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I have been reading a number of articles that sing the praises of senior move management companies. During the past several years there has been a huge influx of people entering into this aspect of the senior living industry. These organizations don’t act as the actual movers. They are actually general contractors who will hire the moving company, sort out which items the senior will take to their new home, and donate the excess items to charity.

As a senior living advisor who has been in the business for seven years, I know which organizations are reputable. pleas be advised that there is currently no organization who grants accreditation to these organizations and there is no “good housekeeping seal of approval.” I encourage you to do your due diligence in researching these organizations lest you have an experience like the one I will relate in my Real Life Story.

Real Life Story

I attained the designation of Certified Care Manager issued through the National Association of Certified Care Managers. I can help by acting as a neutral third party when difficult family issues involving a senior arise and connect people with appropriate medical and non-medical services.

Here are some of the services that I generally provide in order to assist the families of seniors:

1. I meet with the senior and their family in order to perform an assessment of the senior’s cognitive and functional capabilities. I also assess his/her physical environment and support systems.

I was recently contacted to conduct a placement for a gentleman who has alcoholic dementia, also known as Wernicke-Korsakoff’s syndrome. The affect of years of chronic alcohol abuse causes loss of short-term memory. The disease usually affects men between the ages of 45-65 who have a history of heavy drinking. The disease affects women too, and the age group is normally younger than men.

You can’t actually diagnose the disease until after the individual quits drinking for a period of several weeks so that the affects of intoxication or withdrawal can subside. Normally, a number of tests will follow including those that are medical and psychological. If the condition continues to worsen, a diagnosis of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s may follow.

When you are faced with a crisis situation, like the instance I will share in my Real Life Story,

Intermediate care is a level of nursing care available for those seniors who are in need a little bit more care than what is provided in assisted living communities. Yet, it provides a level of are that is lower than what is provided in a skilled nursing home. Here is a brief explanation of what each level provides to the senior:

Assisted living – The senior needs help with his/her activities of daily living (ADLs) meaning bathing, dressing, walking, toileting, transferring, and eating. The care is normally standby assistance. However, hands on care is available at some communities for an additional charge.

Intermediate care – The senior needs hands on help with some of his/her activities of daily living and needs 24 hour supervision with a nursing home staff present. S/he doesn’t require skilled nursing care yet.