Geriatric Care Management in Totowa, NJ

Aging in place in Totowa

Totowa is a compact borough tucked between Wayne, Little Falls, Woodland Park and Paterson, crossed by Routes 46 and 80 and the Passaic River. Its neighborhoods are full of capes, bi-levels and two-story homes, many owned by the same families for decades. Bi-levels in particular can be tricky for older adults. You walk in on a landing, then have to go up or down a half flight to reach anything.

Older residents here often have family close by, which is a real strength. But a son or daughter who lives ten minutes away may still not see the small changes: a parent who has stopped cooking, who is mixing up pills or who has not left the house in a week. We look carefully at how your loved one is actually managing day to day.

What our assessment covers

Our care assessment is the starting point for almost everything we do. It usually takes three to five hours and happens in your parent's home. We look at:

• Physical health, diagnoses and how they affect daily life.
• Memory, thinking and mood.
• Medications, how they are stored and whether they are taken correctly.
• Safety in each room, including stairs, the bathroom and the kitchen.
• Finances and paperwork, at the level your parent is comfortable sharing.
• Family support, friendships and what your parent wants most.

Then we write a care plan with practical recommendations. It might include a medication review with the doctor, bathroom equipment, a few hours of in-home help each week, a memory evaluation or a plan for future housing. You can carry it out yourselves or ask us to help.

Hospitals near Totowa

St. Joseph's Wayne Medical Center and St. Joseph's University Medical Center in Paterson are both close, and some Totowa families use Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair or Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains. There are also several nursing and rehabilitation centers in and around Totowa and Wayne that families use after a hospital stay.

Choosing a short-term rehab quickly, often with only a day's notice, is stressful. We help families understand what to look for, ask the right questions and stay involved during the stay so the plan for coming home makes sense.

Help when family is nearby but stretched

In many Totowa families, one adult child does most of the caregiving while working full time. That person often gets tired long before anyone else notices. We can share the load by going to appointments, overseeing home care, helping with bills and benefits and simply checking in. We also offer family meetings so the work can be shared more fairly.

Lisa and Kim, who founded the practice, each bring more than three decades of social work experience. We work across Passaic County, and your first call with us costs nothing.

How we help families in Totowa

• Care Assessment: An in-person, top-to-bottom look at your loved one's health, home, safety and supports, so you know exactly where things stand.
• Care Planning: A written, practical plan built around your loved one's goals, with clear recommendations your family can act on right away.
• Hospital Discharge Planning: Help getting your loved one safely from hospital or rehab back home, or to the right next setting, without dangerous gaps.
• Dementia Care Management: Guidance and hands-on support for families caring for someone with Alzheimer's or another dementia, from early changes through later stages.
• In-Home Care Coordination: We screen, arrange and oversee aides, nurses and services at home, so your loved one gets care that is safe and reliable.
• Assisted Living and Housing Placement: Unbiased help choosing assisted living, memory care, a nursing home or another setting, from people who never take referral fees.
• Long-Distance Caregiving: When you live far away, we become your eyes and ears nearby, visiting, coordinating care and keeping you updated.
• Rent-a-Daughter: Think of us as the daughter you can count on, checking in, showing up and caring for your parent as our own.

Hospitals we work with near Totowa

We regularly support families during and after stays at:

• St. Joseph's Wayne Medical Center
• St. Joseph's University Medical Center
• Mountainside Medical Center

Getting started is simple

1. Call us for a free conversation. Tell us what is happening with your loved one.
2. We meet in person. Our assessment takes about 3 to 5 hours, at home in Totowa or wherever your loved one is staying.
3. You get a clear plan. Specific recommendations, and as much ongoing help as you want.

Nearby towns we also serve

See all towns we serve in Passaic County, NJ.