What Happens When Both Spouses Require Different Levels of Care, and Are Considering Assisted Living for at Least One of Them?

October 16, 2018 by ·

Mike and Linda were in their early 80s. They had been married for more than 55 years. They celebrated incredible moments in life but were facing extreme challenges as they moved through their Golden Years. They both required some level of support and assistance, but their needs were different from one another. They began looking into assisted living as an option, but they also understood the differences in support they needed.

Assisted Living in Saraland AL: When Spouses Require Different Levels of Care

Assisted Living in Saraland AL: When Spouses Require Different Levels of Care

Michael was requiring more direct medical attention.

Linda was able to take care of herself for the most part, monitoring and managing her own medications. She was still able to get into and out of the shower without too much trouble. Once in a while, she may need assistance, and since Michael was still physically capable of doing a lot of things on his own, he was able to support her, at least until recently.

Due to an accident, Michael had lost a considerable amount of strength in his legs. He had broken his ankle and was ‘out of commission’ for several weeks. Now, it was difficult for him to get into and out of the shower on his own, much less even considering helping his wife.

He also required considerable direct medical attention to keep track of vital stats, and administer certain medications, and take care of a catheter he had implanted. His wife was more than willing to help with many of these things, but she was also struggling on her own.

The challenges they faced in finding a place for both of them seemed to be significant.

However, they began to realize that since Michael didn’t need 24/7 direct medical care, but only a visiting nurse every couple of days to check on things, they could look into an assisted living community together.

The cost of this was considerable, but there was no way they were separating, if they could avoid it. They wanted to remain together for the rest of their lives. Not every assisted living community is going to be able to handle these types of situations, which is why it’s so important to go on a tour.

A quality assisted living community is going to offer seniors and their family members an opportunity to visit on a designated tour. On this tour, those seniors will be able to ask pertinent questions, find out what services are available, and just what kind of direct support those seniors may be able to rely upon, when needed.

If you or an aging loved one are considering assisted living in Saraland, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

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About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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