FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 We have clients who range in age from 19 to 90+. We pride ourselves in working with individuals with a wide range of needs including developmental and intellectual disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders and other congenital disorders, serious mental health conditions, all forms of dementia, and other concerns related to aging. 

A Legal Guardian is someone appointed by the courts to make health and safety decisions on behalf of an individual who has been declared legally unable to make these decisions themselves. As a professional guardian, we will assess needs, coordinate services, find appropriate living arraignments, and arrange medical or psychiatric services needed by the individual. We believe that even individuals with guardians should be as involved as possible in their own care decisions.  Therefore, we pride ourselves on listening to our client’s desires and opinions, and providing person-centered care to allow for self-determination within safe boundaries.

A care manager is a professional who is experienced in working with at-risk populations (seniors, people with disabilities, etc), and with the care systems that provide services for such individuals. A care manager will perform a comprehensive assessment of the person’s current services and living situation. This assessment will look at unmet needs, resources, and services available, as well as what is working well. Services to fill in any gaps in care will be recommended with the goal of a client remaining as safe as possible in the least restrictive setting. The care manager will then continue to monitor your loved one and the services provided to help ensure that your loved one remains safe and adequately served in their environment. Ongoing assessments are a vital part of care management, allowing changes in services as needed.  

 A professional care manager is well-familiarized with a wide range of services in the community including medication management, care-giving options, medical care, residential options, etc., which can seem bewildering to the non-professional. The professional care manager is skilled at observing and addressing the many needs of the individual, and linking them to appropriate services. A professional care manager serves as another set of eyes and ears on your loved one, and as the communicator between you, your loved one, and all of the service providers and others involved in your loved one’s care. 

It’s best to involve a care manager as soon as it becomes evident that your loved one needs help. Some “symptoms” to be on the lookout for include:

·  Inability to keep up with housework and meal preparation as before, which may be creating    safety concerns

·  Increasing isolation

·  Unsteady gait/walking and possible fall risk

·  Inability to keep up with finances, bill paying, etc., causing overdrafts among other problems

·  More frequent medical issues than before, including trips to the emergency room.

 A Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA) is document in which you appoint a trusted “agent” to make future health and safety decisions (including end of life decisions) on your behalf, should you become too sick or injured to speak for yourself. Often an individual asks a family member or friend to serve in this capacity. However, if there are no family members or friends you feel comfortable appointing, we would be honored to be your appointed MPOA agent.