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CALLING A PLACE 4 MOM

August 13, 2025

A PLACE FOR MOM

Several years ago, when I began this Caregiving Journey, I called “A Place for Mom.”

I spoke to a woman whom I didn’t know and never spoke to again for over an hour. During that conversation she gave me a wealth of information. More information than I could use or digest at that moment.

She reviewed the different Levels of Care and differences in the Care Facilities.

She talked to me at length regarding the financial implications for my Mother and gave me valuable information on the costs of care.

She mentioned programs that I should investigate to determine whether or we qualified for any financial aid. There actually are such programs but they are buried way beneath the fine print and surrounded by red tape.

When our conversation began, I became well aware that there was so much information that I might need further assistance.

According to their Website, The primary mission of A Place for Mom is…

We enable caregivers to make the best senior living decisions for their loved ones by offering:

Deep knowledge and critical information
Personalized guidance
Seamless coordination when you need it

A Place for Mom simplifies the process of finding senior living and home care with personalized guidance at no cost to families

The Coordinator provided all the information that I didn’t know I would need in the near future.

After a tremendous amount of research, I found a program administered by the State’s Department for Healthy Aging. First there was the process of even obtaining an application. And then…

The application arrived by mail, and it was one of the most intimidating documents that I had ever seen. I needed help.

This is a very small town so I reached out to individuals whom I thought might be able to provide assistance. It suffices to say, “People are Strange,” and I could find no one to explain the best way to fill out the required information. The one thing that everyone mentioned is that it is imperative to complete the application correctly as one misstep puts you back at step one.

One day, I took a chance and phoned the Department for Healthy Aging. Since I didn’t have a contact or referral, the receptionist put me through to a Supervising Director. The Director didn’t typically take general phone calls, but she heard something in my voice and decided to speak to me.

She explained that my Mom did not currently qualify for this particular program but that the guidelines were changing very soon. She asked me questions that seemed a tad intrusive at the time, but which were apparently necessary. She then asked that I be patient with her as she was extremely busy and did not usually handle these things.

Approximately two weeks later, I received a thick manilla envelope in the mail. I so dreaded what was inside that I didn’t open it for a couple of days. When I finally opened the envelope, I found the same application that had sent me into a state of fear originally. Only this time, the entire application had been completed (by hand) and pages were earmarked for further information and signatures.

I was more than grateful. I sent the woman a Thank You note with the final application. My Mother was approved. I secured financial assistance in paying for A Place for Mom. Now all that was left, was to find a place.

I went back to the notes from my initial (and only) conversation with A Place for Mom and began a search for a Facility.

I have found a Facility and figured out the financing.

I actually found an appropriate place for Mom based on the information provided by A Place for Mom.

My Mother is currently on the list for Assisted Living. The waiting list is eighteen months. A lot can happen in that time.

A lot has happened in the over four years since I spoke to A Place for Mom. Little did I know when I made that call that the information received was for the future. She actually provided a step-by-step guide for the steps that I am making now.

When I see their commercials, I realize that I am not certain I would make that call today.

But I’m glad that I did.

Timing is Everything. I made that call then for a time such as now.