After seven years in nursing homes, Jack longed to return to his own home.
Jack was an independent-minded 85-year-old man who, after a fall had been living in nursing homes for seven years, but longed to return to the home he still owned. A widower with no children, Jack felt a longing for his house, his neighbors, and the street where he lived.
Jack’s desire became focused after he had resumed paying his bills himself after an argument with his bill payer and realized what it was costing him to live in a nursing home.
Many nursing home residents would like to go home but few have both the financial and physical ability to make that return journey. Although Jack was determined, no one really believed that it would be possible for him to return to the community after being in a nursing home for so long. And Jack had no concept of how logistically difficult it would be to accomplish his wish. He kept saying that all he needed was a telephone and a flashlight, even though he was wheelchair-bound and his house had nine steps up from the street to the front door and two stories above that.
Today, Jack looks healthier than he has in years and is living in the house where he was born, with six hours of home care a day and an emergency call system.
How We Helped Jack Stay at Home Safely
The chaplain at the nursing home had made a strong connection with Jack and wanted him to succeed so he referred him to Joanne, a Care Manager from Your Elder Experts.
At first Jack was suspicious and sent Joanne away. Three months later, he called her back to meet. Over the time they worked together, Jack and Joanne developed a trusting relationship that allowed Jack to accept some help.
Joanne worked with home modification contractors to make the house wheelchair accessible and to allow all of Jack’s living to be on one level. She carefully screened home health aides until she found two who could accommodate Jack’s temperament and challenging personality. Jack now refers to his weekday aide as an “angel on earth.”
Joanne also arranged for a physician to make home visits to ensure that Jack’s medications are monitored. While not quite managing with just a telephone and a flashlight, Jack looks healthier than he has in years and is living in the house where he was born with six hours of home care a day and an emergency call system.
Jack is still frail but with the help of his own Elder Expert he is living life in his own home as he wished.
If you or someone you care about is navigating the complexities of aging, Your Elder Experts can help.
