Finding out your dad can’t drive anymore or realizing your mom is hiding her bruises after a fall is a gut-punch. It’s heavy. Most people spend weeks Googling "senior care" only to end up more confused by the jargon and the predatory pricing of big-box facilities. Honestly, the system is designed to be a maze. This is exactly where Allyson Stanton Aging Solutions (formerly operating under the broader umbrella of "solution care management") steps in to stop the spinning.
I’ve seen families try to DIY this. They try to be the nurse, the driver, the accountant, and the daughter all at once. You can’t. You'll burn out, and your relationship with your parent will turn into a series of chores and arguments. That’s why professional care management exists—not to take over, but to be the person who actually knows how the gears of the healthcare machine turn.
What is Allyson Stanton Aging Solutions?
Allyson Stanton isn't just a name on a website; she’s a Licensed Bachelor of Social Work (LBSW) and an Aging Life Care Professional with over 25 years in the trenches. She’s seen it all—from the inside of rehab centers and nursing homes to the living rooms of families in total crisis. Based in Columbia, Maryland, her practice is basically a specialized strike team for elder care.
You might have heard the term "solution care management" floating around in healthcare circles. In this context, it refers to the specific, goal-oriented way Allyson and her team approach aging. They don't just give you a list of nursing homes. They do a deep-dive assessment to figure out if your loved one can actually stay home safely, what modifications are needed, and how to pay for it without draining every last cent.
💡 You might also like: Finding the Healthiest Cranberry Juice to Drink: What Most People Get Wrong
The team at Stanton Aging Solutions includes specialists like Jeannie Finnegan, a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and Marcie, who brings a background in therapy and long-term care. This isn't a call center in another state. These are people who know the Maryland healthcare regulations inside and out.
Why "Solution Care Management" is Different From a Referral Agency
Here is the thing most people get wrong: they call those "free" senior placement agencies. You know the ones—the ones with the catchy commercials. Those agencies are often paid by the facilities to refer you. They have a financial incentive to put your mom in a specific bed.
Allyson Stanton works for you. She doesn't take kickbacks from assisted living facilities or insurance companies. If she tells you a specific memory care unit is the best fit, it’s because she’s been there, she’s seen the staffing ratios, and she knows they handle your mom’s specific type of dementia well.
📖 Related: Finding a Hybrid Athlete Training Program PDF That Actually Works Without Burning You Out
The Services That Actually Matter
- Comprehensive Assessments: This isn't a 10-minute chat. It’s a deep look at medications, cognitive levels, home safety, and social needs.
- Immediate Crisis Intervention: If your dad is in the hospital and the discharge planner is pushing him to a sub-par rehab center today, Allyson steps in.
- Concierge Connection Care (CCC): This is a specialized program focused on "purposeful engagement." It’s not just a sitter; it’s someone trained in dementia care doing music therapy, art, or sensory stimulation.
- Mediation: Sometimes the kids can’t agree. One sibling wants Mom in a home, the other says she’s fine. A care manager acts as the neutral professional to show the data and reach a consensus.
Dealing With the "D" Word: Dementia
Dementia is a beast. There is no other way to put it. Allyson Stanton Aging Solutions focuses heavily on neurocognitive impairments. They understand that "behavior" is usually just an unmet need. If a client is agitated, they don’t just suggest more meds; they look at the environment. Is it too loud? Is the lighting wrong?
Jeannie Finnegan’s work with the "Miracle of Music" is a great example of this. It’s about using neuroscience to reach someone who might not be able to hold a conversation anymore. It’s about dignity.
The Cost Factor (Let’s Be Real)
Care management is a private-pay service. Medicare doesn't cover it. This is the part that makes some families hesitant. But think about the "lost" costs of doing it wrong.
👉 See also: Energy Drinks and Diabetes: What Really Happens to Your Blood Sugar
One bad hospital readmission because the home care wasn't set up correctly can cost thousands. Moving into the wrong assisted living facility—and then having to move again three months later—is a financial and emotional nightmare. Families often find that hiring a professional like Allyson actually saves money in the long run because they avoid the expensive mistakes.
Advanced Care Planning: The Gift Nobody Wants to Open
Most people wait for a stroke or a fall to talk about MOLST (Maryland Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) or Power of Attorney. By then, it’s often too late for the parent to have a say.
Allyson is a big advocate for "proactive aging." She was even appointed to the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners by the Governor, which tells you something about her standing in the field. She uses that expertise to help families have the "hard talk" before the crisis happens. It’s about ensuring the person aging still has a voice.
Actionable Steps for Your Family
If you’re currently staring at a stack of medical papers and feeling like you’re failing, take a breath. You don't have to solve the next ten years today. You just have to solve the next move.
- Audit the "Close Calls": Has there been a "near-miss" fall? A forgotten stove? A missed medication? If the answer is yes more than twice a month, the current situation isn't sustainable.
- Verify the Documents: Do you have a signed Durable Medical Power of Attorney and a Living Will? If not, get these done before you do anything else.
- Get a Professional Eyes-On Assessment: Even if you aren't ready for full-time care, an initial assessment from a team like Allyson Stanton Aging Solutions provides a roadmap. It takes the guesswork out of the "what-ifs."
- Check Local Resources: If you’re in Central Maryland (Howard County, Baltimore, etc.), look into the Maryland Gerontological Association for local resources.
Elder care is a marathon, but you don't have to run it alone. Having an expert who can navigate the insurance, the facilities, and the family dynamics isn't a luxury—for many, it’s the only way to stay sane while doing right by their parents.