April 14th, 2014 1:23 PM
At this point you are likely looking for a LTC facility. Start the process earler rather than later as it does take time and there is a waiting list. I have observed and as was our case found that the time to enter the system was with a CRISIS. This isn't someting you plan and it could be the caregiver being hospitalized, a sudden change in your loved ones personality, etc. In my case my wife quit talking and started standing at the front door putting on her coat and boots and opening and closing the front door non stop. I called Alberta Health Link as my resource and spoke to them. After some discussion I was told to take my wife to the emergency. Looking back, I should have just gone to the emergency without calling AHL.
She was hospitalized and as I had earlier contact with our case worker it meant there was one less issue to deal with on our journey. Now, this is important, repeat IMPORTANT. When we were entering the system I said I will take anything that becomes available. AHS will place you in a range of about 85 KM's from your home. It was 100KM when we did it but I understand it has been lowered. I just spoke to a gentleman I mentor in Okotoks. He only wanted to be in that community. When a bed came up a distance away AHS asked if he would consider it. He said 'No'. As a result he is now at the bottom of the list again. Take the first bed that is offered to you regardless of where it is. I live in Red Deer, one of my fellow caregivers had their loved one placed in Rocky Mountain House. They wanted to be in RD. They took their loved one out and unpacked their stuff. The wife had breakfast the next morning. AHS called and said bring her to RD a bed has opened up. This happened because he was in the sysyem and a top priority. It was extremly unusual. I have heard of it taking 2 weeks and I have also heard of it taking a couple of months because the caregiver wanted their loved one in a particular facilty within a city with about 5 or 6 facilities. If they had of just named their city it might not have taken as long.
In our case, we did really well and got in Symphony Aspen Ridge which was a 5 star facility so we didn't have to relocate once we were in the system. In the case of the gentleman I mentor he is being told a bed will open up in High River at a brand new facility. Okotoks to High River is not a long way and her feels he will leave her there. Sometimes, if it is not close to your home and does require a little drive it gives you the opportunity to clear your head betweenm the LTC and your home. Hopefully, you don't take your issues in the house with you! Been there done that!
God Bless the caregivers because placement of your loved one is stressful but rewarding once it occurs!
Dean in Red Deer