A Word From The Author                   

I have been a nursing home administrator since 1975.  I have worked in both the for-profit and not-for-profit fields.  I have managed nursing homes, assisted living facilities and continuing care retirement communities.  I have also worked as a Senior Manager for a major international accounting firm helping to develop retirement communities throughout the United States.  I have managed many complex situations. I even managed a 400 resident retirement community during a direct hit from Hurricane Andrew, and managed its $27 million reconstruction program.  In all I have worked with over 10,000 seniors and their families.  I tell you this so you can know that I know what I am talking about.

 

I have also been a Trustee and Health Care Surrogate for my parents, who have now both passed away.  So I know how difficult it can be to juggle a career, family and extended family responsibilities long distance.  

 

Most lay people (those with non-medical careers) are overwhelmed with the responsibilities of providing protective oversight to their aging parents.  Even those within the medical community are overwhelmed!  However, especially lay people are overwhelmed with all the legal nuances, terminology, health care options and what to expect that they do not know where to begin, or who to trust.  And it is a role they are uncomfortable with because it is a "role reversal." Let me offer this clue - your parents will be uncomfortable with the role reversal as well. 

 

I bring an insider's perspective and speak in layman terms so you can understand.  I even cover how to bring this topic up with your parents and talk about such subjects as end of life wishes and how are you going to pay for all of this.  These are delicate matters indeed. Without this information and a relationship based on trust, you will likely mismanage the responsibilities. And the one opportunity you have to return the gift of protective oversight will be lost. So I encourage you to roll up your sleeves and prepare yourself because this will be a journey.  You are about to learn a whole lot about your parents, yourself and the senior health care industry.

 

 

 

Raymond Reiss

Nursing Home Administrator,

Founder, CEO, Keep My Parents At Home