Chicago Senior Living Advisors Blog

In my last blog post, I talked about my client who is an 86 year old woman and is currently experiencing some issues with her teeth. Here is a summary of the story, some details that I didn’t share in the last blog, and how it ended.

As her Power Of Attorney For Health Care and senior living advisor, I had eagerly arranged for her to see the dentist who visited the assisted living memory care community where she resides. The upper denture had fallen out of her mouth. The nurse at the facility told me that it was a problem that needed to be addressed by a dentist.

After I arranged a visit with the dentist who serviced the facility, I was told by him that the remaining teeth in my client’s upper gums were all infected. The infection could spread to other parts of her body. When he discussed his treatment plan, I perceived them to be extremely complex. He wanted to extract 9 of her upper teeth (himself), conduct 9 house calls, complete two cleanings, and build a new upper denture. When I reviewed the pre-treatment plan he sent me, I was mortified when I saw the bottom line price was $7,800.

I am currently in the process of assisting one of my clients who is having issues with her teeth She is 86 years old. I was appointed as her Power of Attorney For Health Care. Recently, the nurse at the assisted living community where she resides informed me that her upper bridge had fallen out. It wasn’t something that could be fixed with a tube of Poligrip. It may have fallen out due to her experiencing some weight loss.. The nurse said she needed to see a dentist. I thought it was fortunate that the assisted living community had just announced the appointment of a new dentist who would visit the community, rather than having the resident travel to his office. Because it seemed so convenient and I didn’t want to agitate her by transporting her to the office, I quickly made an appointment.

After a conversation with the dentist, I requested a pre-treatment estimate for the future dental work. I was told that he was unable to do further work at the assisted living community because a set of x-rays needed to be taken. Furthermore, she had 9 teeth on the top that needed to be extracted. Her lower teeth needed to be deep cleaned. He wanted to build a new upper denture and charge for two adjustments. The bottom line costs would be close to $7,700. My heart sank when I saw the figure.

I called the dentist and asked if there was any financial relief available in his figures. His answer was that he could offer a payment plan but no rate reduction.

Many of my clients have asked me if they are making a mistake by “preparing too soon,” for a senior loved one’s life changes. My response is you can avoid an emotional and financial crisis by educating yourself with regard to the options for your loved one. Please read the following “Real Life Story” to learn what one of my clients experienced when they were forced into a “rush” decision.

Real Life Story

My clients are a woman and her elderly parents. There is a large age difference between the parents. One is in his/her mid-nineties, while the other is in his/her early eighties. The older of the two parents is totally independent and functioning very well. Unfortunately, the younger parent has dementia, can walk without any assistive devices, and recently began wandering. When a person with dementia wanders once, they will do it again. The parent had held a very prestigious job and was able to talk to me about past responsibilities.

Sometimes you must face the fact that you are in denial about your senior loved one’s needs. I am sharing the following Real Life Story with you to emphasize that point.

My clients are a family of ten children who attended my, “Senior Living Myths Unmasked,” presentation over three years ago. Their elderly Mother was living alone in a large home. At that time, she had been diagnosed with early onset dementia. The children were divided in their opinions on whether to keep their Mother at home with a caregiver or seek placement in a long term care community. After countless conversations with them, they decided to hire a caregiver on a part-time basis.

The family contacted me recently to advise them on their Mother’s situation which had changed dramatically. The caregiver was helping their mother on a full-time basis. Her finances had changed drastically. Reportedly, she was down to her last $30,000. She owed no money on her home, but the house was not on the market to be sold.