I became a caregiver for my mother in 2017, when she moved to Michigan after the death of my sister. It was a big change for both of us at a very challenging time. Mom adjusted well to her new home, and soon made friends with the woman next door. They were both widowed and living alone, so they had a lot in common. They enjoyed chatting on the patio in the afternoons which provided socialization for mom when I couldn’t be there.
As my mother’s health declined over the years, I took on more caregiving responsibilities. Because I have had the benefit of working with the exceptional aging professionals at Area Agency on Aging, I was more prepared than many people to know how to access the care and supportive services mom needed to continue to live at home.
Some of the services that made a difference for us were:
- Care Management, which provides a nurse and/or social worker to help understand mom’s needs and goals, develop a plan to meet those needs and coordinate her care.
- Senior Nutrition Services, which provided a daily hot meal for my mother. The driver would also check on her and call me if she did not answer the door.
- Chore Services, which helped keep my mother’s home clean and clutter-free twice a week. The staff also provided socialization and companionship for my mother while they worked.
- Friendly Callers, which connected my mother with a volunteer who called her weekly for friendly chats and outside connectivity. This was especially helpful during the pandemic, when social isolation was a big risk for seniors.
These services not only made my mother’s life brighter, but also eased my caregiving burden. I am grateful for the aging professionals who helped us along the way, and I hope that more seniors and caregivers can benefit from their support.
As mom’s health declined and care needs advanced, we had to face a difficult decision. Together with mom and my siblings, we chose to move mom to a retirement community in my Indiana hometown where many of my siblings live. This was not an easy choice for mom to make. She loved her Michigan home. But the realities of escalating care needs coupled with the benefits of being closer to a broader group of family and friends in a supportive retirement community environment just made sense.
We were fortunate to have the help of AAA staff and service providers in both states. In Michigan, they made it possible for mom to live independently here for a longer period of time because of their services and supports. They also helped us plan and prepare for the transition. In Indiana, they assisted with exploring housing options and service offerings there. They guided us through the array of options and gave us valuable advice, information and assistance with the transition. They were always respectful and attentive to the most important voice in this conversation, my mom.
That’s not to say it’s been easy. Mom misses her larger home, watching kids in the neighborhood play and the patio-chats with her neighbor. She also misses some of the services and activities that she enjoyed in Michigan. It took her some time to adjust to the new setting and the new people. But with encouragement and support from the retirement community staff, family, friends, and the Indiana aging services support community, she’s finding new opportunities to find joy and continue to live as independently as possible in her new setting.
When you or your loved one is facing escalating care needs or caregiver stress, know that the AAA staff are here to help you know what services and supports are available to help you live in the setting you call home and ease caregiver burden. From light support to a full array of services to meet nursing home-level care needs, they can assist you with finding and accessing the best options for your situation. They can also provide you with emotional support and guidance during challenging times through their in-home counseling service. They are a valuable resource and a trusted partner for caregivers, seniors and younger persons with disabilities.
You can reach your local aging and disability services professionals at 800-654-2810, by email at info@areaagencyonaging.org or online via live chat at www.areaagencyonaging.org.
Christine Vanlandingham is CEO of Region IV Area Agency on Aging in Southwest Michigan. Questions on age or independence services? Call the Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 800-654-2810 or visit areaagencyonaging.org. The Generations column appears each weekend in The Herald-Palladium.