Biggest Mistakes Families Make When Looking for Care

Posted on

Sep 01, 2021

share-this
Share This
For more information on the author, Wendy Rickenbach Barclay with CarePatrol, CLICK HERE!

So many times families are faced with the daunting decision that mom/dad needs some sort of support to continue living at home or worse their health and/or cognition has declined to a point where staying home alone is no longer safe.
I hear families say ALL the time that mom/dad wants to stay in their home. That has always been our goal at CarePatrol. Keeping seniors safe, engaged, nourished, and as independent as possible. Having said that, most people do not fully realize the economics of staying at home vs. community-based care options.

Did you know that if you are paying for 6-8 hours a day on in-home private duty care that is the same amount you would pay at a community-based care option for 24/7 care and NO one in your home all day staring at you and/or four walls?

While I believe that in-home care is always the first option and it may be a permanent option if you can afford $15,000-$18,000 a month for private duty care in your home. However, that is not the reality for most of us. The average cost of a community-based care option is about $4,500-$6,000 a month in a PRIVATE APT...YES, mom/dad would have their own apt.
There are more economical options and more expensive options as well. Just trying to give an average.

Most families begin their quest by asking friends, neighbors, etc. andwhile those are ALL good ideas it would be hard for any of those resources to have complete knowledge of the 183+ community-based care options in the area or the 123+ private duty care options in the area. Does that friend have in-depth knowledgeof all these options? Do they know the cost of care, pros/cons, and community performance records from thousands of families on these options?

Honestly, I dont know anyone other than CarePatrol that can fully answer all these questions for you. Unfortunately, most friends do not know the funding strategies that you can implement to help pay for care. What happens is they send you to the place they know down the street that is brand new with 24/7 nursing and will cost $5,800. You then say my monthly income is $1,500.

So you fall in love with that community and leave discouraged because you feel as though you
are destined to never have the care you need to stay as independent as possible and reside in the fact that if things progress you will have to go to a nursing home.
The point of all this is to partner with a FREE LOCAL expert. Call CarePatrol to educate you on all the care options and ways to pay for care. If knowledge is power then let us give you the knowledge you need to stay safe and independent.
Call today at 941-237-0846 or visit Sarasota.carepatrol.com.

Other Articles You May Like

A Special Visit: Meals on Wheels America President & CEO Joins Florida Chapter Conference

It was a momentous occasion in Bradenton on May 1, 2025, as we welcomed a very special guest  Ellie Hollander, President & CEO of Meals on Wheels America. Her visit was more than ceremonial; it was a heartfelt celebration of community, service, and the vital work being done across Florida to nourish and support our seniors.Ellie flew in from the Washington, D.C. area as the keynote speaker for the Meals on Wheels Florida annual conference, proudly hosted this year by Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. Ellies schedule was packed, but that did not stop her from doing an interview with MySuncoast ABC-7 telling viewers how critical the meal program is to our homebound seniors. Next, Ellie hit the road and delivered meals to some of our senior clients and talked with our volunteers. Ellie also stopped by our Friendship Dining Center program, and participated in a music game the clients love.The Members of the Florida Chapter of Meals on Wheels America named Maribeth Phillips, our President & CEO, as their Board President earlier this year. Maribeth invited Ellie to attend and kickoff the conference. Ellie shared valuable insights with the members in attendance, and her words reenergized the room!The conference included meal providers from across the state, with over 20 different organizations attending. Attendees also heard from Bob Blancato, Executive Director of NANASP, also from Washington, D.C.; Bradenton Police Detective, Jim Curulla on senior scams; Sandra Tapfumaneyi, Chief of Emergency Management Sarasota; Louise Gallagher on Senior Mental Health; and Jennifer Huber from FPL. Chef2Home provided a delicious breakfast and lunch.We are proud to be part of the national network of Meals on Wheels America and grateful to be a part of the state-wide chapter, Meals on Wheels Florida, both working every day to ensure no senior goes hungry.

Help Fight Summer Hunger in Manatee County

As summer approaches, many children in our community are looking forward to sunshine, fun, and time with friends. But for far too many, summer brings something else-hunger.When school cafeterias close for the summer, thousands of local children lose access to the nutritious meals they depend on. Families already struggling to make ends meet are faced with even more pressure. The emotional toll is real. No parent should have to worry if they can feed their child, and no child should go to bed with an empty stomach.At The Food Bank of Manatee, we are stepping up to meet the need. We partner with over 100 local food pantries across Manatee County to reach the families who need us mostbut we cant do it alone.This summer, our goal is to provide: 22,500 meals each week across the 9-week summer break. Thats more than 200,000 meals for children and familiesand every dollar makes a difference.Just $15 provides 10 meals; $30 provides 20 meals; a gift of $150 will provide 100 meals!We know that many in our community want to make a difference. With your support, we can ensure no child goes hungry during the summer months.Please consider making a gift today and sharing this message with others who want to help too. A link to our page is below. A $25,000 Matching Gift to feed children this summer has been offered by an anonymous fund at Manatee Community Foundation. Gifts will be matched $1 for $1 up to $25,000.The Food Bank of Manatee is the only food bank based in our county. We anticipate continued need as families look for nutritional support. Your help matters now more than ever! Please give today!Together, we can bring relief, peace of mind, and full bellies to those who need it most.

Celebrating the Heart of Our Mission: Volunteer Luncheon Honors Our Outstanding Volunteers

On Monday, April 7, 2025, we had the joy and honor of hosting our annual Volunteer Luncheon, a heartfelt celebration dedicated to the incredible individuals who make our mission possible each and every day. Held in a spirit of gratitude and community, the event brought together volunteers with over 100 hours of service for a beautiful luncheon provided by Metz Chef 2 Home. The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to several outstanding volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their service. From delivering meals with a smile to lending a helping hand wherever needed, these volunteers embody the true spirit of giving.The 2025 award recipients included:Champions Circle: Ten Years of ServiceDan WilhelmChampions Circle: 300+ Hours of ServiceTerri HillChampions Circle: 300+ Hours of ServicePat McDonaldOutstanding Food Bank Volunteer: Terri HillOutstanding Volunteer Ambassador: Veronica Brandon-MillerOutstanding Youth Volunteer: Jonathan MaassenMost Generous Group Ambassador: Lakewood Ranch Elks LodgeOutstanding Volunteer Group: First WatchOutstanding Administrative Volunteer: Barbara BrownOutstanding Friendship Dining Center Volunteer: Pam O ConnorOutstanding Car Loader: Charlie GunnOutstanding Warehouse Volunteer: Lana PaulRookies of the Year: Jeff and Christy MohlerOutstanding Daybreak Adult Day Center Volunteer: Larry BreidenbachOutstanding Telephone Reassurance Volunteer: Reina HuertaVolunteer of the Year: Terri HillTo every volunteer who gives their time and heartthank you. Our Volunteers are the reason we are able to serve our neighbors in need with care, dignity, and hope. We look forward to another year of making a difference together.