Temporary Stays at Senior Living
For elders who are recovering from hospitalization or illness and aren't ready to move back home, or for caregivers who plan to go out town and need a place for their loved one to stay, temporary stays at senior living communities may be an option. Some assisted living residences and independent living communities offer "temporary stay services." While staying in the community, the elder has access to the same services as the permanent residents do: meals, a calendar of social activities, transportation service, in-room emergency call systems, around-the-clock staff availability and more.
Find Assisted Living communities near you.
Hospital Patient Advocates
If your loved one is hospitalized, and you are unsure where to turn with your questions about inpatient and outpatient care, locate the hospital patient advocate. Advocates, whose services are provided free of charge to patients and their families, are there for just such situations, so don't' be shy – seek them out.
Adult Day Care
Adult day care centers are places where elderly people can go to be looked after while their caregiver works, run errands or simply take a break. Adult day care services provide a safe, secure and social environment for elderly people to visit for a few hours or a full day.
Find Adult Day Care Centers near you.
Geriatric Care Managers
If you feel overwhelmed by decisions about a loved one's care, a Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) may be the person you need. Most GCM's are licensed social workers or nurses. The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) requires its members be licensed in their fields, trained in geriatrics and adhere to its guidelines for professional conduct. Search the NAPGCM website at www.caremanager.org to find a care manager in your community.