Morgan Shares a Recent Sucess Story
When I got a call from the hospital case manager about an emergency respite need, I got right to work. The case manager had already told the family about my services, and they were grateful, but said, "nah we got it". They figured they could get 24/7 home care in the mountains near Blackhawk, no problem. (When in reality, there are not really any agencies that service this area, let alone 24/7 with little notice to plan or hire.) I knew better, I reinforced what the hospital had also told them, this will not happen, please keep looking at other options.
I had sympathy, I knew the family wanted what was best in their mind, but the reality was: They were from another state trying to help remotely. They had no basis of what services exist in Colorado, and they were just trying to do what their loved one insisted upon, "I am going home." To add to the complication, their loved one had dementia and could not care for herself. She was not eating or drinking or taking her medications because she no longer had the capacity to do so. But if you are a caregiver helping from another state, and have no experience in this at all, you resort to, "well let's just do what she wants, let's get her home." This case provided an excellent opportunity for me to educate the family on what their duty is as a Power of Attorney (provide and execute long-term care plan when the individual no longer can), what the reality of living alone with dementia looks like and help them to see that their loved Auntie needed more care or the hospital would be a regular occurrence, not this isolated incident. I spent all week doing just this, sadly, the family just seemed to be stuck or refusing to listen. I was frustrated, but alas, I could only do so much, so I told the family I can offer nothing more. I let the case manager know every step of the way.
I know with my years of experience; I can only give so much energy to cases like this because I can't help people who don't want it!
Low and behold, Friday afternoon, nearly the end of the day, they were ready for my help and now of course we were in a time crunch aka crisis-- I hate crisis mode, but I am no stranger to it.
The beloved Auntie in this story was a mountain gal, liked to be alone, a retired Doctor of Social Work, and intellectual storyteller. I have had other clients like Auntie, and I know, that no matter how much of a loner someone claims to be, there is usually a person or two out there they will connect with and find joy being with. So, I thought and thought, I needed a west-side community, a blend of both assisted living but with memory support, that would also offer respite (a short term stay). Because of course, the family was still primarily focused on getting her home.
The best tool I have in doing this job is experience! I had recalled a community that I had referred another client to, that had offered respite on a weekend and fit all the other requirements-- the moon and the stars aligned and Morrison Manor came to the rescue! The manager assessed first thing early on Monday, and we had Auntie moved over on Tuesday. And my gut was right, Auntie instantly met another intellectual within hours of being there! Both had been professors and connected on many levels. Good job Morrison Manor for making the introduction and knowing their residents well.
Auntie was only moving in for a short-term respite, but she is so happy there, she is starting to feel at home.
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