You're Facing an Impossible Decision
Your parent can't live alone safely anymore. The hospital is pushing for discharge tomorrow. Your siblings disagree on what to do. You're overwhelmed by options: assisted living? Nursing home? Memory care? Home health? And how do you pay for any of it?
I've guided hundreds of Colorado families through this exact situation. Let me help you make the right choice.
The Elder Care Questions That Keep You Up at Night
🏥 "Is assisted living right, or do they need a nursing home?"
Assisted living provides help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medications) but not 24/7 medical care. Nursing homes provide skilled nursing. Memory care specializes in dementia. Choosing wrong means moving them again in 6 months—traumatic and expensive. I'll assess their actual needs and match them to the right level of care.
💰 "How do we pay for this? It costs $6,000-$10,000 per month!"
Most families can't afford $8,000/month indefinitely. We explore ALL options: VA benefits, long-term care insurance, Medicaid planning, home equity conversion, family support systems, and community resources. There's always a solution—but you need to know where to look.
🏠 "Which facilities are actually good? The online reviews are all over the place."
After 15 years working in Colorado elder care, I know which facilities provide excellent care and which ones to avoid. I know which have the best dementia programs. Which have the cleanest track records. Which truly care about residents vs. which just collect checks. This insider knowledge is invaluable.
👨👩👧👦 "My siblings can't agree on anything. How do we make a decision?"
Family conflict is normal when making care decisions. One sibling lives nearby and sees the daily struggles. Another lives out of state and doesn't see it. One wants to honor "Mom would never want to be in a home." I facilitate these conversations, present objective assessments, and help families reach consensus based on what's actually best for your parent.
⏰ "The hospital wants to discharge Mom tomorrow. We have 24 hours to decide!"
Hospital discharge pressure is real—and dangerous. They need the bed. But discharging someone to the wrong setting causes readmissions, injuries, and trauma. I help you navigate discharge planning, push back when necessary, find emergency placement options, and ensure safe transitions. I've done this hundreds of times.
How Torchlight Advocacy Helps You Find the Right Care
1️⃣ Comprehensive Needs Assessment
I assess your parent's actual care needs across all dimensions—not just what they say they need, but what's required for safety and quality of life.
- Medical conditions and medication management needs
- Mobility and fall risk assessment
- Cognitive status (memory, judgment, safety awareness)
- Activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, toileting)
- Social and emotional needs
- Current support system and family capacity
- Financial resources and payment options
2️⃣ Level of Care Determination
Based on the assessment, I recommend the appropriate care setting:
Home Care ($20-35/hour)
Non-medical help with daily activities. Works if family provides oversight and medical needs are minimal.
Assisted Living ($2,500-4,500/month)
Help with activities of daily living, meals, medication management. For those who need support but not 24/7 medical care.
Memory Care ($4,000-7,000/month)
Specialized dementia care with secure environment, structured activities, and staff trained in dementia care.
Nursing Home ($6,000-10,000/month)
24/7 skilled nursing care for complex medical needs, rehabilitation, or end-of-life care.
3️⃣ Facility Selection & Tours
I provide curated recommendations based on your needs, budget, and location preferences—plus insider knowledge about quality of care.
- 3-5 facility recommendations matched to your needs
- What to look for during tours (red flags and green flags)
- Questions to ask staff and current residents/families
- How to interpret inspection reports and complaint histories
- Negotiating contracts and understanding fine print
- Optional: I can join you on tours to ask the tough questions
4️⃣ Financial Planning & Payment Strategy
Care is expensive. We create a realistic payment plan using all available resources:
- Private Pay: How long can savings last?
- Long-Term Care Insurance: What does your policy actually cover?
- VA Benefits: Aid & Attendance for veterans (up to $2,431/month)
- Medicaid Planning: Asset protection strategies and spend-down plans
- Home Equity: Reverse mortgages, selling, or renting
- Family Contributions: Fair and sustainable cost-sharing
5️⃣ Transition Support & Ongoing Advocacy
Moving a parent to care is emotional and complex. I help ensure smooth transitions and ongoing quality care.
- Transition planning and timeline
- What to bring, what to leave behind
- How to help your parent adjust emotionally
- Monitoring care quality after admission
- When and how to escalate concerns
- Ongoing communication with facility staff
- 30 days of email/phone support after placement
Elder Care Planning Service: $350
Comprehensive assessment, facility recommendations, financial planning, and ongoing support
What's Included:
- 90-minute comprehensive needs assessment
- Level of care determination and recommendations
- 3-5 curated facility recommendations
- Tour preparation and what to look for
- Financial planning and payment strategies
- Contract review and negotiation guidance
- Transition planning and timeline
- Written report to share with family
- 30 days of email/phone support
Why Families Choose Torchlight for Elder Care Planning
🏆 15+ Years in Colorado Elder Care
I've personally placed hundreds of Colorado seniors in care facilities. I know which ones deliver on their promises and which ones don't. I've seen facilities at their best and worst. This experience is priceless when you're making one of life's most difficult decisions.
🎯 No Referral Fees or Kickbacks
Many "elder care consultants" get paid by facilities to steer you their way. I don't accept referral fees. Ever. My only interest is finding the RIGHT placement for YOUR parent, even if it's not the facility that would pay me a commission.
💡 I've Lived Through Family Conflict
Elder care decisions tear families apart. I facilitate difficult conversations, present objective information, and help families reach consensus. I've mediated hundreds of these discussions—I know how to get everyone on the same page.
🚨 Crisis Response Available
Hospital pushing for discharge tomorrow? Recent fall or emergency? I offer expedited crisis assessments within 24-48 hours. When you need help NOW, I'm here.
📚 Free Elder Care Resources
Don't Navigate This Alone
Making the wrong elder care decision costs thousands in moves, causes family conflict, and puts your parent at risk. Get expert guidance from someone who's done this hundreds of times.
Comprehensive Elder Care Planning: $350
Assessment + Recommendations + Financial Planning + 30 Days Support