Finding the Right Home

November 2012

When a loved one begins to have trouble caring for him or herself families often have many difficult decisions to make. Finding the right facility to care for a family member can take some effort, but once a loved one finds the right home, everything seems to fall into place.

Mary's four children wanted to find the right home for their 77-year-old mother after she was no longer able to live on her own. She was living in her second community-based residential facility in a few years when she enrolled in Family Care in April 2012.

Mary's Care Wisconsin Family Care team met with her, conducted a thorough analysis of her abilities, and developed an individualized care plan for her. In working with Mary her care team was able to see that the current facility was not necessarily a good match for Mary's care needs and began to look for one that would be.

Her care team explored moving her back home, but that wasn't a possibility. Mary was able to take care of her own personal needs, but needed help managing medications, cleaning, and with some cooking. Her care team worked with Mary and her family, to find another facility that would better match Mary's abilities. Ultimately they settled on a Residential Care Apartment Complex (RCAC) where Mary had her own apartment and could live more independently while still getting the help she needs.

Mary is thrilled with her new apartment, which has a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and sitting area. Mary can entertain guests in the sitting area where she has three chairs for guests. Though she has three chairs, only two are available most of time, she says, since one is saved for her seven-year-old dog Katie.

Finding a place where she could live with her dog was one of the most important things to Mary and the new location is a perfect fit. She is able to take her Chihuahua Katie for walks outside the facility. The dog even lets Mary know when someone is at the door with her medicine, barking even before they knock.

Mary also enjoys taking part in the facility's social activities. One day they may make cupcakes and the next it may be popcorn balls. She also can make her own instant coffee with the microwave in her room.

She also appreciates the coordination from her care team and staff at her RCAC, who helps her organize her doctor's appointments, giving Mary a schedule with information about who is giving her a ride. Mary says the help at the facility is tremendous, if she ever needs anything she is able to request it by pushing a button.

"I like it here real well," she says. "Better than any place I've been yet."

For Mary's family, that brings peace of mind too.