Parent Check: Your Reliable Peace-of-Mind Resource
"Adam says this is simply how things work: First the parents take care of the children, and then the children take care of the parents."
If you've seen Blast from the Past, you may recall how the familial roles are gradually reversed until Adam becomes his parents' caretaker. At the end of the movie, Adam's gift to his parents symbolizes all of our wishes for our parents: love and security - a safe, comfortable haven in the golden years.
Studies now show Americans will spend more years taking care of their aging parents than their own children. Concerns about where parents should live, how much help they need, and whether to compromise their independence for safety's sake, leave adult children feeling conflicted, inadequate, and sometimes guilty. When too many miles or too few minutes keep you away - when you can't check in as often you'd like - the specially trained Customer Care Representatives (CCRs) from Parent Check are there to help.
What is Parent Check?
Parent Check was founded by a licensed private detective and former government investigator who, struggling to meet the demands of work and family, recognized the need for a service to visit his aging father when he could not. Parent Check's CCRs are highly trained and thoroughly screened advocates for the elderly. Most are experienced investigators or former law enforcement officers; they will talk with, observe, and evaluate your loved one's well-being, while respecting his or her dignity and surroundings. The CCR will then prepare an accurate and objective report for you, without intimidating or invading your parent's privacy or dignity.
As Americans live longer, work more and travel farther, adult children find it increasingly difficult to care for an older parent. More than 35 million Americans today are above the age of 65, and this number is expected to double in the next 20 years. Today's 65-year-olds can expect to live 18 more years.
Parent Check is the personalized monitoring solution for the busy family that wants to provide the least restrictive living environment for older loved one. CCRs conduct on-site home visits to ensure your parent is receiving the food, medication, housekeeping, and personal hygiene he or she needs to remain healthy and secure.
Who Benefits from Parent Check?
Whether your parent is living independently, receiving home assistance, or residing in a long-term care facility, Parent Check provides the peace of mind that comes with compassionate personal visits.
The median age of nursing home patients is increasing; only about 2% of young seniors (age 65-74) live in group settings, which means more seniors are living alone than ever before (28% compared with only 10% of the total population).
Many seniors grieve any anticipated loss of their independence and will understandably resist entering a residential living facility as long as possible. Seniors, especially in the presence of physical or cognitive decline, are at risk for self-neglect - or in the case of older couples, mutual neglect. This leaves adult children caught between honoring their parents' wishes to remain independent and ensuring their safety. That's where Parent Check can help. When you cannot be there yourself, Parent Check's skilled CCRs can alert you to the early warning signs of neglect.
Depression affects about 15% of all adults over the age of 65, and 25% of all suicides occur among seniors - more than any other age group. Whether depression is caused by or results in functional disability, seniors may not be able or willing to explain how they feel to family for fear of being characterized as weak, needy or burdensome. Depression is treatable. Parent Check will monitor parental activities closely and advise you of any significant changes requiring follow-up. CCRs from Parent Check are friendly, compassionate visitors who provide socialization essential to self-esteem while ensuring you parent is taking care of himself or herself.
Five million Americans age 65 or older receive assistance with one or more activities of daily living (eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, or grooming) through a home health agency. Parent Check makes sure home health care aides are providing personal care services in a respectful, healthy environment.
Even when your parent lives in a residential care setting, you may wonder if he or she is getting enough assistance and appropriate attention. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) encourages regular visitation of older family members, friends and neighbors, and identifies isolation as a major risk factor of elder mistreatment. At the same time, however, the NCEA acknowledges that seniors are often reluctant to reveal they are being mistreated.
The actual prevalence of elder abuse is unknown, but estimates are that for every case reported, four others are unreported. What is known, is that elder abuse can occur in any living environment, culture, or socio-economic setting. Some older adults may have difficulty expressing themselves due to memory or cognitive problems. Seniors may fear retribution and not report abuse, especially when they depend on their abuser for personal care needs.
Although fewer seniors live in nursing homes now than 20 years ago, 43% will spend at least some time in a nursing facility during their lives. The majority of nursing and residential care facilities in the U.S. are safe, comfortable, and secure. However, a study in 2002 revealed 36% of nursing home staff surveyed had witnessed some form of physical abuse, and 10% admitted physically abusing at least one elderly patient themselves. Each year, there are approximately 3000 substantiated allegations of abuse in nursing homes. Parent Check's CCRs are skilled interviewers, trained to detect non-verbal cues and solicit information in a gentle, reassuring manner. Take comfort in knowing Parent Check's CCRs are thoroughly trained to recognize and immediately report even the most subtle signs of abuse or mistreatment.
Our Service
Parent Check's goal is to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions to secure and maintain a nurturing environment for your parent. You will be confident in knowing Parent Check's CCRs are credible, trustworthy, and observant. We offer flexible scheduling and convenient packages to meet your needs. Whether you prefer routinely scheduled visits or "as-needed" check-in services, comprehensive or focused evaluations, or off-hour and weekend observations, Parent Check is happy to accommodate your needs.
After each visit, our CCRs will consult with you in person or by telephone and will submit timely, concise reports for your review and record-keeping. When you need reassurance of your parents' safety and security, Parent Check is your reliable check-in service.