KMBZ Experts in the News: Understanding the Continuum of Care

Villa St. Francis’ Tiffany Clair Dispenses Advice on How Adult Children Should Discuss Long Term Care with Aging Parents
KMBZ | April 22, 2019

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After over 20 years in the healthcare industry, the Director of Admissions & Community Relations at Villa St. Francis has a lot to say about having one of the most difficult conversations in your life.

In her exclusive interview with reporter Dan Weinbaum, she told KMBZ listeners that the time to talk to your parents about long term care isn’t in the middle of a crisis. “Ask what their wishes are before the need arises,” she said.

Clair suggests asking your family member, “If a situation were to come up, where would you want to go?” She said this gives them a sense of control over the care they’ll receive when that time comes. She encourages family members to tour different communities so they can learn about their parent’s likes, dislikes, and priorities. That way, if the time comes where they’re not able to make that choice on their own, the family is more relaxed and confident about making choices for them.

When working with families, she tries to simplify the search process by asking how much help or care the loved one needs. She acknowledges that there are so many options it can be overwhelming to navigate the long term care landscape. From independent living and assisted living to memory care or in-home care, there are a lot of decisions to make.

“The great news is that over the years we’ve been able to personalize the different stages of life to help tailor options to individual needs,” she said. This makes the decision more of a turnkey process. 

She said that her talented Admissions Coordinator and her dedicated team stands with the family and holds their hands through the entire process. “We know the family. We know the residents and we want to make sure that Villa St. Francis is the right place for them.”

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