#47 - Inside Senior Living Placement: Guiding Families and Easing Transitions with Janel Small

Summary

In this episode, Jerry Vinci speaks with Janel Small, a certified dementia practitioner and clinical liaison at Allaire Healthcare, about the complexities of senior living. They discuss the emotional challenges families face when transitioning loved ones into care facilities, including caregiver guilt and grief. Janel shares insights on evaluating senior living options, the importance of unannounced tours, and the differences between memory care programs. The conversation also covers the placement process, long-term care insurance, and navigating Medicaid. Janel emphasizes the need for pre-planning and open communication with families to ensure the best outcomes for their loved ones.

Learn More:

Connect with Janel Small Learn more about Allaire Health Services Learn more about West Park Connect with West Park on Facebook

Takeaways

Families often struggle with caregiver guilt when transitioning loved ones to care facilities. It's important for families to tour facilities unannounced to get an authentic experience. Grief can accompany the transition of a loved one into a care facility, even when they are still alive. Advocating for loved ones in a facility is crucial for their well-being. Memory care programs should be evaluated for engagement and support, not just safety. The placement process involves collaboration between hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Long-term care insurance can alleviate financial burdens for families. Medicaid requires careful planning and understanding of financial requirements. Pre-planning conversations with loved ones can ease future transitions. Building relationships with hospitals is key for senior living providers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Janel Small - Certified Dementia Practitioner

03:18 Navigating Family Dynamics in Care Decisions

04:03 The Guilt in Caregiving and Decision Making

06:47 Addressing the Grief of Transitioning a Family Member

08:37 Evaluating Senior Living Facilities

11:03 Understanding Memory Care Programs

12:47 How to Evaluate Memory Care Programs

16:41 Building Relationships with Hospitals

21:01 Helping Families Understand the Levels of Care in Senior Living

23:14 The Role of Long-Term Care Insurance

24:37 Planning for Long-Term Care

26:03 Navigating Medicaid Challenges

31:46 Advice to Anyone Starting their Medicaid Journey

34:00 Personal Experiences in Caregiving

36:21 The Importance of Open Conversations

40:53 Coordinating Continuity of Care

43:14 How Sales and Marketing Can Utilize Team Members to Build Trust

45:40 Future Developments in Senior Care

47:01 Staying Connected with Janel Small