Home Care for Aging in Place: Costs, Safety, and AI Monitoring
Bodacious Estate Conversations | Episode 114
Featuring Matt Ericksen, Vice President of Sales & Operations | Griswold Care
When an older adult begins needing help at home, families may have to make important decisions quickly. A hospital discharge, a fall, or a sudden change in daily routines can leave relatives trying to understand care options while managing work, distance, and family responsibilities.
In Episode 114 of Bodacious Estate Conversations, Kasey King speaks with Matt Ericksen, Vice President of Sales & Operations at Griswold Care, about home care, companionship, safety assessments, and remote monitoring. Their conversation offers families a starting point for learning what support may be available and what questions to ask before a crisis.
Why care decisions can feel overwhelming
Families often have limited time to plan after a health event. They may be hearing recommendations from clinicians or discharge planners while trying to understand what a loved one wants and what the home environment can safely support.
Ericksen notes that first-time care customers may not know what questions to ask. Families can prepare by learning about care options before they are urgently needed and by asking providers to explain their recommendations. A clinician’s guidance can be valuable, but families should also make sure they understand how a proposed plan fits their loved one’s situation, preferences, and home.
A few useful questions to start with:
What daily activities are becoming difficult or unsafe?
What support is needed now, and at what times of day?
What does the older adult want help with?
What should the family ask a care provider before choosing a plan?
Companion care and personal care support different needs
The conversation describes two broad kinds of in-home support. Companion care may involve conversation, games, and other social engagement. Ericksen says this interaction can help address loneliness and isolation. Personal care may help with routines such as bathing, dressing, and hygiene. The transcript also mentions medication reminders and assistance with keeping everyday spaces more organized.
The right type and amount of support depends on the person. Some older adults may want help with a few tasks, while others need more frequent assistance. Families can discuss specific routines and concerns with a care provider to understand what support is available and whether it fits the person’s needs.
The goal of planning is not simply to arrange help. It is also to consider comfort, safety, independence, and the older adult’s preferences. Involving the person receiving care in those conversations can help the family understand what kind of support feels acceptable.
Look at the home through changing needs
A home that worked well before a health change may become more difficult to navigate afterward. Ericksen describes Griswold Care’s intake visits as including a home safety evaluation and a discussion of the family’s care needs.
He gives the example of a throw rug that may become a fall hazard after someone’s mobility or balance changes. Clutter and items that are harder to reach can also make everyday movement more challenging. Families can walk through the home with the older adult and look for obstacles, poorly lit areas, or routines that have become difficult.
A home review can help the family identify questions for a qualified care provider or clinician. It does not replace medical guidance or a professional assessment when one is needed.
Remote monitoring may help families understand when support is needed
Ericksen also discusses remote monitoring technologies that use different kinds of sensors, including sound, infrared, and movement signals. He describes systems that can identify possible events or unusual patterns and send alerts to designated people. Depending on the system and its settings, an alert may go to a family member, a care provider, or another contact.
He presents monitoring as one possible part of a care plan. It may be relevant for families who live far away or who are trying to understand when assistance is most needed. In the episode, he describes using monitoring data over time to help families consider whether care should be scheduled for particular periods, such as overnight.
Families considering a monitoring system should ask how it works, what information it collects, who can access it, how alerts are handled, and what happens if a device or connection fails. They should also confirm the system’s capabilities and limitations with the provider. Monitoring does not guarantee that every incident will be detected or that help will arrive immediately.
Learn about costs before a crisis
Care costs vary based on the provider, location, schedule, and level of support. In the episode, Ericksen encourages families to learn about home care options before an urgent transition. Early conversations may give families more time to compare available support and consider how it fits their circumstances.
The discussion also refers to possible costs related to hospitalizations, equipment, and changes to the home. Those expenses can differ widely, so families should ask providers and relevant professionals for estimates specific to their situation. They may also want to review insurance coverage and other funding questions with the appropriate professionals.
For families managing an estate or preparing a home for sale, decisions about care and housing can affect one another. Having a clear picture of a loved one’s needs can help the family plan next steps with more time and less uncertainty.
Start with questions, then build a plan
Families do not need to solve every care question at once. They can begin by talking with the older adult, listing the tasks that have become difficult, noting safety concerns, and asking a qualified provider what kinds of support are available. If technology is part of the discussion, ask how it would fit alongside in-person care and who would respond to alerts.
The conversation in Episode 114 is educational and does not replace medical, financial, insurance, or legal advice. Care needs and costs vary by person and location, so families should consult qualified professionals about decisions affecting their situation.
Listen to the full conversation with Matt Ericksen:
If your family is also navigating an unwanted or inherited property during a care transition, start a conversation with Guided Home Prep. No pressure. Just clarity and a plan.
