important that you visit them. Get to know the feel and flow of the community by immersing yourself in its environment. Speak to staff, current residents, and caregivers to better understand their approach to care and senior living. A big part of finding the right community is experiencing it in person to see if it “feels” like home to the potential resident. Reach Out to One of Our Senior Care Advisors in Denver Today! Choosing the next home for you or your loved one is a significant decision. It deserves the right support and consideration, which is why working closely with a Consultant is highly recommended. Doing all the research and legwork yourself is stressful and time-consuming. With the help of CarePatrol, we can minimize the time, effort, and stress that this decision requires. We prioritize your loved one’s needs, which is why we ensure you’re informed, involved, and proactive in the decision- making process. Take your time choosing a Senior Care Advisor in Denver today to explore our services more and discover how we are the right fit for you! Source: https://carepatrol.com/denver/top-questions-to-ask-a-senior-care-advisor-in-denver-before- making-a-decision/