From Crisis to Comfort: How LiveWell Helped Rose and Her Daughters

Rose was living in a New York City-area nursing home, paid for by Medicaid. Diagnosed with dementia and exhibiting significant behavioral challenges, she was overmedicated and receiving poor-quality care. Her environment was not only substandard—it was detrimental to her health and well-being.

Her daughters, Jamie and Tracey, were deeply distressed. Jamie lived in New York, single and juggling a high-stress job. Caring for Rose had consumed her personal time and left her emotionally depleted. Tracey lived in Maryland with two young children and a full-time job of her own. Although eager to help, she was limited by distance and her family responsibilities. The intense strain of caregiving was beginning to fracture the sisters’ once-close relationship.

The Turning Point: LiveWell Steps In

Desperate for solutions, the family turned to LiveWell’s New York care management team (formerly Alighieri Care Management). Our experienced care managers immediately stepped in to assess not only Rose’s care needs, but the emotional toll on her daughters.

Using clinical insight and family mediation skills, we helped the sisters come to a shared realization: Jamie could no longer shoulder the day-to-day care alone. A move to Maryland, closer to Tracey, would be the best long-term solution for both Rose and her daughters.

However, logistical hurdles stood in the way.

Medicaid residency rules meant that Rose needed to establish Maryland residency to qualify for a nursing home there. And due to her behavioral challenges, she couldn’t safely live in Tracey’s home while waiting for that transition. The sisters had attempted this move before, but were discouraged by the legal red tape and risk of another failed placement.

A Strategic, Compassionate Relocation Plan

That’s where our team’s care management expertise—and trusted network—made the difference.

• ‍Legal Advocacy: We connected the family with a highly skilled Maryland elder law attorney, who had an established relationship with a reputable nursing home near Tracey’s home.
• ‍Medicaid Navigation: Working closely with the attorney and nursing home, we negotiated an immediate admission with Medicaid pending approval—an uncommon but critical solution in complex cases like Rose’s.
• ‍Family Mediation: Our team facilitated calm, empathetic conversations between Jamie and Tracey to help rebuild trust and cooperation between them.

A New Chapter for Rose—and Her Family

Today, Rose is thriving in her new environment. The high-quality care and supportive staff at her Maryland nursing home have led to remarkable improvements in her mood, comfort, and overall well-being. Most importantly, Jamie and Tracey have mended their relationship. They’ve returned to being daughters, not just caregivers in crisis.

How Geriatric Care Managers Can Help

When families are navigating dementia, Medicaid, long-distance caregiving, and fractured communication, the path forward can feel impossible. That’s where geriatric care managers (GCMs) come in.

In this case, LiveWell’s care managers provided:

• A comprehensive assessment of medical, behavioral, and family dynamics
• Crisis mediation to align the family on a shared care strategy
• Coordination with a trusted elder law attorney
• Navigation of Medicaid and nursing home placement complexities
• Advocacy to ensure a seamless relocation with minimal disruption

GCMs serve as trusted allies during life’s most difficult care transitions—especially when multiple systems, family dynamics, and emotional burnout are involved.

Reclaim Peace of Mind with Professional Support

If you're facing the impossible task of navigating elder care alone, help is closer than you think.

📞 Contact LiveWell today to schedule a free initial consultation and discover how our experienced care managers can support you and your loved ones—during the holidays and beyond.

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