Navigating the Maze of Senior Care: 6 Red Flags You MUST Know

Is your parent or loved one considering a move to a care facility? Are they already residing in one? Your Eldercare Success host, Nancy May, gives you an eye-opening podcast episode with guest Justine Bykowski, a gerontology expert who has spent much of her career working with the University of Michigan Health System. 

This episode sheds light on the often-overlooked issues that can severely impact the well-being of care facility residents – our parents and loved ones. You’ll also learn about the six red flags that you absolutely want to be aware of when evaluating care environments for your elderly parents. These red flags are essential in ensuring that your loved ones receive the care and dignity they deserve and that you, as a caregiver, can sleep well each night.

Six Red Flags:

This Eldercare Success episode emphasizes the importance of families being proactive, informed, and vigilant in monitoring the care their loved ones receive. You’ll also get invaluable insights on identifying the six red flags, what questions to ask facility staff, and how to advocate for better care.

Key Takeaways:

• Importance of service plans and when to reevaluate them
• Why you need to know about Medication Administration Records (MAR)
• Researching resident protection and safety lapses
• Learning about how staffing can pose a risk to your parent or loved one
• Simple, or not so simple, importance of food quality and dining experience
• Other often overlooked indicators of overall care

This podcast is a must-listen if you have a loved one in a care facility. It could mean the difference between a good day and living with caregiver regrets for a long time to come. 

Don't wait until it's too late - tune in now and learn how to become a powerful advocate for your parent or an elderly loved one's well-being in care facilities. Your vigilance could make all the difference.

🔑 Eldercare Success Episode Links & Resources:

• Six Red Flags to know about when working with a care home.
• Recommended fall detection tools are fall calls and emergency door open locks.
• Podcast: Eldercare Success (please share with those you care about)
• Book: How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, and After
• Eldercare Success on YouTube
• Eldercare Success, here is a link to ask Nancy a question: A small blue tab on the right side of the page says "Send a Voice Mail Message to Nancy." Click on that and follow the directions on the pop-up. Then send me your comments and questions so I can answer them on the show.

Guest: Justine Bykowski is a leading advocate for older adults. Her career is dedicated to gerontology and adult education. Her work empowers seniors and their families to navigate the complexities of long-term care, from making informed decisions to advocating for their rights.

Justine's impactful career spans academia, where she spearheaded educational programs and collaborated with diverse institutions, and public service, where she championed consumer protection initiatives for seniors choosing care residences. Her unwavering dedication continues as she advocates for legislative improvements to enhance senior care and safety. Justine's exceptional contributions are recognized through prestigious awards and her ongoing leadership in the field.

Host: Nancy A. May has managed caregiving from both the Boardroom to the Emergency Room while supporting the wellbeing of her aging parents. Today, she teaches and advises business owners, corporations, and individual families on how to navigate and improve the quality of elder care with more strength and confidence. Nancy is the five-star author of How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  and an award-winning expert in managing the complexities of caring for an aging parent or family member, even from over 1200 miles away, or more. For a Free File-of-Life to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC and the private FaceBook group Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be taken as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek advice from your own personal medical, legal, or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2024 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved. CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.