For more information about the author, click to view their website: CarePatrol of Western PA
You may have heard about senior placement agencies, but if you are not sure how they work or what they do, you aren’t the only one. Most families are not sure how to help elderly loved ones when they need to find an assisted living community or how to choose nursing homes that will provide loving care and have reasonable occupancy rates.
Here’s what you need to know about making an informed decision about communities in your local area so your elderly loved one can have the best possible living situation. Keep things like cost, personalized assistance, and quality of life in mind.
In today’s world, it’s natural to research products and services online. However, when it comes to researching assisted living and memory care options for your loved one, beware! It can be confusing to understand how online senior placement agencies operate.
When you’re not clear on what senior placement services will do for you and your loved one or whether senior living placement services have your loved one’s best interests in mind, it’s best to take a step back and do some additional research before committing to an agency.
Whether you want to move your loved one into an assisted living community or somewhere else, here’s what you need to know.
When you search for assisted living communities in your search engine, you may see numerous websites that are not assisted living facilities. Rather, they’re online agencies contracted with multiple assisted living providers in the given area. As you access their website information, you will notice that you are not reviewing the services and amenities of a specific assisted living or memory care community.
If you call or enter your contact information into an online agency’s website, your information may be emailed to multiple assisted living providers. This results in numerous phone calls and emails inquiring about your loved one and inviting you for a tour. Additionally, you may never meet their senior advisor other than by phone or email.
While this process may be perfectly acceptable to you, please remember that it can occur during a stressful period when you must make a quick care decision for your loved one. It could also happen when you’re not ready to decide because you are just doing some initial investigating.
There’s certainly no risk to searching an online agency’s website. Still, a good practice is to click on their “privacy” link at the bottom of their homepage to understand how they will disclose your information before providing your contact information.
Some family members will choose a random senior living community for their loved ones. The decision may be because the community advertises independent living, is close to home, or the reviews look good. Unfortunately, that’s not really a good way to select a senior care facility.
There’s much more to finding quality independent or assisted living communities than a quick search. In general, you should look at senior living options with an eye toward medical care, financial burden, quality of senior care, living arrangements, desired location, and whether they can create a smooth transition for your loved one.
If you think that sounds overwhelming, you’re not alone. Making informed decisions can be hard, especially with so many senior living option considerations. Many seniors cannot safely make their own choices and rely on a family member to help them.
Even if you do your own research, you may still not be confident that you are choosing the best place to support your aging loved one.
Trying to “go it alone” when choosing a senior living community can be too difficult, but what if you don’t want to give your contact information to senior placement services that are going to inundate you with calls during an already stressful time? Are those the only two ways you can find a senior living space for your loved one?
Fortunately, there’s a third option: CarePatrol.
At CarePatrol, your contact information is treated confidentially until you wish to disclose it to a senior living provider to whom we introduce you. We offer a local, personalized, hands-on approach by preferring to meet with you in person, pick you up and accompany you on tours, and meet with your loved one at home, the hospital, a rehab facility, or wherever they are.
We’re not your typical senior placement agency. We’re highly focused on helping people find assisted living communities or other senior living options for their loved ones.
Our goal is to provide you with a stress-free process that doesn’t add to your confusion or concern during an already difficult time.
Our free service was started by a social worker after seeing the trauma inflicted on a family whose loved one was placed in the wrong kind of facility for their needs. We worked hard to become the pioneer organization and referral agency for placing loved ones in senior care, and we continue to focus on seniors and their families when they need us most.
As a national network of local small business franchise owners, CarePatrol’s mission statement is “to provide safer care options for seniors.”
Our local senior care advisors are franchise owners who understand the value of protecting older adults and want to provide them with essential care options to meet their needs.
If you have a loved one ready to move to a senior care community or need more than in-home care can provide, working with us can give you information and options.
The aging process is complex, and many factors work together to influence the outcome of a senior living decision. We can help you navigate social, health, and financial concerns to find the right care option. Our local senior care advisors pre-screen all our facilities, so you’ll know what you’re getting when we connect you.
Working with us takes all the guesswork out of finding the right care options for your senior loved one so both of you can relax and enjoy more time together. We’re honored to provide the value we offer to seniors and their families and are deeply committed to ensuring that your loved one will get the care they need in a comfortable place they can truly call home.
Reach out to us at CarePatrol of Western PA to discuss senior care options in your area. Our placement agency offers a free service to help you and your loved one find the right senior care option for their needs.
The senior care industry can be difficult to navigate at times, especially for older adults, but with a little extra help, valuable insights, and a free consultation, you can decide if CarePatrol’s help is right for your loved one.
Reach out to us today at 724-631-4950.
A simple checklist for making sure your obituary honors and informs.When a loved one has passed away, writing an obituary that honors their life can seem overwhelming. Dont worry - your obituary will honor their life simply by the act of you writing it. You want to celebrate your loved ones life and offer happy and enjoyable memories. You are helping to ease the pain of others simply by telling a story about your loved one.We hope that this checklist will take the stress and pressure off of you and allow you to honor your loved one. Remember, your funeral arranger is an experienced professional and is a valuable resource for writing the obituary.Include basic details about the persons lifeYou dont have to include all of this information, but here are the basics that are often included in an obituary. Choose the elements that are most relevant to your loved one: Age Any familial survivors Education Vocation When the person retired, if relevant Any military affiliations Any volunteer affiliations Include funeral informationFamily and friends often rely on an obituary for information on when and where a persons life will be celebrated, so your obituary will make it very simple for them to get that information (and will save you the hassle of having to answer lots of questions at a time when you would prefer not to be bothered with small details). You can include: Date and time of the funeral Place the funeral is being held Any viewing details Request for donations in lieu of flowers
The thought of public speaking throws many people into a panic. Add to that fear the common discomfort of discussing death, and it's easy to understand why the idea of delivering a eulogy can be disconcerting. If you've been asked to write a eulogy, take heart. This article will help you put your fears in perspective so you can deliver a loving eulogy."Why me?"You were probably asked to deliver a eulogy because of your close relationship to the deceased, and because the family trusts you to honor his or her memory on behalf of family and friends. The family doesn't want to make you feel uncomfortable, foolish or as though your grief is on display. It's an honor they've bestowed upon you. Helping others say goodbye may turn out to be a rewarding experience. Don't worry about making mistakes. A eulogy comes from the heart of the deliverer. I can't see how a mistake could be made as long as it is honest and true."I can't write."Don't let the thought of writing intimidate you. You don't have to be a novelist to move people. Everyone has a story to tell and that's your job as a eulogist. Tell people your story.In the book "A Labor of Love: How to Write a Eulogy," author Garry Schaeffer says a eulogy should convey the feelings and experiences of the person giving the eulogy, and should be written in an informal, conversational tone. Schaeffer dispels the misconceptions that a eulogy should objectively summarize the person's life or speak for all present. Sit down and write from the heart.Eulogists often write about the person's attributes, memories and common times that were shared together. Sometimes they include the deceased's favorite poems, book passages, scripture verses, quotes, expressions, lines from songs or items that were written by the deceased. Whatever is selected, it generally reflects the loved one's lifestyle.These questions should get you thinking: How did you and the deceased become close? Is there a humorous or touching event that represents the essence of your passed loved one? What did you and others love and admire about the deceased? What will you miss most about him or her? Some of the simplest thoughts are deeply touching and easy for those congregated to identify with. For example, "I'll miss her smile," or "I'll never forget the way he crinkled his nose when he laughed," are just as good as "I admired her selflessness.""I can't speak in front of people."It may not be easy, but you can do it. A funeral is one time you'll surely have a kind and empathetic audience. They feel for you and are on your side. You'll only have to speak for five to ten minutes, but your gift will live in the hearts of the deceased's family and friends.If you're worried about choking up or breaking down in the middle of your eulogy, you can take a moment to compose yourself, then carry on, as Schaeffer recommends, or you can have a back up person ready to step in. Give a copy of your eulogy to the minister or funeral director so that person can finish the eulogy if you're unable to continue.Tips Be honest and focus on the person's positive qualities Humor is acceptable if it fits the personality of the deceased. "If you are inclined to be a perfectionist, lower your expectations and just do what you can given the short time-frame and your emotional state," writes Schaeffer in "Labor of Love." Keep it brief. Five to ten minutes is the norm, but it's a good idea to verify that with the minister or funeral director. Leo Saguin recommends interviewing family and friends in his book "How to Write and Deliver a Loving Eulogy." Put the eulogy on paper - at least in outline form. Eulogy or Sharing Time?If you're planning the funeral, you might want to consider "sharing time" as an alternative to a eulogy. In sharing time, the people congregated pass a microphone or take turns standing up to share their thoughts. It's like a lot of mini eulogies and is more spontaneous.Links Offering Examples Mona Simpson, sister to Steve Jobs, delivered a heart wrenching eulogy that was posted in The New York Times on October 30, 2011 - Click here to read it in its entirety. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's eulogy for President Ronald Reagan was telecast at his services in 2005 as she remembered her friend. Click here to read it in its entirety. Books Offering Help, Examples and Inspiration Books Offering Help, Examples and Inspiration "The Book of Eulogies: A Collection of Memorial Tributes, Poetry, Essays, and Letters of Condolence" by Phyllis Theroux (editor) "How to Write and Deliver a Loving Eulogy" by Leo Seguin "Final Celebrations: A Guide for Personal and Family Funeral Planning" by Kathleen Sublette and Martin Flagg "In Memoriam: A Practical Guide to Planning a Memorial Service" by Amanda Bennett and Terence B. Foley "My Deepest Sympathies: Meaningful Sentiments for Condolence Notes and Conversations, Plus a Guide to Eulogies" by Florence Isaacs "Remembering Well: Rituals for Celebrating Life and Mourning Death" by Sarah York "Readings for Remembrance: A Collection for Funerals and Memorial Services" by Eleanor C. Munro (introduction) "Remembrances and Celebrations: A Book of Eulogies, Elegies, Letters, and Epitaphs" by Jill Werman Harris (editor)
What makes a funeral service memorable? Most often, it's the words that are spoken and the special people who say them. So when you gather with family members to plan a ceremony to help you celebrate the life of a loved one, it's wise to choose your speakers with care. There are several speaking roles to think about. Choosing the right person for each of these roles is important.Ceremony LeaderYou will need one person to take charge and oversee the ceremony. This person is responsible for starting and finishing the service, performing official duties within the ceremony, and coordinating all the activities in between. This person is called the officiant.If your loved one was involved in a religion, the clergy from his or her church may be the logical choice. If the person who died (the deceased) was not a member of a specific church, you can invite clergy from another church or an officiant with no church connection to perform a religious ceremony.Most clergy will follow an order of service dictated by their religious rules. This typically includes prayers, readings and blessings for the deceased and saddened family members.If a non-religious ceremony seems right, or family members are having trouble choosing the clergy, a professional funeral celebrant may be the solution. A celebrant will work with you to design a fully customized ceremony that can meet a variety of needs. Your funeral director can help arrange for an officiant.Guest Speaker or EulogistAnother important choice is the person or people who will write and deliver a speech a eulogy about the life of the person who has died. The speech is ideally given by someone who knew the person well enough to gather and share memories and highlights of his/her life.Sometimes the choice is obvious within the family. There is often one person who seems to be the unofficial family spokesperson. In other cases, the family needs to look further to find the right person to have the honor. Another family member, a lifelong friend or a trusted co-worker might have the perfect combination for the job a deep knowledge of the person who died and good writing and public speaking abilities. In some cases, the officiant, who may be a priest, minister, or professional celebrant, will give the eulogy.Many families choose to have more than one speaker to cover different aspects of their loved ones' life. One way to do this is to follow the main eulogy with a couple of shorter presentations; perhaps a grandson reading a letter or a daughter reading Mom's favorite poem. In all, no more than 30 minutes should be planned for the Eulogy part of the service.One last word of advice about eulogies: keep in mind that even though a family member may wish to speak at the funeral to help with the healing process, he or she may be too emotionally distressed to speak when the time comes. It's a good idea to have another speaker ready to step in and finish the speech if necessary.Reader(s)Many services include readings from the Bible or other sacred texts. These may be read by clergy or other guests. When planning the service, ask the clergy or celebrant whether guest readers are required or allowed. This could be a welcome honor for a family member or close friend who is not up to the task of writing or presenting a long speech. If you have guest readers, make sure they have the verses ahead of time in order to practice and double check any tricky words.Open MicrophoneIt has become popular to open the floor to allow guests to share additional memories with the group. While this practice can provide more information about the life of the deceased and create a deeper feeling of community, it's not without some risk. Clear time limits should be set and respected. The ceremony leader must be prepared to politely guide participants who speak too long, or the ceremony can start to drag.Final WordsThere are formal and informal rules, rites and traditions involved in almost any funeral or memorial ceremony. Especially if your service occurs in a place of worship, there will be guidelines to respect. Make sure you meet with the selected officiant ahead of time so you understand what to expect and have a chance to discuss any special requests.Most important, remember whose life you are celebrating. Their stated wishes, or your understanding of what they would prefer, should always guide your decisions.
Navigating the journey of aging can be challenging for seniors and their family caregivers. Understanding the various senior care options available is crucial to ensuring the well-being and quality of life for our loved ones. In Western Pennsylvania, CarePatrol can assist as a trusted guide, offering personalized assistance to help families find the best senior living solutions tailored to their unique needs, preferences, and budgets. We are a NO COST concierge service to our families to help them the through the overwhelming process of evaluating all senior living options. We appreciate that this can be a very difficult and emotional decision, and our services are provided in confidence and with compassion and empathy to help families through this challenging process. We utilize our extensive professional backgrounds in health care, law, social work and senior living to be able to effectively advise and counsel our clients in the decision making process.The CarePatrol DifferenceCarePatrol of Western PA distinguishes itself through a compassionate and knowledgeable team dedicated to simplifying the senior care selection process:Expert Guidance: With a team comprising professionals with backgrounds in legal, healthcare, case management, and senior living, CarePatrol offers a wealth of experience to assist families in making informed decisions. Personalized Assessments: Understanding that each individual has unique needs, CarePatrol conducts thorough assessments to recommend the most suitable care options, ensuring that seniors receive the appropriate level of support.No-Cost Services: Families can access CarePatrol's advisory services without any cost, alleviating financial concerns during what can be a stressful decision-making process.Comprehensive Support: From exploring care options to transitioning into a new living arrangement, CarePatrol provides continuous support, ensuring a smooth and comfortable experience for both seniors and their caregivers.Service That We Offer:We specialize in helping families find the most suitable senior living and care options by offering the following services:Senior Living Placement Assistance: CarePatrol guides families through the selection of independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities. By evaluating each option based on care needs, budget, and personal preferences, they ensure seniors find the best possible environment for their well-being.Personalized Care Assessments: Understanding that every senior has unique requirements, CarePatrol conducts in-depth assessments to match individuals with the most appropriate care options. They consider factors such as medical needs, lifestyle preferences, mobility, and cognitive function to recommend the right level of support.In-Depth Community Reviews: CarePatrol goes beyond standard recommendations by reviewing and grading senior living communities based on state survey reports, care quality, safety standards, and resident satisfaction. This extra step ensures families make informed choices with confidence.Guided Community Tours: Choosing a senior living community can be overwhelming. CarePatrol arranges and accompanies families on guided tours to potential facilities, helping them ask the right questions and make well-informed decisions.Dementia and Memory Care Navigation: Finding the right care for a loved one with Alzheimers or other forms of dementia requires specialized expertise. CarePatrol provides knowledgeable support in selecting memory care communities with structured environments, trained staff, and programs that enhance quality of life.Transition Support: Moving to a new care setting can be stressful for seniors and their families. CarePatrol assists in making the transition as smooth as possible by providing emotional support, resources, and guidance throughout the process.Educational Resources and Advocacy: CarePatrol is committed to educating families about senior care options. They provide access to workshops, informational sessions, and a library of resources covering topics such as elder law, long-term care planning, and navigating Medicare and Medicaid.Meet the TeamThe strength lies in our dedicated professionals:Julie Whitbeck-Lewinski, OTD, OTR/L, CCM, CSA: With over 20 years in healthcare and human services, Julie holds a doctorate in Occupational Therapy and certifications in fall prevention and dementia care. Her expertise ensures that seniors receive care tailored to their specific needs. Donald Lewinski, III, Esq. / MBA: Combining legal expertise with an MBA, Don navigates the complex financial and legal aspects of elder care, providing families with comprehensive solutions and peace of mind. (carepatrol.com)Serving Western PennsylvaniaWe proudly serves a wide range of areas within Western Pennsylvania, including but not limited to: Aliquippa, Ambridge, Beaver, Butler, Cranberry Township, Ellwood City, Grove City, Hermitage, New Castle, Sharon, and Zelienople.Getting Started with CarePatrolEmbarking on the journey to find suitable senior care can be overwhelming, but CarePatrol simplifies the process:Initial Consultation: Reach out to CarePatrol to discuss your loved one's needs, preferences, and budget. This conversation helps set the foundation for personalized recommendations.Personalized Assessment: CarePatrol's advisors conduct a thorough assessment to understand the specific care requirements, ensuring that all aspects of the senior's well-being are considered.Exploring Options: Based on the assessment, CarePatrol presents a curated list of care options, including in-home care, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes.Guided Tours: Families are encouraged to visit potential communities or meet with in-home care providers. CarePatrol coordinates these visits and accompanies families to ensure all questions are addressed.Decision Support: CarePatrol assists in evaluating the pros and cons of each option, considering factors like location, services offered, and cost, to help families make informed decisions.Transition Assistance: Once a decision is made, CarePatrol provides support during the transition, ensuring that the senior and their family feel comfortable and confident in the new care arrangement.Reach out to us to learn more today at 724-631-4950.