You may not use the term “continuum” in your everyday conversations. But you are part of a continuum every day, the continuum that is your life.
When we talk about a continuum of care at Timesavers, we are talking about something much more comprehensive than you might envision. Our continuum for a client can begin when someone is in his or her 40s or 50s with some basic assessments and baseline organization of information and resources. This is the foundation, and we all know the importance of a solid foundation.
Now, someone at that age might ask why in the world they need to think about a continuum of care. Care is for emergent and immediate situations. Care is for “old people.” Care is for broken bones and joint replacements and assisted living and memory care.
It’s true. Care is for all those situations. The piece missing from that thought process is the continuum. The piece missing is that in a continuum, each moment and step is built on what has happened before. The more solid your planning foundation as you move through life, the more stable your later continuum will be, and the closer it will be to what you actually want.
What does it mean to build a solid planning foundation? And what does it mean to build upon it throughout the continuum of life? What does it mean to be informed about your choices in order to make good decisions? What does it mean to have someone aligned with advancing your best interests in every facet of your planning?
Let’s take a couple about to turn 50, not thinking at all about what they will do if there is a traumatic or sudden life event, and beginning to plan for the wonderful life they will live in retirement. Planning and preparation for difficult contingencies is the foundation that will allow them to live that wonderful life in retirement.
We aren’t talking exclusively about financial planning and how to pay for things in the future. We are talking about having all vital information collected in one place; being connected to trusted advisors on all fronts; having a centralized resource of knowledge and guidance in order to make informed decisions; and opening up a conversation with family as early as possible about what the roadmap, the continuum, will look like and why.
There is value in life in peace of mind and confidence that comes from knowing you have done everything possible to make your continuum smooth. There is value in knowing you have a plan if the road takes a sudden turn, or as with the pandemic, falls off a virtual cliff.
We recognize after the last months of upheaval and shock that there are choices we had never considered. Perhaps remaining at home with some extra help would be the best plan for your parents. Is there a way to make that happen? What would it look like? Is it safe? How might their overall health be affected? If you are faced with the same situation, have you evaluated the pros and cons of the options available to you?
It may seem as if there are more questions than answers. It may seem too overwhelming to even think about. That’s where Timesavers and Grace In Motion step in. We may not have all the answers, but we certainly understand the questions, have training to give effective guidance and advice, and have built relationships allowing us to help you determine the best resources for your unique circumstances.
In evaluating the continuum, a Care Coordinator holds more than a title. A Care Coordinator has a depth of knowledge and training; a network of relationships with trusted partners; a temperament suited to working well within family dynamics; and patient persistence in achieving a client’s desired goals. Enhancing quality of life is part of the Care Coordinator role, providing a centralized compass to make a client’s life better. Family members can return to enjoying time with loved ones, unencumbered by paperwork and figuring out the logistics of care.
We return to the first question for all of us – what do you want as you age? The starting point is closer than you may have thought. Your guide is here. The continuum moves on. Your roadmap is waiting to be created.
-by Elizabeth Downing
About the Author: Elizabeth Downing is Care Coordinator for Timesavers Concierge, Caregiving & Chauffeur in Bowling Green and Owensboro, Kentucky. A 1982 graduate of WKU, Elizabeth found her passion in advocating and providing care for older adults and those beginning to navigate life’s transitions. Timesavers seeks to raise awareness of issues relating to aging and caring for aging loved ones, and to let people know they are not alone in the journey, while working to provide the highest quality day-to-day care available. Elizabeth is an Aging Life Care™ Professional; a Positive Approach to Care™ Certified Independent Consultant; and has completed a Certificate in Care Management from Boston University. She facilitates a family caregiver support group each month.
