For families with aging or elderly parents, the trigger that parents are struggling to care for themselves is often a crisis. Reaching out to help vulnerable elders before difficulties occur may prevent future falls, fractures, accidents or seasonal illness that could mean a trip to the emergency room.
Families typically discuss alternate care options when parents are no longer safe at home and would benefit from full-time care. Why wait until a crisis? At that point, families have little time to research their best options. In some cases families are forced to take what services are available, and not what is ideal for their parent.