By Linda Novosel, CMC, Care Manager and Jill Summerscales, Regional Executive Director, Naples

Mrs. Peterson, in her early 70s, has early-onset dementia and has been a client for about 3 years.

For more than a year, Mrs. Peterson’s daughter would call SeniorBridge to ask about services and get advice, but she could not afford to pay for her mother’s care. Her mother insisted there wasn’t any need for help.

Despite a strained relationship, the daughter felt responsible for her mother’s safety and care. When she knew that she could no longer put off care management services, she contracted SeniorBridge for a limited amount of care.

Mrs. Peterson was living on her own in a condominium. She was no longer able to cook, pay bills or look after her finances. She would take repeated walks in the neighborhood each day, forgetting that she already had walked. Two seasonal neighbors kept an eye out for her, but off-season, Mrs. Peterson was alone and at risk of wandering, financial exploitation and self-neglect.

Our involvement started as monthly visits and increased over time. Linda Novosel, Mrs. Peterson’s care manager, was introduced as a “friend” of the neighbors to gain entrance and begin a relationship. After her visits, Linda would report back to the daughter about what was really happening in order to create a plan to meet Mrs. Peterson’s care needs. Linda took Mrs. Peterson grocery shopping and occasionally accompanied her to some doctor appointments, but Mrs. Peterson was always unable to follow through.

As things deteriorated, a pre-need guardianship was established, and Mrs. Peterson’s daughter became Power of Attorney. A financial advisor, attorney and trust officer all coordinated the client’s affairs successfully with Linda.

When Mrs. Peterson could no longer live on her own, Linda arranged for her to move to an assisted living facility (ALF). The adjustment was difficult, and Mrs. Peterson became a risk to leave on her own. Even with private duty caregivers around the clock, she suffered a rapid decline in cognition, including aggressive outbursts, severe agitation and threats of suicide. Regrettably, she had to be committed to a psychiatric hospital where she stayed for about a month.

When Mrs. Peterson returned to the ALF, she was moved to a secured dementia unit. She was not ambulatory and rarely alert. And, despite the care manager working closely with the psychiatrist, primary care physician and facility staff to manage medications, Mrs. Peterson’s agitation continued. After breaking a window, it became clear that she needed to be moved to a dementia-specific facility for more advanced patients.

The new facility proved to be a significant turning point for Mrs. Peterson. Linda worked closely with the in-house psychiatrist and medical staff for several months to manage Mrs. Peterson’s medications until she was calm, alert and no longer a threat to herself or others. She also helped set up and implement appropriate socialization and daily activities.

Mrs. Peterson adapted beautifully, and Linda visits her weekly. She is calm, participates in activities and has gained 22 pounds. Her daughter has peace of mind knowing that Senior- Bridge is always there for her mother. Now, when Mrs. Peterson’s daughter visits, it appears that their relationship, which had them estranged for years, is beginning to heal.