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Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
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I'm elderly, still independent, and don't have children or family to help me. I'm worried about when I can no longer be independent, are there agencies/professionals who step up to make decisions, pay bills, manage funerals, etc.?
While you are able talk with the funeral home that will be conducting your service. You can prepay for your funeral, write your obituary. Tell them how you want your service. Check with your bank to see if they offer bill paying services when you can no longer deal with your finances, if not they may be able to refer you to someone. Check into a home health care agency that is bonded to come in and take care of you. They should also clean your house and prepare meals. I am unsure how much the bank will charge you. I do know Home health care agencies can be expensive. If you go to a church and there is someone you trust and they need a place to live and a job. They could do all of the above in exchange they would inherit your estate.
You might want to look into a professional fiduciary--as this is typically everything in their wheelhouse.
Depending on your state, they may hold themselves out as private fiduciaries, professional guardians, or private guardians (or simply “guardians”).
Some states, like California (where I’m licensed), have an established industry and regulatory framework. Other states have established but unregulated industries, usually relying on the National Certified Guardian (or National Master Guardian) credential.
For some states, the role is played by a combination of daily money managers, care managers, and attorneys.
The best place to start is always with an attorney you like working with. If you decide to find a fiduciary or guardian, you should always look into as many options as possible (many attorneys will only refer to one or two fiduciaries).
To find a National Certified Guardian or National Master Guardian, check out the Center for Guardianship Certification: https://guardianshipcert.org/guardians/
You can also find someone who practices as a guardian, generally, through the National Guardianship Association’s website: https://www.guardianship.org/find-a-guardian/
If you go the fiduciary route, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to talk to as many options as possible. This is a lot of trust to place in a non-family member or non-friend, so make sure their personality and values align with your own. This also needs to be someone you trust to follow your final and post-death wishes.
I'd consult with an attorney who specializes in elder care. There are guardians/conservators that can do this, but they can be predatory. In fact, the entire senior care industry is predatory as hell I've learned. Everyone promises the world to get your money, but you get very little in return. I never have dealt with so much lying, predatory sales behavior as I've seem since I started caring for my dad in 2020. I used to work in the legal system, and despite the bad rep attorneys get, they were rarely unethical and dishonest like the "care" industry. A good elder law attorney should know your area and what options there may be that you can set up. I live in one of the worst states for heaothcare and elder care, but if you check out the documentary called The Guardians, this goes on in lots of places. There's also another documentary, No Country For Old People, that explores the care system for elderly in the US. It's terrifying!
For myself, I will probably set something up so that if I end up unable to care for myself, my money goes into an irrevocable trust and the predatory care system can't get it. Attorneys who specialize in Medicaid estate planning handle this. Yes, Medicaid facilities suck, but I hate to tell you, private pay facilities are just expensive fancier versions of the same understaffed hellholes. I may consider leaving the US one day. The system really is broken, and I doubt it will change. The way elders are treated is horrible. And I guarantee you there are comments on this forum that are from industry people (not necessarily on this post). But there's a lot of marketing IRL and all over the internet with lots of money and effort put into selling "care". I've left very honest negative online reviews of facilities and had them hidden. I left an honest Yelp review about a care company, and not only did it get removed, but I was threatened with my Yelp account being deactivated. I won't name the company, but if someone has nothing but tons of 5 star reviews, that's actually a red flag. They pay for reviews, have employees leave reviews, etc. I've had a social worker in a hospital give me a business card of her "friend" who was really the owner of a franchise that places people in facilities. His commission would be the first month's rent. Be leary of free placement services. Unless you are paying, they have someone else's interest as their priority. It's paid marketing.
You are so right about private pay facilities not necessarily being that superior to Medicaid facilities. They both can be hellholes. I have found that they are very overpriced rooms with nice amenities but that the “care” is practically non-existent. That is the biggest rub with the cost of AL and SNF facilities in the US. The value of the services provided is so far off from the amount charged that it is both absurd and predatory. So while people might think it is worth it to save all their money so they have a good place to stay, the reality is the assistance and care provided almost anywhere are poor.
Geriatric care managers! Start exploring their services. You can consult a funeral home and choose your plan as well as pay for it ahead of time. Right now you could call a care agency such as Visiting Angels and sign up. Then when you need help, you already have an account, and you can call the care agency to provide a ride to surgery, care for you afterward, provide someone to keep the house neat, and so on. You can look at continuum of care communities where you start out in independent living, progress to assisted living, memory care and long-term care when you need it. About transportation: look into volunteer agencies that provide rides to doctors' offices, shopping, and recreation for seniors. If there aren't any volunteer agencies, there may be some for profit in your area that you could use. Also, become familiar with Uber and Lyft, which you can pay for rides. Some cities, and mine is one of them, give vouchers for ride services, so that if the ride costs $20, the voucher pays for half and your cost is only $10. Learn about food preparation services. I use Factor X. I order online a week ahead and the prepared meals, never frozen, are delivered once a week. I heat them in the microwave for 2 minutes. They are delicious as well as nutritious. I buy all food and other necessities by ordering online from Amazon and Walmart. They deliver to my door, often within 24 hours. I have no need to enter a grocery store or Walmart.
There are many things you can do to take care of yourself, and the great part is that they are easily arranged ahead of time. There is no need to worry about not having family to help. You can stay independent for quite a while if you really want to, and I hope you'll succeed.
You need to make this arrangement while you are still mentally capable. There are patient advocates who can arrange for your care if you have enough financials to pay. Search aginglifecare.org. You might also face the possibility of running out of money. Then probate will take over and appoint a guardian to set you up in a nursing home. As for a funeral, you can go to just about any funeral home and prepay now. It saves on taxes and you pay today's prices.
This must weigh on you. If you arrive in ER. Generally social workers will assist setting up your care and help. If you are home you could ask to be referred to geriatrics clinic. They will have advice and answers to assist you. This would not be the first time they have seen this.
As Geaton suggested, an attorney or accountant can help by representing you, making decisions, and paying bills. You can name a third party professional as your POA, medical representative, and an executor of your estate when you pass.
You might also consult with a Geriatric Care Manager. Search online for such a service in your area. They can help with planning for your anticipated care needs. I don't know, but they might also be able to connect you to a guardian/representative.
Consult with an elder law attorney. An attorney can do what you need, also a guardian or conservator.
Also, prepare yourself to move to a continuum of care community before you think you need it so that no one needs to battle you into appropriate care in a crisis. Then you get to pick the place and retain control and guarantee you will always have appropriate level of care.
Lots of us plan for physical impairment but we don't like to think about cognitive impairment. And it sneaks up on you, so that you don't recognize it, or deny having it. It makes getting someone into a facility very onerous.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
Check with your bank to see if they offer bill paying services when you can no longer deal with your finances, if not they may be able to refer you to someone. Check into a home health care agency that is bonded to come in and take care of you. They should also clean your house and prepare meals.
I am unsure how much the bank will charge you. I do know Home health care agencies can be expensive.
If you go to a church and there is someone you trust and they need a place to live and a job. They could do all of the above in exchange they would inherit your estate.
Depending on your state, they may hold themselves out as private fiduciaries, professional guardians, or private guardians (or simply “guardians”).
Some states, like California (where I’m licensed), have an established industry and regulatory framework. Other states have established but unregulated industries, usually relying on the National Certified Guardian (or National Master Guardian) credential.
For some states, the role is played by a combination of daily money managers, care managers, and attorneys.
The best place to start is always with an attorney you like working with. If you decide to find a fiduciary or guardian, you should always look into as many options as possible (many attorneys will only refer to one or two fiduciaries).
To find a National Certified Guardian or National Master Guardian, check out the Center for Guardianship Certification: https://guardianshipcert.org/guardians/
You can also find someone who practices as a guardian, generally, through the National Guardianship Association’s website: https://www.guardianship.org/find-a-guardian/
If you go the fiduciary route, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to talk to as many options as possible. This is a lot of trust to place in a non-family member or non-friend, so make sure their personality and values align with your own. This also needs to be someone you trust to follow your final and post-death wishes.
Hope this helps!
For myself, I will probably set something up so that if I end up unable to care for myself, my money goes into an irrevocable trust and the predatory care system can't get it. Attorneys who specialize in Medicaid estate planning handle this. Yes, Medicaid facilities suck, but I hate to tell you, private pay facilities are just expensive fancier versions of the same understaffed hellholes. I may consider leaving the US one day. The system really is broken, and I doubt it will change. The way elders are treated is horrible. And I guarantee you there are comments on this forum that are from industry people (not necessarily on this post). But there's a lot of marketing IRL and all over the internet with lots of money and effort put into selling "care". I've left very honest negative online reviews of facilities and had them hidden. I left an honest Yelp review about a care company, and not only did it get removed, but I was threatened with my Yelp account being deactivated. I won't name the company, but if someone has nothing but tons of 5 star reviews, that's actually a red flag. They pay for reviews, have employees leave reviews, etc. I've had a social worker in a hospital give me a business card of her "friend" who was really the owner of a franchise that places people in facilities. His commission would be the first month's rent. Be leary of free placement services. Unless you are paying, they have someone else's interest as their priority. It's paid marketing.
There are many things you can do to take care of yourself, and the great part is that they are easily arranged ahead of time. There is no need to worry about not having family to help. You can stay independent for quite a while if you really want to, and I hope you'll succeed.
You might also consult with a Geriatric Care Manager. Search online for such a service in your area. They can help with planning for your anticipated care needs.
I don't know, but they might also be able to connect you to a guardian/representative.
Also, prepare yourself to move to a continuum of care community before you think you need it so that no one needs to battle you into appropriate care in a crisis. Then you get to pick the place and retain control and guarantee you will always have appropriate level of care.
Lots of us plan for physical impairment but we don't like to think about cognitive impairment. And it sneaks up on you, so that you don't recognize it, or deny having it. It makes getting someone into a facility very onerous.