By Brenda Deschner, Certified Senior Advisor at Concierge Care Advisors
This time of year is always a struggle for me. Mainly because it was the day before Thanksgiving that I received that call. The one where the hospital calls and says you need to be here as soon as possible; we believe your mother had a stroke and it doesn’t look like she will make it. Only I was 4,000 miles away. I made travel arrangements and one hour before my flight, I got the news. My mother didn’t have a stroke. She was in end stage metastatic lung cancer. It had traveled to her spine, kidney’s, liver, and brain. They told me that when I got there they will go over all the test results, but have declared her incompetent and that she had approximately two weeks to live and explained that I was to find a nursing home for her to pass in.
No one ever expects to get this call, and when your loved one has no living will, no will, no Power of Attorney it makes it that much more drastic. I was faced with making decisions that I never thought I would have to make, all while realizing I was losing my Mother. I was so lost and confused and I questioned every decision I made.
After this experience, I began my career in the Senior Industry. Every time I walk into a hospital, emergency room or someone’s home, I remember how I felt. I want to be the person who makes this process easier for the families I work with. That way they know they are not alone and have a support person to guide them in the right direction for their loved one.
I want to give thanks to Concierge Care Advisors, for giving us constant support and education that we as Advisors may use to educate and direct our clients to a safe and loving care environment.
Most of all I want to give thanks to the families that put their trust in me and allow me into their lives, to help with their loved ones. I will always treat you with dignity and respect.
