At a glance To Elder-Advisor dignity is paramount. Needs and wishes must be respected if one is to be respected in return. And getting there can be a fun adventure. Well being is certainly the most abstract of the triumverate of Health, Wealth and Well Being. One hears catch phrases such as “quality of life” and “dignity”; but these are assessable and accessible. Some are self evident upon the first visit, others elusive and only learned over time through observation and properly placed questions. Well Being can mean adjustments to the home, diet and exercise, companionship and delivering discernable progress towards a common vision. Elder-Advisor seeks to provide the finest quality goods and services attainable and beyond anything else, deliver what is suitable and desired by the elder. Daily needs, wants and wishes are to be respected and fulfilled.

An Elder’s well being can also mean happiness and peace of mind derived from lack of worry. This may sound obvious, but if one feels reasonably healthy and is also confident that money matters are okay, then these items alone can increase one’s well being. Simply knowing things are being properly looked after by Elder-Advisor can help provide confidence and comfort to the entire family. Elder-Advisor can also contribute to the range of options available. Sometimes a solution is overlooked only because “who would take care of doing something like that?” Simply put, Elder-Advisor would take care of something like that. Elder-Advisor can facilitate ideas that otherwise might not be considered possible. The strategy of Comprehensive Elder Planning and Management is typically a three stage process: 1. The first 18 months or so of organizing and elevating of Health, Wealth and Well Being 2. The ongoing monitoring of health, wealth and well being. 3. And the last process of settling the estate and carrying out wishes.

In Depth

Elder-Advisor believes each strategy and solution is as individual as the person. There is no ‘one size fits all’ plan. Certainly there are certain standards to be met; but if you have read this far, you know that Elder-Advisor is about meeting and exceeding standards. Elder-Advisor delivers exemplary quality to families and elders that have the ability to discern the difference. In order to convey our thoughtfulness, thoroughness and flexibility, the following scenario is presented:

A Scenario: The Trigger Event
This is an outline representing an actual case. The times and priorities are flexible and not written in stone. Elder-Advisor uses 18 months only as guideline.

The first 18 months
Three phases, each approximately 6 months:
Months 1-6: Adjusting to a new independent life and evaluating health, wealth and well being.
Months 7-12: Evaluating and strategizing major changes.
Months 13-18: Completing changes and attending to quality of life details.

A trigger event is a crisis that requires a period of adjustment, the protection of assets and the preservation of dignity. Personal recovery from a trigger event tends to be most fragile and critical. It places stress on almost all aspects of the individual, the family and the estate.

Months 1-6: Adjusting
The months following a trigger event can be volatile. Understandably, one’s emotions may be a mix of grief, relief and confusion. It seems one pressure is lifted, only to be replaced by many new ones. Change can be difficult at any age, profound change even more so, especially when a husband and wife have been together for 50 years. For the first few months it is best to simply breathe and adjust. No major changes or decisions. Take the time needed to find one’s footing.

Elder-Advisor is a tremendous help during this period by making the adjustment as easy as possible. First is just simply being there, the comfort of a regular presence and a shoulder to lean on if necessary. Elder-Advisor helps manage the outside world by handling logistics, home needs, making travel arrangements and assisting with the many legal, financial and medical issues. Elder-Advisor also keeps concerned family members up to date. The elder is encouraged to keep active by participating.

Months 1-6 is when Elder-Advisor is very hands on. Substantial amounts of time are spent in-home, gathering and organizing the information and resources for Team professionals. Elder-Advisor’s work relieves the demands of research and delivery from the elder. This can be a real time saver, stress reducer and provides additional peace of mind. As always Elder-Advisor maintains complete confidentiality while carefully preparing these lists. It is hoped that the elder will be engaged in this process by helping to orient and guide.

Rare is the case where a catastrophic event does not have a financial impact. Elder-Advisor carefully monitors changes in expenditures. It is also an excellent time to introduce and establish technologies for communication, safety, daily money management, investment tracking and entertainment.

Although this summary is far from complete, hopefully the strategy of Comprehensive Elder Planning and Management is now evident. Elder-Advisor can be the missing element that provides peace of mind, flexibility and the answers than can provide relief from emotional stress.

Months 6-12: Strategizing major changes
By now hopefully the dust has settled. Of course there are still difficult days; but a routine and a renewed sense of independence has been established. Paramount to every person is the dignity of self sufficiency.

But choices that seemed sound a few months ago may not seem as attractive and may need to be re-evaluated. This is an excellent time to look towards the future and determine what, if any, major adjustments might be made. It is important for family and friends to contribute to the vision of the elder’s sunset years.

A good example of a major change is considering relocation. Experts agree staying in one’s home for as long as possible is to be desired. But the original residence may now seem like ‘too much house’, or an island of loneliness in the City. Moving to a more active social environment may actually seem attractive. Whatever the reason, this is a huge decision and all options should be explored. Which means making the tours to see what is out there. Elder-Advisor will steer the process by making appointments, arranging transportation and accompanying and documenting the tours. Then if relocation is desired or required, Elder-Advisor will handle the logistics and management of your choices. Should the decision be to stay put, Elder-Advisor will arrange and manage any Occupational Therapists, home safety experts, contractors, interior decorators, whatever is required and desired to make the home as safe and enjoyable as possible for the elder.

Months 13-18: Completing changes and attending to quality of life details
Again flexibility is key and the general parameter of these months is not written in stone.

After settling for the first 6 months and evaluating for months 6-12, a year has gone by. Chances are it has been a very fast year. Undoubtedly there have been many changes and major moments. Several decisions regarding health wealth and well-being may have been implemented during the second 6 month period. But a routine and a sense of continuity and happiness have been established. Social life has returned to normal and life is as active as is comfortable for the elder.

All things being equal, now is the time to put into action any remaining major changes. It may be an important elective surgery, a rebalancing of assets, the relocation to an Independent Living facility or into the home of a son or daughter. Whatever you and your professionals have decided upon, now is the time to finish the job of reinvention and to let Elder-Advisor tend to the details of well being.

Often its the little things that make life just a little bit better. Quality of Life often means getting all the details just right. Again Elder-Advisor is there to assist and manage it all. Making certain any staff that has been brought on board fits well with the elder. Making certain Doctors, health insurance, prescriptions are properly managed. In short, making certain daily living is as active, pleasant, trouble free and as full of life as possible. Age brings many challenges and Elder-Advisor is continues to help the elder adapt.

After the first 18 months: Monitoring
This point in time may actually be more or less than eighteen months.

After the major organizing and decision making, it is important to continue to maintain one’s quality of life and dignity. Elder-Advisor continues to support and monitor any health, budget and legal changes. Also making certain strategies are working as planned and fine tuning as needed. Elder-Advisor continues to be a part of the picture by continuing working with bankers, CPA, Attorneys and the like, attending to tax preparation and keeping on budget. Of course Elder-Advisor also makes frequent phone calls and visits to the elder.

And into the future it is expected there will be times of change. Elder-Advisor will be there to assist and support. So Elder-Advisor doesn’t go away; but hopefully has become a welcome and integral element of the elder’s and family’s ongoing life.

When Elder-Advisor can help no more
Difficult as it is to face, Elder-Advisor advisor will lose all of its clients to mortality. Because Elder-Advisor has prepared for and organized the Estate for this eventuality, the process of carrying out the wishes of the deceased can be assisted by us. After all we are very familiar with your documents and have ongoing relationships with your professionals to help efficiently speed an estate’s closure. This in turn, allows family members turn to Elder-Advisor to help carry the massive amount of work entailed in this often somber time.

Again, if it sounds like a lot of work … it is because it is a lot of work. Let Elder-Advisor do the work for you. I hope this conveys our thorough and painstaking methodology. It is why I call it Comprehensive Elder Planning and Management.