CARE WITH COMPASSION & COMPANIONSHIP

FAQ

(Frequently Asked Questions)

What happens if my brother wants to go outside?

            We will make sure he is wearing clothing suited for the weather, and if he is able, he may go for a walk, sit on the patio, or rest under the pine trees.  We might invite him to come to a horse show or for a drive to the pasture to watch the horses being fed.

How often can I check on my mother?

            You can visit anytime, and call anytime.  We will be happy to share with you how your mother is doing, and you can speak directly with her too.  Arrangements can be made for you to spend the night or join us for a meal if you can.

Will my aunt have to stay in her room most of the time?

            No.  She may stay in her room whenever she would like, but there are usually activities going on which she can enjoy.  Usually we spend time on the patios, weather permitting.  She can eat snacks whenever she would like, watch television, be entertained by the horses and dogs, quilt, or sit and read.  We always have small dogs around for her to pet and hold.

Will you charge extra for everything you do for Mother?

            No.  We will provide all of her meals and snacks; 24 hour oversight; monitoring of medications; all of her usual toiletry items (including soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and incontinence items); housekeeping services; laundry of personal clothing; fresh linens and towels, BBQ on Friday nights, and outings into town. 

Will Mom have to get up at a certain time and go to bed at a certain time?

            We want your Mom to feel at home with her schedule, because this is her home.  If she wants to sleep in, she has earned that right.  If she is a night-owl, that’s OK too, because we want her to keep the routines she likes. 

Mom hates being cold.  How will you make sure she stays warm?

            We keep a wood fire burning in wood stoves in both the front house and the back house all winter long.  The fire smells good, and she can safely watch while enjoying the warmth.  The dogs generally are sprawled out near the hearth enjoying the heat too.  If her doctor allows, she can have a heated blanket on her bed.  Her bedroom will be warm, and the morning sun beams into our living room.

What activities will you provide for Dad?

            We are committed to allowing your dad to “age in place.”  If he enjoys early breakfast and a jaunt into town to chat with the farmers and ranchers, that would be fine.  If he likes reading the paper and doing crosswords, we’ll probably join him.  We’ll take him to the library if he’d like, and he can go to church if he’d like.  If he likes to go for walks, we’ll walk with him.  If he wants to talk, we can hang out and talk.  He probably would enjoy hearty meals.  We are committed to his well being and will treat him with patience and the respect he deserves.

What do people like best about this place?

            We offer practical solutions and personalized service because of our understanding of dementia and our commitment to maintaining each resident’s self-esteem and dignity.  We allow them to “age in place” without ever having to move to a nursing home.  We have fun outings into town for lunches, treats and lattes, and to pastures for our horses.  We’re here to help them, while relieving the family of the strain of constantly caring for someone.  The families are then able to have relaxing time with their loved ones, knowing that the care they want for their loved one is being carried out.  Once they are here, they understand that we genuinely care about them and are sensitive to their needs, so a lot of their anxiety disappears. 

General questions your family members may have about dementia. 

             The Mayo Clinic has a great deal of information on this.  Here is a link to an article that was helpful to me.