Good News Tucson - A Family Values Publication

Living Life with Assistance by Tricia Goss

When Charlene's dad had a stroke - his second - her aging mom was no longer able to care for him on her own. Charlene and her siblings came together to help their mother decide what to do. When they resolved to look into assisted living, they felt overwhelmed.

First, Charlene's family needed to decide which assisted living option was best for their parents' situation. Could Mom and Dad make it in an assisted living community? Did Charlene's father need more intensive help, such as the attention provided by an in-home health aide? Or was a nursing home the best option?

The family also had to take into account the costs associated with each of these choices. They didn't know how much, if any, of the cost of their father's care would be covered by insurance. If not, would their parents' retirement funds be enough to cover the cost, along with providing for their mother's needs? Should their mom consider selling their house?

Charlene and her brother and sister felt like the weight of the world was on their shoulders. First, they felt besieged by guilt that their father might have to leave his home of forty years. They also felt inundated by such large, life-altering choices. They all wanted whatever was best for both of their parents. Charlene and siblings were at a loss, not knowing where to turn.

Fortunately, if your family is faced with a tough situation like this, there is help available. Assisted Living Locators is a free service to help you find the right care for your loved one. They can assist you with learning what services are available, and determine the best facility or program for your family.

Nick Puente is the Eldercare Advisor and Executive Director of Assisted Living Locators of Tucson. "Basically, we are a free service that aids families and their loved ones in finding the most appropriate assisted living or senior independent setting," Nick, who has a background in ministry and hospice care, says. "We help prescreen all of the homes and facilities and make sure that these places are safe and meet all the standards necessary to be a quality assisted living option. The homes are the ones who have hired us and this keeps the services free to all our clients. It's similar to a buyer's agent in real estate."

Assisted Living Locators' online Assessment Tool will give you a general idea of which type of assisted living is most suitable for your loved one. Answering multiple-choice questions about aspects such as your loved one's mental status, mobility and health, among other factors, and you will be given a point score. This score will help you gain a general idea of which type of housing is best - from independent senior living to nursing homes and everything in between.

For help finding assisted living across the country, as well as help with payment options, legal services, VA Aid and more, contact Assisted Living Locators by calling 800-267-7816, or online at AssistedLivingLocators.com