Episode 150

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Published on:

7th Jun 2025

Setting Up Parents for Success at Senior Living

This segment focused on the process of integrating a senior loved one into a senior living community once they've moved in. Daphne Davis from Pinnacle Senior Placements joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders Radio Show, explaining that integration needs to come from the community, not the family.

Daphne says, "We want to make things right, we want it to be successful. Well, here's here's a big news flash. Your mom and dad are adult human beings, and they're going to go to the place that they're most comfortable with, which is usually their family. And now they need to learn how to trust somebody else. They need to know the mechanisms of how to push that button so that someone comes to their apartment, if they're in assisted living or independent, or if they're an adult family home. If there's a cognition issue, if there's a need for for ready on the spot care, don't don't close the door to that option. Now your mom or dad has to figure out, okay, I'm going to push this button that's going to take anywhere from three to 10 to 15 minutes for someone to get here. And I need to to plan for that. And and so that's a part of what they need to learn.

"Here's the integration piece that needs to happen in a large community, in my opinion: [plan to] have more care than what your parent may need. Have more touch points, have a two or three hour chat for two weeks, have escorting services, have someone come to them and tell them, Hey, it's bingo at 2:00. And I know you met Patty at lunch today and she's there. I'd love to have the two of you spend some time together. Can I take you down to bingo?

"It's that kind of integration that needs to happen from the community, not from you saying, 'Well, Mom, you have the calendar. Look at it. Look at the clock. You can get out the door and everything will be fine. And I'll take you to lunch outside the community.'"

Daphne suggests, "When you're establishing your care level or your care points or how often somebody checks in on your mom or dad, at least in the first two weeks, have it be higher than what you think is needed because then they will have someone teach them which hallway to go down to get to the activity room, to get to the library. They don't know where the library is. It might be something that they're really interested in, but they don't know how to get there and I don't know about you, but I keep my pride. I don't want to look stupid."

Reach Pinnacle at 1-855-734-1500 or visit PinnacleSeniorPlacements.com.

To final a referral agent in your area, visit the National Placement & Referral Alliance website search.

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About the Podcast

Pinnacle Placements & Seniors
Pinnacle Senior Placements helps find superior housing options for the elderly in your family by doing the right thing for the right reason every time. Pinnacle was established out of a pure desire to serve the elderly and their families.

We meet with families face to face. During the meeting, your advisor will listen carefully to gain a clear understanding of your loved one’s personality and needs.

Our team believes that your loved one is much more than a list of diagnosis, symptoms, and behaviors. Your loved one is vital and deserves to maintain his/her life quality and purpose. This is why you can be sure we will provide options to help maintain his/her dignity and quality of life. Your family member will be treated with genuine compassion and care.

About your host

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Daphne Davis

Daphne leverages her strong business and entrepreneurial background in running Pinnacle Senior Placements. Since 1985, she has experienced handling management positions and establishing her own business. Being in these positions of responsibility allowed her to enjoy the freedom of implementing the credo of “doing the right thing for the right reason every time.”

In 2001, Daphne was introduced to senior care. She continues to enjoy serving elders and their families to this day.

Daphne has been devoting her time for the last 25 years as a loving wife and as a hands-on mother to two boys. She attends family, school, and sporting events while still having a full-time career. Her interests include playing the organ/piano for choir and church services. Aside from that, she also loves traveling both domestically and internationally with her husband and friends.