Judy fell and broke her hip. She calls 911. She lacks a medication list. As a result, the hospital team is unaware of her chronic conditions. Her daughter lives far away and doesn't know if she should fly in.

Accidents by their very nature are unplanned. That doesn't mean you need to be unprepared for a fall or a serious incident (e.g., a heart attack or stroke).

Those who are prepared and have a professional advocate, such as an Aging Life Care™ Manager, are more likely to get the care and the outcomes they desire. Plus, they can recuperate in a setting most in line with their personal needs and preferences.

To be prepared, you need

• current documents. Key to avoiding problems is the ability to give emergency and hospital personnel a list of current medications, your medical history, and an up-to-date list of your doctors and their phone numbers. Copies of all your insurance cards will speed the clerical side of the process. You will also need an advance directive that names your health care decision maker(s) and your preferred treatments.
• up-to-date decision makers. Does the person you have chosen know and understand your treatment preferences? Does the rest of the family know and respect that he or she "speaks for you"? Does your decision maker have a medical background? Is he or she nearby enough or able to drop everything and come to your side?
• a professional advocate. Often family or trusted friends cannot be present at a moment's notice. And most people are not conversant with medical procedures. A professional advocate, such as an Aging Life Care Manager, has met with you prior to the emergency. He or she can fill in the medical team and communicate your personal priorities. An Aging Life Care Manager can advise decision makers by providing insight about treatment choices: Pros and cons and likely outcomes vis-à-vis your values. An Aging Life Care Manager can keep long-distance relatives informed and make recommendations regarding the need to travel. When it's time to leave the hospital, an Aging Life Care Manager can recommend the best support facilities on the basis of your resources and personal preferences. As you plan ahead for emergencies, you will want to make decisions about hiring a professional advocate. Some Aging Life Care Managers offer the option of 24/7 emergency, on-call coverage. Others do not.

Ideally, all this information is available on your person or is readily accessed should you get into an emergency situation.

Want help getting prepared for a medical emergency? Give us a call: 203-826-9206.

Learn more about our aging life care planning services.

While “aging in place” has its benefits, it is expensive to get such individualized care. Plus, it’s rather isolating. Group options require a move, but are more social and cost effective.
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• Assisted living. People move to assisted living when they are ready to stop cooking, cleaning, and maybe even driving. They enjoy social activities but need more help than an independent retirement community might offer. Though not a setting for people with advanced dementia, a portion of assisted living residents may have memory problems.
  
  
• Memory care. With activities specifically for people with significant dementia, memory care may be housed in a wing of assisted living or operate as an independent facility.
  
  
• Skilled nursing or “rehab." Geared for short stays—several days to several weeks—a skilled nursing facility can be thought of as a place to get stronger or learn to do things in new ways after a setback. Then you move to a more homelike environment.
  
  
• Nursing home. This setting is a long-term version of rehab but for those with complex conditions who don’t need a hospital, yet aren't independent enough for assisted living.
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• Continuing care retirement community (CCRC). This large “campus” offers all of the above and more. Move in while fully independent and able to enjoy the pool, golf course, etc. As care needs change, residents move to the different care buildings yet stay on the same property. Ideal for a couple when one needs more support than the other.
  
  

Let us help you understand the different options. Give us a call at 203-826-9206.

Learn more about our aging life care planning services.

My name is Leslie-Alin Tewes and I have good news for you. This is my first blog post, just an introductory one. I am an aging, disability and medical care manager, located in Ridgefield, CT, in private practice helping people with acute or chronic illness and aging as well as those in life-transition navigate the health care/home care system to reach better medical and health outcomes with less stress. I take a very personalized approach and in a comprehensive manner. Care is improved by coordination and integration across the health care continuum with me as your patient advocate, working with your medical team to raise the bar. With extensive credentials, I know from both a clinical and operational/regulatory perspective how to get the finest care.  I'm a health care expert and insider providing services nationwide with focused attention in Fairfield and Westchester Counties.  Headquartered in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Check out just some of the testimonials I'm grateful to have.

More blog posts to come where I hope to share with you some of my learnings over the many years I've been doing this work. I'll share best practices, links to helpful resources and gladly answer questions you might have about your loved ones.