Knowing When It’s Time: Navigating the Decision to Start Care
1–2 PM Eastern | 10–11 AM Pacific
Also available on demand Oct. 9–Dec. 6, 2026
Includes one complimentary Continuing Education (CE) credit.
Continuing Education Credits:
- California Board of Registered Nursing
- California Professional Fiduciaries Bureau
- National Academy of Certified Care Managers
- National Commission for Health Education Credentialing
- National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners
- Society of Certified Senior Advisors
One of the hardest questions families face is knowing when it’s time to bring in additional care. The decision often comes with uncertainty, guilt or fear of “waiting too long.” At the same time, professionals play a key role in recognizing the warning signs and helping families make timely, informed choices that support safety, recovery, and quality of life.
Rather than waiting for a crisis, professionals can help families see the value of introducing care earlier—whether during hospital discharge, after rehab, or when day-to-day challenges begin to impact health and independence. By identifying risk factors such as medication non-adherence, mobility concerns, or missed follow-ups, professionals can guide families toward care options that prevent readmissions, reduce stress, and promote peace of mind at home.
Participants in this webinar will be able to:
- Recognize key risk factors that indicate when a client or family may benefit from additional care.
- Understand the professional’s role in supporting safe discharges and smooth care transitions.
- Guide families with practical questions that uncover unmet support needs at home.
- Communicate the benefits of timely home care in reducing readmissions, promoting recovery, and easing family caregiver stress.
- Build confidence in initiating sensitive conversations that help families make informed care decisions before a crisis occurs.
Presenter:
Lakelyn Eichenberger, PhD, is a gerontologist and caregiving advocate at Home Instead, an Honor Company. She began her career working with older adults and Care Professionals at the Omaha Home Instead franchise office and now educates professionals, families and communities on aging challenges and resources. She is a regular contributor to media outlets including ForbesHealth, Newsweek, and hosts Caregiver Chats, a podcast focused on providing support and resources to family caregivers. She serves on numerous boards including the National Alliance for Caregiving, Mosaic, and is a member of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Dementia Care Provider Roundtable.
Accessibility:
Closed captions are available for live and on-demand courses within specific browsers. Click here to see how to access and turn on the browser setting. If you still need to request speech-to-text captioning during this event, please contact us at least 5 business days prior to the live webinar so we may accommodate your needs.