Sarasota Senior AdvisorHow do I know my parent can no longer live alone?
Watch for missed medications, falls or near-falls, weight loss or spoiled food, unpaid bills, getting lost while driving, and isolation; any one is a warning, and two or more together usually mean daily help or a move is needed.
A physician's assessment, and if needed an occupational therapy home safety evaluation, gives the family something concrete to discuss.
What are the options in Sarasota and Manatee besides moving?
Paid home care, adult day care, meals and transportation through the Aging and Disability Resource Center, a medical alert system, and moving in with family are the main alternatives; Medicaid home care and PACE are options for people who qualify.
Manatee residents can call Senior Connection Center at 1-800-336-2226 and Sarasota residents the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida at 1-866-413-5337 for local services.
Should my parent move to assisted living or a life plan community?
If daily help is already needed, assisted living fits better, because most life plan communities admit residents into independent living; if your parent is still independent and wants security for later, a life plan community's contract can guarantee access to future care.
How do I start the conversation with my parent?
Start with your parent's goals rather than your worries, name specific incidents, offer two or three options rather than a verdict, and involve the doctor; most people accept a change more readily when they help choose it.
Touring together, without pressure to decide, often does more than any argument.
What if my parent refuses help?
An adult with capacity has the right to make risky choices, so focus on small accepted steps, such as a medical alert device, meal delivery or a few hours of help, and involve the doctor; if your parent is being neglected or exploited, report it to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
If capacity is in question, a physician's evaluation is the first step before any legal action.
How fast can a move to assisted living happen?
Within days if a room is open and the physician's examination is done, but a move planned over a few weeks, with a tour, the contract read at home and the room set up with familiar furniture, usually goes better.
Florida requires a medical examination within the 60 days before admission or within 30 days after.
Sources include Chapters 408, 429 and 651 of the Florida Statutes, Fla. Admin. Code chapters 59A-36 and 65A-2, AHCA, DCF, OIR and Elder Affairs pages, CareScout and VA rate tables as cited above; see our editorial standards.
