Denise Simmons: The Caregiving Conversations You Need to Have Before There's a Crisis
What if the most important caregiving plan is the one you make before you ever need care? Denise Simmons of Wisdom Senior Care knows firsthand what it means to be caught in the middle of work, children, marriage, and aging parents. After caring for both of her parents, she now helps other families navigate the same overwhelming journey, especially those in the sandwich generation.
In this episode of The Care Compass, Denise and Lindsay Friedman talk about one of the biggest misconceptions in senior care: the difference between home care and home health. One may be covered by insurance after a medical event, while the other can be a significant out-of-pocket expense. Understanding that difference before a crisis can completely change the choices a family has.
But this conversation goes much deeper than paying for care. Denise explains why her first step with a family isn't selling services. It's listening. Families need to feel seen, heard, and validated before they can begin making good decisions. They also need to understand that there is an entire ecosystem of financial, legal, medical, and caregiving resources available to them.
Most importantly, Denise shares why planning ahead isn't about taking away someone's independence. It's about giving them more control. From deciding who will provide personal care to understanding where someone wants to live as they age, having these conversations while everyone is healthy can give families something priceless when life gets complicated: peace of mind.
To find out more
- Connect through LTCareNav: ltcarenav.com/portal/wisdomseniorcarebroward
- Watch the full episode on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=q1KmqKUtlmo
