Nan Hayes

Caring.com Expert

About

Nan Hayes has dedicated her life’s work to helping families navigate Later Life Home Transitions™ such as moving, downsizing, organizing and remodeling. In the year 2000, Hayes began providing Relocation Management services for seniors through her company, RightSized Living®. By 2001, Hayes recognized the need for industry standards and as an advocate for consumers, she established the original “senior relocation” education programs , followed by the MoveSeniors.com professional service network. She also founded the industry’s only Certification program, CRTS®. Hayes authored the “RightSized Living®” book series, is a nationally recognized speaker and was recently featured on Retirement Living TV’s Emmy winning “What’s Next” program.

Recently Published on Caring.com

  1. Friday January 21, 2011

    1. How can we get mom to agree to move to an assisted living facility?

      Answer - There can be no doubt that you are dealing with one of the more difficult decision that families of demented patients face sooner or later. There are many things you and your father should consider before moving your mother to a memory care unit and we have included a few of them here...

  2. Tuesday September 07, 2010

    1. Should I donate my father's belongings if there's no hope for a recovery back to independent living?

      Answer - You are coping with a difficult turn of events and some tough decisions and you are not alone. Falls are the number one cause of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in older adults. Before making decisions about your father’s personal property, be sure you fully understand his prognosis. Head injuries can n be classified as mild, moderate, or severe...

  3. Saturday August 28, 2010

    1. How do I decide whether to move to an independent living apartment?

      Answer - You know better than anyone else what lifestyle will suit you best in the years to come. Deciding to move to an independent living apartment is not short changing yourself and in many ways can be very rewarding. Many older adults abandon the overwhelming burden of home maintenance and move to more efficient apartments, condos or community settings...

  4. Wednesday August 25, 2010

    1. Are there organizations that can help with the costs of dealing with personal property after a loved one passes?

      Answer - Many individuals struggle with moving their parents’ belongings after death. Currently, there is no federal program designed to support this, however, you may have some luck on a local level. County social agencies have a variety of programs for seniors that may fit the bi...

  5. Friday July 09, 2010

    1. How do I find a good senior move manager?

      Answer - You ask a great question. Finding the right support for parents in another state is often challenging. But you are in luck. The MoveSeniors.com website supports the nation's largest professional network of move managers and other providers who assist with projects such as moving, downsizing, estate sale and more...

    2. Is there financial aid to cover moving expenses?

      Answer - Many cities and counties offer various types of moving assistance programs, yet most are designed for families/individuals who have already qualified for financial aid and who must move due to immediate medical or safety reasons. You may wish to inquire through your county Social Services agency...

  6. Tuesday March 23, 2010

    1. How can I find a reputable long term care facility for my mother-in-law, who has Alzheimer's?

      Answer - Several national databases offer options to search for housing by level of care as well as by location. There may not be a dedicated Alzheimer's facility in your area, but there are several who offer mixed levels of care. You may also search for Medicare/Medicaid certified facilities by county.

  7. Tuesday October 20, 2009

    1. Should I give up an opportunity to move out of the country because of my mom's needs?

      Answer - You have much on your plate! The first question is, have you discussed your thoughts with your mother? As she is in good health, she most likely has something to say about the pending move and her role in it.

  8. Friday October 16, 2009

    1. What are my options if I need to move but all the nursing homes in the new state have waiting lists?

      Answer - You obviously care a great deal for your mother and have remained on top of the situation. Based on your comments, it does not sound as though your mother requires 24-hour care and she may be just as comfortable in an Assisted Living or Continuing Care Community or even at home with frequent professional support...

  9. Tuesday May 19, 2009

    1. How can I tell if mother is getting proper care in her nursing facility?

      Answer - Quality ratings are often available for homes and should be part of your research when selecting a home. In many cases you can find this information on state websites. States survey Medicare and Medicaid certified homes every 9-18 months including interviews with residents, review of resident records...

    2. How many aides per resident are required in an assisted living facility?

      Answer - The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) leaves the issue of staffing flexible so each individual facility may decide what is best for their residents and resident focused programs. Due to differences in specialty or types of care, which may range with the resident population, ALFA states the...

  10. Monday March 23, 2009

    1. What are the housing options for my parents who are filing bankruptcy?

      Answer - Although your parents are not yet ready for supportive housing, it is best to plan ahead. You should review the information on your state websites to find local programs such as HUD, low rent options for seniors and housing choice vouchers.

    2. Who's qualified for dispensing medication to assisted living patients?

      Answer - CNA 's should not give any medications to the patient , yet, if certified they can assist the patient in self administering the medication. Even when certified, the medication should be pre-measured and given to them by a nurse or doctor. This sounds like the situation you have described and is OK...

    3. What can we do if our mother refuses to even talk about a nursing home?

      Answer - Chances are, the harder you push for resolution the more your mother will resist. This may be because she is truly fearful of moving to community housing, as are many older adults, or it may be a symptom of her memory issues. Either way, you may wish to find another trusted party to introduce the conversation to her or to act as a mediator...

  11. Wednesday November 26, 2008

    1. Should my dad divorce his wife to avoid being financially responsible for the housing choices her daughter is making for her?

      Answer - What to do when step children make a financial decision about the care of their parent but it affects the entire family

  12. Thursday October 30, 2008

    1. How can I convince my mother that it's time to make the move to an assisted living facility?

      Answer - First and foremost, consider all the options for your parents.

    2. How can I get financial assistance for repairs to my home?

      Answer - Options and facilities that are available to care for an aging and schizophrenic parent or elderly person.

    3. Are there facilities that we can place my schizophrenic mother?

      Answer - There is a good chance Assisted Living provides a good option for your mother, but much more information is required. Your mother’s choice for housing will require financial and medical assessments.

    4. Should my mother continue to live in Ireland or move to the United States to be closer to family?

      Answer - You may wish to begin by determining what her support system is in Ireland. Do you have extended family, friends and relatives there? What services are available to her? Have you asked your mother where she prefers to live? It is understandable that you wish to have her here with you, but it may help...

  13. Tuesday August 26, 2008

    1. How have you handled persuading your loved one to remain in the nursing home when he or she unreasonably thinks he or she is ready to go home?

      Answer - What to do when a loved one, aging parent, or elderly relative, unreasonably wants to leave their nursing home.

    2. What are my parent's housing options if my mother does not pass a cognitive screening test?

      Answer - What to do if your parents or elderly relatives, while waiting for admission to a continuing care facility or nursing home, begin to show signs of dementia

  14. Wednesday July 30, 2008

    1. What social services for widow of veteran are available? Does it include home health care?

      Answer - How to find acceptable home health aides for elderly parents and seniors using Medicare and Medicaid.

  15. Friday July 11, 2008

    1. My elderly mother has anxiety disorder and is fine when feeling well but uncontrollable when ill. Is it time for assisted living?

      Answer - Assisted living is restricted to those who can care for themselves but require help with meals, personal hygiene, housekeeping and some routine items such as medications. If your mother's periodic illness requires more care than this, consider other options such as an in home health care agency during those times when additional support is necessary...

    2. Can my uncle take himself out of a rehab nursing home because he's not happy with the care?

      Answer - In most cases, a discharge planner would be involved in your fathers release. If this is a Medicare or Medicaid certified institution, there are regulations surrounding his release. Typically, plans for his discharge are made between you, or the authorized care giver, the doctor and the discharge planner...

  16. Sunday May 18, 2008

    1. What legal rights to do grandchildren have in determining whether grandma is fit to live alone?

      Answer - Advice on legal responsibilities for an aging relative. How to find out if an aging relative is able to continue living independently.