After a lifetime of independence, asking for help and admitting to being lonely is perceived as a sign of weakness. In reality, it should be seen as a sign of strength. Decision makers usually recognize signs when making difficult choices for their loved ones in need of care. Acting upon those signs is often another story.

As the caregiver, knowing when it is time to find the next level of care is often obvious, but making the right choice is not always easy. However, two main indicators, safety and social isolation, must be paid attention to when making difficult choices. The Beacon of LIFE (A PACE program) could help make these decisions easier by offering services that alleviate these concerns.

Safety

Explaining away little mishaps and covering up obvious signs of functional loss are commonplace when avoiding health care choices. Safety in the home is a main consideration when deciding to enroll a loved one in a PACE program, because danger lurks in every room in the home. Some situations can be easily remedied, such as reducing clutter or installing grab bars in the shower. However, sometimes, dangerous situations cannot be eliminated because of a lack of good judgement or safety awareness. Poor judgement coupled with a weakened state is one sign it is time for PACE program enrollment.

Socialization

Social isolation has proven negative effects on the elderly. It is linked to declining mental and physical well-being as well as long-term illness. Even more importantly, it could be a sign of larger health issues. Here are some questions to ask to gauge the situation:

• Are social situations still sought out or is staying home preferred?
• Is there still a desire to be out in the community?
• Are familiar hobbies and interests still practiced or have they been forgotten?
• Are frequent feelings of loneliness expressed?
• Have previous social networks disappeared with limited opportunities to build new ones?

The ability to socialize while building new relationships is important to maintaining health during the aging process. Social isolation is minimized, leading to other benefits for PACE participants. PACE programs offer opportunities for participants to build new friendships and enjoy social support networks. Enrollment into a PACE program could provide the needed social setting to reduce feelings of isolation amongst the qualifying elderly.

PACE programs are for people over age 55 that quality for nursing home care. Enrollees must be able to live safely in the community with assistance at the time of enrollment. PACE programs offer an adult day care-like environment that provides a wide variety of services. Participants have onsite access to doctors and nurses on a regular basis. These programs provide case management and social services that helps the family manage the care process. Physical and occupational therapy as well as other therapeutic interventions are also available.

Knowing the right questions to ask will result in better answers. Better answers are the basis for better decisions and better decisions ultimately produce better outcomes. Obtaining all the facts by getting all the FAQ’s answered will help to achieve the best outcome possible.

If you have questions about the signs you should be looking for to determine when it’s time for a greater level of care, contact us by clicking here. Our caring team of professionals will be able to help you determine if your loved one is eligible for our care.