As eldercare consultants, our top priority at LionHeart Eldercare & Consulting is to help older adults live as independently as possible while still being safe and secure.
We tailor a personalized solution uniquely designed to meet your needs. To do this, our service begins with an assessment to determine personal strengths and areas where extra support might be helpful.
We look at the whole person: Body, mind, heart, and spirit
We discuss personal priorities and preferences. We also look at social and financial resources to create a full and realistic picture of what is possible.
Then we work with you to create a plan
- Save time. Our familiarity with local resources saves you time, and often, money.
- Reduce stress. Our compassionate understanding of the aging process saves you headaches and helps you arrive at the right solution the first time.
Download our brochure and give us a call at 703-677-8319. Let us help you!
Create a plan for peace of mind
Whether you have an immediate need for care, or want to understand what’s available as you think about the future, we help you make a plan. Personal preferences and family resources blend with our understanding of the local resources as we recommend options that will fit within your budget. You gain peace of mind knowing there is a realistic strategy for addressing the challenges of aging.
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Manage and prevent crises
It’s scary to get a call that your parent is in the emergency room. Decisions may have to be made quickly. You may have to drop everything and travel to get to the hospital.
We can help! As eldercare care consultants, we know hospital procedures and can advocate to make sure your loved one gets the best care possible, care that aligns with their values and priorities.
When it’s time for discharge, you may be asked to find a rehab facility on short notice. We know the local facilities. Let us help you choose the one that is best for your situation and smooth the path for an easy transfer.
If you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the medical system, you are not alone! It can be daunting for anyone. We help you clarify questions, and make sure you get answers. We lobby with providers for the type of care you wish to receive. We can help you simplify medications when appropriate, and be sure treatments are in line with personalized goals of care. Because we understand the system, we can go to bat for you as knowledgeable, effective advocates.
In terms of prevention, you may be worried about safety issues in the home. Perhaps a loved one has dementia and is in danger of causing a fire because they forget to turn off the stove. Maybe there are trip-and-fall hazards around the house. You don’t want your relative to break a hip and lose their independence! With a thorough assessment, we can identify potential problems and provide solutions so you don’t get that call from the hospital ER.
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Address memory loss
If you have a relative or loved one with memory loss, there are numerous challenges to face. In the early stages, balancing the need for independence with the need for safety. In the middle stages, coping with emotional outbursts, wandering and irrational behavior. And in the later stages, addressing difficulties with communicating and basic personal care needs. Through all of this we can help you strategize for support that does not leave you feeling stressed and depleted. From communication tips and strategies, to referrals to a care setting best suited to your loved one’s personality and resources, let us be your guide.
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Recommend care options
It may be that the status quo is no longer a safe option, especially after a hospitalization. Having someone come by twice a week to cook a few meals and do some light housekeeping may be all that is needed. Or, it could be that more support is required. The daily presence of a kind caregiver can assure that meals are eaten regularly and medications are taken as directed. We can help you find a reputable service and manage the type of help needed.
If more assistance is required, and it cannot be provided safely or affordably at home, we are happy to make suggestions for long-term care options tailored to your needs and finances. We understand the broad range of services available in the elder care continuum. As a result, we can recommend the local facilities most likely to result in a good fit and positive transition.
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Age-in-place
“There’s no place like home.” Most older adults prefer to stay in the home they are in. With proper supports in place, this is a fantastic option. Let us help you assess current and likely future needs. We can evaluate the home for safety and suggest age-friendly changes. In addition, we can review local services to help you determine eligibility for state, national and local programs.
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Connect with local resources
There are many community services that support older adults, but it’s difficult to find them. If paying for care is a concern, it can be time-consuming to research eligibility requirements. Even if finances are not an issue, how can you assess the quality of the providers? Based on our deep knowledge of the community, we can save you time and energy with referrals to the best match for your situation. From transportation solutions to medication assistance, companionship needs to physical therapy, we know who is the best in your area.
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Prepare necessary paperwork
If there was a sudden need to go to the Emergency Room, do you have all the papers you need to get the emergency team quickly up to speed? Has a health care decision-maker been chosen? Do you have an advance directive in place? Or on the financial side, has a durable power of attorney been designated to handle money matters? What is the plan if managing the checkbook and paying bills becomes too much? Has a will and or trust been established to distribute assets upon passing? We can help you organize your paperwork. And if needed, give you referrals to reputable attorneys, accountants, bill payers and other administrative support professionals. There’s a lot to keep organized in the journey of aging!
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Provide emotional and family support
The aging process brings up many personal and emotional issues within each of us. There are often losses—of friends, career, home, spouse, abilities—and there are changing roles within the family. To be sure, there are many joys and opportunities for deeper connection. But old hurts often rise to the fore and need addressing before the love and intimacy can emerge. As experts in aging well, we can assist you and your family to process these challenges in healthy ways and arrive at a new understanding and appreciation of each other’s needs and strengths.
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