Six weeks ago I asked the TLeC community to participate in a survey by Ryan Malone, founder of Inside Assisted Living. The survey was initiated to better understand in which way and to what degree families are prepared for their loved ones’ transition to assisted living.

The results have been tallied and the free Assisted Living Family Preparedness Report has been released.

It is very comprehensive, and here are some of the key findings:

1. An overwhelming majority of survey respondents believe a friend or family member will require assisted living within the next ten years.

2. Respondents’ ability to pay for assisted living is the most frequently cited concern. They also have a self-described poor understanding of the financial aspects of assisted living (such as insurance, costs associated with room and board as well as private caregivers).

3. Families expect to play a major support role in their loved ones’ transition, including selecting a facility close to their homes and their loved ones’ existing medical care.

4. Families’ anxiety with regard to this transition include:

• Feeling guilty if they don’t visit their loved ones enough
• Hearing stereotypes about assisted living and not knowing if they’re true
• Fears their Golden Oldies will resent them, and
• Concerns about how the caregiving burden will impact them and their families

The complete report has more detailed information, graphs and analysis. Go to Inside Assisted Living now and read the free Assisted Living Family Preparedness Report. Learn where you and your family rank on the preparedness continuum.

Inside Assisted Living is a web site with practical information and resources to help you evaluate and prepare for the upcoming transition by your Golden Oldies to assisted living. And even if that occurrence seems way off in the future, it’s never too early to start getting educated about this phase of life. It will make it easier on all family members in the long run.

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The Family Caregivers Communication Class series will continue in a few weeks. We still have lots to talk about.

Photo Credit: scart’s photostream

On Saturday I received an interesting email from Ryan at Inside Assisted Living about an online survey he is conducting on the levels of knowledge, attitudes and preparedness family caregivers have about assisted living. In his words, “this is the only survey of its kind — one that takes a ‘by families, for families’ approach.” (Italics added.)

Who is Ryan?

He is a 36 year old man whose mother had a stroke in 2005 and as a result was thrust into the role of family caregiver overnight. You can read his caregiving story here. I had never heard of Ryan or his blog before, but these words jumped off the page at me:

“While I found much advice on medical conditions and treatment, I found virtually nothing on understanding assisting living. Sure there were some websites that taught you the basics, like “make sure a nurse is on duty” or “make sure the kitchen is clean”. But this is my mom and I wanted far better for her. I wasn’t putting her away, I was giving her assistance.” (Italics added.)

He created his blog to prepare families for the multi-faceted transitions that occur when Golden Oldies move from independent to assisted living. He wants “to share with you some of what I learned in hopes of making it easier for you and your mom, dad, relative or loved one.” Sounds familiar, don’t you think? Of course I wanted to help!

What Can You Do?

Ryan released his Family Attitudes and Preparedness Survey on August 7, 2008 and already has over 130 responses! His goal is to collect several hundred responses over the next 30 days. Ryan will be sending out a report by mid-September with the survey results as a way of thanking those who participate. I took the survey, and it took me exactly 15 minutes to complete — time very well spent in my opinion. Won’t you do the same?

“According to the Coalition to Protect Choice in Senior Living (CPCSL), 84 percent of Americans over the age of 50 expect an immediate family member to move into a senior living community within the next 10 years, while 24 percent over the age of 65 expect the same for themselves.”

This is the link to get more details and/or to take the survey: Family Attitudes and Preparedness Survey

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and give Ryan a hand. If you aren’t in the demographic he is surveying, perhaps you can forward this request to friends, relatives or colleagues who are.

Ryan, welcome to the TLeC community!

And thanks in advance from Ryan and myself!

Warmly,

Linda