99 Year-Old Covers All the Bases
99 Year-Old Covers All the Bases
When 99 year-old Betty found herself in the hospital with a broken hip, she wasn’t surprised when she was told that a nursing home was her only choice. Betty had never married, had outlived all of her family and most of her friends; those friends who survived were elderly and had problems of their own. She had some confusion as a result of the anesthesia, combined with some general disorientation from being in the hospital to begin with — not an uncommon occurrence. She wanted desperately to return home. No one seemed to listen to a confused 99 year old woman.
Enter her attorney and her bank financial trust officer. Betty had chosen wisely when she entrusted her affairs to these professionals. Not only did she have her will in place, but she had advance directives which stated that “at all costs” she wished to remain in her own home. She had a financial plan in place which ensured that her money would be managed and invested wisely on her behalf.
These professionals advocated for Betty, but were repeatedly told by the hospital that there was no other choice. Going home was too risky, to unsafe, too complicated. They contacted Kate McGahan, care manager at CNY Elderplanning to intervene. Two days later, with the help of her team of advocates, Betty returned home. The care manager created a plan of care and coordinated services which included 24-hour nursing care, Medicare services to monitor her condition and to provide physical therapy, and various social and housekeeping services. Betty learned to walk again, the confusion from the hospital lifted and soon she was beginning to resume most of her old schedule. While she could have received the services in a nursing facility, at home she was at peace with herself and rested easier to prepare for the daily demands of rehabilitation.
The important things that Betty did were the following: (1) She carefully selected professionals who would provide expertise with compassion at the same time; (2) She made certain that these people would understand and carry out her preferences and directives; (3) She stated these directives in writing; (4) She planned carefully for a financial future that could pay for her necessary home care services.
Betty celebrated her 100th birthday and continues to live happily in her first and final home. Without the right planning, she may have been lost in the shuffle of the healthcare system. While hospital and community professionals offer support and personal service, these qualities can get buried in the face of efficiency, reimbursement issues, risk management and other factors. It is imperative for everyone who faces aging and the possibility of confusion or incapacity to have desires in writing so that those desires can be respected. Sit down with your family, if you are fortunate enough to have one, and make your wishes known. Seek out respected professionals who can objectively guide you in your decisions– a lawyer, a financial officer, a care manager. Don’t hesitate to include long term care insurance agents and estate planners. It’s never too early to plan for an uncertain future.
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