Crisis Intervention – There When You Need Us

A crisis, such as a sudden medical event, can happen when no plan is in place to deal with the choices that must be made with little time to investigate the options. Our care managers are especially useful in these circumstances. We can mobilize rapidly in crisis situations.

Speed and communication are key, and at Elder Care Consultants, we work hard to keep accurate information flowing among the family members – no matter how scattered – and the professional care team.

Here’s an example.  An individual may suffer a fall or a stroke, for example, requiring an emergency room assessment and a hospital stay. While it may seem that the patient will remain in the hospital until he or she recovers fully, discharge from the hospital may come more suddenly than was expected. The hospital may demand a quick decision on choosing a rehab facility without much guidance other than providing a list of local facilities.

Families are left with a myriad of questions:  What are your rights?  How can you quickly evaluate the quality of the options offered by the hospital discharge planner? What does Medicare and Medicaid cover in such a circumstance? What about long-term care insurance?  How can the home be prepared and necessary home care services be set up if the patient is discharged to home rather than a facility?

At ECC, we have established relationships with hospital and facility staff and can easily advocate for our client and quickly develop a solid plan for immediate and short-term care.  This can be followed by an assessment of longer-term goals and options. We know the facilities in the area and can help you evaluate the differences. If our client needs additional help at home, we can facilitate having a care team set up and the home prepared prior to their discharge.

Crises can also occur when home or facility-based care is already in place, often with a sudden change of medical condition.   Again, Elder Care Consultants care managers are prepared to step in to work with you to make the necessary changes to the care plan.