ECS provides expertise and advocacy in care management for older and disabled adults.

An independent Care Manager offers impartiality and expertise to help individuals and families make informed short- and long-term plans for care. They evaluate the needs of the individual – whether physical, emotional or cognitive – and are skilled at addressing complicated family dynamics. Care Managers contribute to an understanding of the needs of the individual that deserve consideration in financial planning but are outside of the scope of the estate planners and other financial advisors.

What does a Care Manager offer?

• Makes home visits to establish rapport and assess the elder’s situation.

• Prepares a Care Plan with specific recommendations and referrals to help the professionals and family understand and better navigate the situation.

• Participates in every aspect of Continuing Care including nursing home visits, in-home visits, collaboration with physicians, family members and anyone else involved in the elder’s care.

• Advocates for the client by interacting with health care and other professionals regarding decisions about treatment, care, services and housing.

• Addresses and resolves resistance to needed care or services.

At ECS, our experienced Care Managers are especially effective when an older adult is resisting assistance or intervention or when family members are in conflict over difficult care issues. We will provide specific recommendations for care and help family members consider the result of intervention and how it will affect the individual's functioning.

We are honored that so many families and professionals trust us with the care of their older adult. And we are grateful for the many kind words they share about ElderCare Solutions (ECS) services. Here are a few:

From Robert Jackson

I would first like to start by saying how amazing your company is. If it were not for the services ElderCare Solutions provides, I would’ve never been able to feel like my Aunt was truly being cared for, from another state. ElderCare Solutions has overseen and provided direct care for my Aunt for roughly 12 years. I want to give a huge and special thank you to Amy Zucker. Amy has such a huge heart and always goes above and beyond for her patients. “Patients” is a tough word to describe the people Amy cares for. Amy makes everyone feel like they’re her family. If it were not for Amy, Signe and ElderCare Solutions, I do not know how my family would’ve been able to care for my Aunt from another state.

I highly recommend Eldercare Solutions to anyone living out of state or in Chicago, needing to care for a family member. They made the process of starting care very simple and easy for me. They also provide a plan of care and continuously provide updates to make sure the family is aware of any changes or concerns with your loved ones condition, or overall well-being.

I owe more than I could ever give to Amy, Signe, ElderCare Solutions and of course Albus [Amy’s service dog]! I am very grateful to have met Amy and Signe. My family will forever be indebted to you both and Eldercare Solutions.

Thank you for the amazing work and dedication you and your company provided for my family.

From Melinda Wolfe

I wanted to make sure to write you and thank you for all of your help during some very difficult times. I don’t know if people tell you how often your presence made a difference in their life...I can only say that you made a huge difference to our family, especially when it mattered. Having your perspective and counsel enabled me to have clarity and to know where to go next. I am grateful for your well-informed and yet compassionate views. If I can ever serve as an advocate or reference for your work, please let me know.

From Sharon Legwinski

Thank you to all of you for helping my Aunt and myself care for Renee long distance. Because of your kindness and professionalism we both knew she was well cared for.

From Connie Sigman

Last year, my husband John and I were in a terrible situation. Our cousin John was living alone, not eating properly, not taking his medications, refusing outside help and driving on an expired driver’s license. On Mother’s Day, 2015, we took John to the ER. They wanted to keep him but he refused to stay. We took him home and worried all night. The next day, when we couldn’t reach him, we called his doctor, who called the Police and ordered a “Well Check”. The Police found John disoriented and quite ill. He was admitted to the hospital and then released after two days. We were back to Square One. As you can imagine, my husband and I were at our wit’s end.

I then called John’s Trust Officer. She referred me to your agency. At that point, Penny Golden entered our lives. She immediately took the load off of our shoulders. She took charge in a gentle way and won John over bit by bit. “Baby steps”, that was what Penny told us. She started getting a caregiver in the home two afternoons a week. She got his car away from him without confrontation and got it sold. As his health deteriorated, Penny eventually had caregivers in the home 24/7. When that was no longer an option, John agreed to long-term care at Plymouth Place in La Grange He loves it there and is so happy. And we are very happy too.

Penny Golden saved his life. I truly believe that. And as John says, “I do believe she is worth at least a quarter now!” Well, our family feels she is worth much more than that. Thank you Signe, for your company and especially Penny Golden for all you have done.

From Susan Wegleitner

Thank you Eldercare Solutions for helping us navigate the maze of options in caring for our mother. My siblings and I were thrown into a world in which we had no experience after her stroke. Your Care Managers were sensitive and caring as they helped us evaluate what was right for our mother and for our family from every standpoint. Through their many years of experience, ElderCare Solutions have developed a vast network of referrals for medical, rehab, nursing, legal, financial, home care and long term care facilities. We offer our deepest gratitude for helping us in this stressful time.

From Kimberly Roberts

I am so GRATEFUL for Amy Zucker's help! Amy had the perfect continence, patience, and resources to help my mother recover from her illness. Amy's continued work with the doctors that treated my mother's illness were exactly what was needed. With me living in another state, being able to have Amy there to care for my mother, take her to the doctor, the store, or wherever she needed was a true Godsend! I will definitely recommend your services to my friends and family that may need your services.

From Al Slazas

The family and I would like to thank Elder Care Solutions for the care they provided for our aunt in the last year of her life. They not only cared for all her needs, but were caring about her as a person. I was always confident that she was receiving the best care. Penny Golden not only was there when needed but became a friend that was trusted and part of the family. Knowing that she was there and being a thousand miles away I was relieved to know that our aunt was in the very best hands that anyone could provide. I would highly recommend Elder Care Solutions in providing care for a loved one. Thank you again for all your help at a very difficult time for us all.

From Keith Brown

Diane, I want to express my sincere appreciation for not only the “work” you do but also the “care” you provide. The services your organization provides are absolutely wonderful. My Aunt and Uncle do not have any children and as their Great Nephew, I am one of the closest in distance and family tree to provide them with help. When Aunt Doris became ill last year she was quickly deteriorating in a transition therapy facility. She was just not receiving the one on one care she needed. You quickly assessed her condition, recommended and facilitated her move to a more appropriate care facility and ultimately helped transition her return home. The move home was not going to be an easy one, but again you helped with that; Helping to provide the in home facilities to accommodate her return home and a live in care provider.

Had it not been for your amazing care, Doris would probably not have survived her stay in the therapy facility. Her return home was almost something of a miracle. Her ability to visit with family and enjoy life this past year was only made possible by your efforts.

Diane has been like a part of the family now for the past 12 months. Visiting regularly and the first person called when help is needed. Doris fell recently and needed to be hospitalized. My Uncle called Diane before calling 911.

I recommend ElderCare Solutions to anyone facing the challenges of caring for their aging family members. ElderCare Solutions knows all the right people to contact and how to get things done. When facing the emotional challenge of caring for elderly family it can very difficult to step back and make rational, informed decisions. ElderCare not only helps with challenges, but knows they are coming and helps to avoid them or overcome them with less anxiety.

Anyone that would like to speak with me concerning the level of care your organization provides, I would be happy to speak with them and convey my experiences with ElderCare Solutions.

From the Thomas DesLauriers Family

The family of Thomas DesLauriers would like to take this opportunity to thank-you for all your efforts on behalf of our father. As you know this has been a very difficult time for all of us and without your help and expertise “very difficult” would have rapidly deteriorated to “impossible to deal with.”

Your ability to see, anticipate and deal with all that was involved in settling our father in his own home and helping provide the 24 hour care that he now needs has been invaluable. Whether it was knowing the right contacts to call, advice to make or even rolling up your sleeves and pitching in, you were always there for us. We are so very grateful to you.

We know that in your type of work, prospective clients will ask for references. Towards that end, you may of course use this letter. If any of those clients would wish to speak to us concerning our experience with you, feel free to contact one of us with their name and phone number and we would be happy to comply.

From The Rosemary Hayes Family

The family of Rosemary Hayes would like to express our deepest appreciation to the team at ElderCare Solutions for all your work on her behalf since August of 2012. We were so impressed by the professionalism of the team.

Wherever would we have been without the marvelous Penny Golden. Penny made all the difference in the quality of "Rose's" life over these last few years. Penny is kind, caring, and knowledgeable and takes initiative. The patient is highest priority. Penny worked well with everyone, and we had some challenges (!). She helped the case immensely when she suggested working with Dr. Kay on medications and referred excellent caregivers. She took endless calls from Rose's children, as well as the caregiver, and managed to keep communications on track, including coordinating the hospice agency's work.

Although our mother had difficulty communicating, she had a special bond with Penny. She was always happy to see her and responded to Penny's suggestions and instructions with alacrity. Penny had the special touch. Another secret weapon was Flannery (Penny’s young daughter).

We can't thank ElderCare Solutions and Penny enough for her love and support.

From Laurel McKee

ElderCare Solutions provided an RN for excellent, effective oversight of my sister's care in a nursing home. The RN's frequent visits were a joy for her and provided an opportunity for observation of her overall health and outlook. The reports and advice I received from the RN were invaluable to me, her guardian.

We are honored that so many professionals admire our work with older adults. And we are grateful for the many kind words they share about ElderCare Solutions (ECS) services. Here are a few:

From Lance D. Holemon, M.D.

As a Psychiatrist specializing in geriatrics, I've worked with ElderCare Solutions many times over the last several years. I am always impressed by their professionalism and willingness to work together to manage difficult client situations.

As Registered Nurses with years of experience in geriatric psychiatry, the Care Managers are uniquely qualified to work with medical professionals to find the best care and treatment plan. I have great confidence in their clinical judgement and admire their ability to tirelessly advocate on behalf of their clients. Their focus is always on what is in the best interest for the client and their family.

I recommend the services of ElderCare Solutions without reservation.

From Andrew Ripeckyj, M.D.

I'm writing to express my appreciation for your fine work with a number of our mutual clients. Over the years, we have had the opportunity to look after a variety of challenging elderly patients together. You have always been available, reliable, knowledgeable and completely focused on the well being of your client. I look at your efforts as analogous to those of a well informed, closely involved yet objective family member, who can effectively advocate for the elderly client. I wish you the best luck in your ongoing efforts.

From Eve Epstein, Attorney

I would like to take this opportunity to let you know what a pleasure it is to work with you. As you know, I concentrate much of my legal practice in the areas of elder law, guardianships and related matters. You and ElderCare Solutions have been an invaluable resource and asset to me and my clients.

Of course, your knowledge of medical matters and available social service programs is always extremely helpful, but I am most impressed by your professionalism and collegiality, as well as your ability to address difficult issues with compassion and creativity.

I know that you have a positive impact on the lives of my clients and that is truly meaningful. I will, of course, continue to refer matters to you and ElderCare Solutions, as I look forward to working with you in the future.

From Hilary McCormick, Client Care Manager

As a Client Care Manager for a local Home Service Company, I share a mutual client with Elder Care Solutions and your nurse, Joann. From the day we started working with the same family, our company has been so impressed by the care and attention Elder Care Solutions and Joann give to our mutual clients. Joann is a great communicator and is always available to explain details and discuss concerns with our staff so that we all work together as a Team. The Home Nursing services that Elder Care Solutions offers are so important and they help fill an important gap for Seniors that desire to stay in their homes yet have the medical attention they need on a regular basis at home. Their services are what help companies like ours flourish by providing the health services that our company does not, therefore we work together to provide the best environment and care for each client.

At Your Senior Care Choice, we highly recommend Elder Care Solutions to any person or family looking for loyal, caring at-home health care by experienced nurses.

From Thomas M. Schroeder, Attorney

I have worked with ElderCare Solutions with a number of clients in various situations, including times of crisis. There is simply no other way to say it—ElderCare Solutions is the best!! Resourceful, responsive, imaginative, and most of all, caring, not only for the patient, but the patient’s family as well.

Their backgrounds as Registered Nurses are invaluable. They work smoothly with the medical professionals involved in a case so that everyone works together for the best outcome for the patient.

I’ve seen them work miracles in the most difficult of situations.

Financial advisors and wealth management professionals often find that ElderCare Solutions (ECS) can provide their clients with important information and services for aging and ailing family members. We are honored by the referrals and grateful for their gracious testimonials about our team. Here is a sampling:

From Jennifer Sanchez, CFP CPA

Eldercare Solutions is a valuable member of my professional network. Signe and her team have provided support and guidance to my clients during difficult times in their lives. Clients are overwhelmed by the process of identifying the appropriate level of healthcare assistance and then relying upon the competence and ethics of these individuals caring for a loved one. Their services simplify this experience and provide comfort to those left to make these difficult decisions. My client's loved one was a difficult patient who fired several healthcare providers. ElderCare Solutions worked with patience and grace to find the right solution and took over the burden of finding replacement assistance. I am grateful for the services they provide to my clients.

From Jim Beverly, CLU, CHFC, CFP

As a 50-year-old financial advisor, I have had the opportunity to work with dozens of families on elder care planning. Some of that work falls into my area and much of it is about the family side of planning.

When I am working with these families, I look for opportunities to introduce ElderCare Solutions because they were instrumental in helping my family and me when my mother was struggling. The expert familiarity and gentle manner the Care Manager exhibited was the best I've seen. Most importantly, my mother received her well and was treated with dignity. Secondly, the situation was explained to my siblings and me so we could understand it. Finally, a course of action was recommended that was both effective and logical.

If you are currently dealing with elder care and have the opportunity to work with ElderCare Solutions, I strongly recommend you do so.

From Tracy Bousky, CPA/PFS, DPF, MBA

As a comprehensive wealth manager, my clients look to me for resources and recommendations beyond financial investments. When there are issues of aging to be discussed that involve health, caregiving, living arrangements or safety I always recommend Eldercare Solutions. When they are involved I know that:

• The elder has an unbiased caring professional to whom they can express their desires, concerns and fears openly.

• Family discussions will be facilitated to manage emotions and biases and focus on the best interests of the elder.

• Medical care will be coordinated with the appropriate professionals to ensure that conditions are communicated and treatment is administered according to plan.

• All options for caregiving will be considered and presented with the financial and emotional costs and benefits.

Having Eldercare Solutions as a resource has strengthened my client relationships with all family members, not just the elders.

Case Studies are real life examples of ElderCare Solutions at work in the lives of our clients and their families. Note that names have been changed for privacy.

Help in a Crisis Situation

Peter called in a panic. “My father's just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. My mother has dementia and can't take care of herself. And Dad can't help her anymore; he has cancer.” One of three sons who were all juggling demanding work schedules and family responsibilities, Peter knew decisions had to be made – decisions he didn't feel comfortable making. He also knew that neither of his two brothers had the knowledge to make informed choices. Fortunately, Peter was referred by his parents' physician to ElderCare Solutions Inc., a Chicagoland-based geriatric Care Management practice operated by nurses.

The geriatric Care Managers of ElderCare Solutions assist families in managing the needs of their elderly family members. Most Care Managers are nurses or social workers with education and expertise in geriatrics. They monitor an elder's condition and evaluate the caregivers who are providing care. Their ongoing assessment includes such things as the elder's need for adult day care, home delivered meals, and home health care. Care Managers will also assist families in choosing an appropriate long-term care setting if necessary.

“Many of our elderly have experienced significant losses, they are fragile and vulnerable, and they have very specific needs. Their families want our help to understand and respond to those needs.”

Names have been changed for privacy.

Transitions for a Surviving Spouse

Mrs. J was an 83 year old woman who was alone after the death of her husband; he had been her primary care giver. Physically healthy, Mrs. J had significant problems with her memory and could not manage her household or her care without her husband's assistance. Her children, who lived out of state, were eager to move her from her home.

ElderCare Solutions was contacted by the family to help with the transition to move closer to Mrs. J's daughter. They were understandably concerned about their mother and wanted to make the move immediately. ElderCare Solutions counseled them to give their mother some time to grieve her husband's death before having another life changing event. While Mrs. J had dementia, she had not lost contact with her feelings and was grieving the loss of her husband of more than 40 years. ElderCare Solutions offered guidance on how to help Mrs. J cope with the loss of her husband and the impending loss of her home and community. The importance of acknowledging her losses was stressed. She needed to create a sense of closure to the life she shared with her husband in their home.

ElderCare Solutions found and supervised caregivers for Mrs. J in her home as an interim measure. Her large support network was contacted to ensure she had support during the initial weeks and months after her husband's death and a good-bye gathering was organized so that she could make her good-byes to the many friends she and her husband had during their lifetime in their neighborhood and community.

ElderCare Solutions helped the family find a care facility that would be able to meet her current and future needs. The family was consulted about the changes, both physical and emotional, that might occur with the move. ElderCare Solutions explained that transient periods of confusion might be expected and that Mrs. J might seem more impaired than she actually was, until she could become oriented to and comfortable in her new home.

Three months after her husband's death, Mrs. J was successfully moved a care facility near her daughter, who could watch over her.

Names have been changed for privacy.

Providing Care for a Resistant Elder

Martha called ElderCare Solutions at the recommendation of her doctor. Her mother-in-law, Ann, had been deteriorating over many months. She was increasingly reclusive and her clothes barely fit her shrinking frame. She neglected her home and her hygiene. Despite her best efforts, Martha could not get her mother-in-law to accept assistance.

ElderCare Solutions staff gained entry into her home. Because Ann had developed so much resistance to Martha's help, we met alone with her. It took several visits of listening and observing to build some small measure of trust. Consultations were made with Ann's physician. A care plan that outlined the situation and proposed short and long term plans was sent to the physician and to Martha. A written report brought objectivity to an emotionally laden situation and helped Martha understand why she couldn't “do it alone.” ElderCare Solutions educated Martha about her mother-in-law's illness and helped her adopt new ways of interacting to avoid anger and resistance. With phone updates to Martha, in-home assistance was put in place and changes in medication were made. Despite these measures, Ann's condition continued to deteriorate. She was no longer safe alone in her home.

ElderCare Solutions initiated and guided the transition to long term care. Her physician was consulted to initiate a hospitalization for thorough evaluation and treatment. ElderCare participated in hospital staff meetings to ensure all relevant problems were addressed, and found a care facility to meet Ann's needs.

Martha was able to continue to meet her own work demands, knowing that her Ann was receiving the expert care she needed. ElderCare Solutions collaborated with the care facility to ease Ann's admission and transition. Ann settled successfully into her new environment. Relieved of the burden of trying to take care of herself, she became calm and comfortable, able to accept the attention and care provided to her. Martha was able to take on the role of dutiful daughter-in-law and they were able to return to a satisfying and relaxed relationship.

Names have been changed for privacy.

Protecting Vulnerable Older Adults

Mrs. O's niece called ElderCare Solutions from out of state. They had worked with another agency, but didn't have a “fit” with the Care Manager. She contacted ElderCare Solutions at the suggestion of the social worker in her geriatrician's office. She described her aunt, a widow, as fiercely independent and proud. Mrs. O denied having any problems despite significant short term memory deficits. ElderCare Solutions agreed to meet with Mrs. O. to make an assessment and establish a rapport.

When we met her, she was living at home alone, with a caregiver who visited for a few hours a day. We discovered that past caregivers had “borrowed” large sums of money from her. It also became clear that the current caregiver hired to attend to her was not coming at the assigned hours, although she was being billed for the time.

Because of her lack of insight and the lack of oversight, she was at risk medically and financially. She was cordial but leery. She had “no problems” we could help her with, but she did agree to a second visit.

Over the course of a few weeks, ElderCare Solutions developed a trusting relationship with her and her long distance family. Despite her initial resistance and insistence that she had no needs, we were able to get her to consider a live-in caregiver to oversee her care and the household. She participated in interviews of “the help” and ultimately chose a caregiver that stayed with her for 6 years.

We guided Mrs. O and her caregiver through the early rough days of adjustment in their relationship and saw it blossom in to one of mutual regard and devotion. We helped her and her family worked through her resistance and anger to give up driving. ElderCare Solutions secured and oversaw her medical care. As she declined and was less able to initiate activities and interests, we found Adult Day Care where she broadened her social contacts, both giving to and receiving from others.

Mrs. O had a wonderful zest for life and a will to live, which we fully encouraged. When her failing heart could no longer sustain her, we arranged for hospice care. She died at home, with her devoted caregiver at her side. Through our long term involvement with Mrs. O, overseeing and coordinating all aspects of her care, she was able to live her last years well and as she choose. As importantly; she was able to die well and as she choose, in her home.

Names have been changed for privacy.

Older adults are especially at risk when situations change, due to illness or death of a spouse, medical or mental decline or changes in caregivers. ECS is experienced in recognizing and managing all of these difficult situations. We encourage you to call ECS at 630-416-2140 if change is occurring in the life of an older adult you are concerned about.

While our office is located in Chicago, IL, we provide professional Care Management services for seniors in the greater Chicago area. Counties served include Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake and Will.

Below are the cities that are served by our locally owned elder care agency:

Addison, Alsip, Arlington Heights, Aurora, Barrington, Bartlett, Batavia, Bedford Park, Bellwood, Bensenville, Berkeley, Berwyn, Bloomingdale, Blue Island, Bolingbrook, Bridgeview, Broadview, Brookfield, Buffalo Grove, Burbank, Calumet City, Carol Stream, Chicago, Chicago Heights, Chicago Ridge, Cicero, Clarendon Hills, Crest Hill, Darien, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Dolton, Downers Grove, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Evergreen Park, Flossmoor, Forest Park, Frankfort, Franklin Park, Geneva, Glen Ellyn, Glencoe, Glendale Heights, Glenview, Glenwood, Hanover Park, Harvey, Harwood Heights, Hazel Crest, Hickory Hills, Highland Park, Highwood, Hillside, Hines, Hinsdale, Hoffman Estates, Homer Glen, Hometown, Homewood, Itasca, Joliet, Justice, Kenilworth, La Grange, La Grange Park, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Lansing, Lemont, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Lincolnwood, Lisle, Lockport, Lombard, Lyons, Markham, Matteson, Maywood, Melrose Park, Midlothian, Mokena, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Mundelein, Naperville, New Lenox, Niles, North Aurora, North Chicago, Northbrook, Oak Brook, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Olympia Fields, Orland Park, Oswego, Palatine, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Park Ridge, Plainfield, Posen, Prospect Heights, Richton Park, River Forest, River Grove, River Dale, Riverside, Robbins, Rolling Meadows, Romeoville, Roselle, Saint Charles, Schaumburg, Schiller Park, Skokie, South Elgin, South Holland, Stone Park, Streamwood, Sugar Grove, Summit, Thornton, Tinley Park, University Park, Vernon Hills, Villa Park, Warrenville, Wayne, West Chicago, Westchester, Western Springs, Westmont, Wheaton, Wheeling, Willow Springs, Willowbrook, Wilmette, Winfield, Winnetka, Wood Dale, Woodridge, Worth, Yorkville