Aging Baby Boomers Need and Demand One-call Home Care Services

The demographics of America are changing – and fast. There is a growing population of aging baby boomers who are savvy, smart and independent, and they know they have choices for their future lifestyles.

The statistics show that this population is on the rise. In 2003, there were 36 million Americans who were 65 and older; by 2030 it’s projected that this population will grow to 71 million. And an AARP study from 2005 found that 89 percent of people 50 and older want to stay at home as long as possible.

To do this, our aging U.S. citizens will likely need assistance in many areas such as housekeeping, yard upkeep, home maintenance, and, in some cases, relocation to new homes or care facilities.

These people, whether they are in need of physical assistance or are busy traveling during retirement, will need others to help them take care of things at home.

With this trend, a unique business opportunity is now flourishing – a “one call resolves it all” home care services for seniors.

It’s an ideal time for investors to capitalize on this new business trend. That’s exactly what Kim and Paul Abelman did when they decided to start a business.

The Abelmans found their new business in Spectrum Home Services. Spectrum is part of a national growing industry offering personal home care for older adults and busy homeowners.

But Spectrum Home Services is different from traditional home care service companies. They are simply one-call away for people who need a broad spectrum of services including housekeeping, yard care, maintenance, companionship and relocation services. Other companies offer a few of these types of services, but not the number of services available through Spectrum.

The Abelmans are happy to offer this service to area seniors and other busy homeowners through Spectrum Home Services.

Kim Abelman shared that “people who choose home care can find it frustrating making calls for numerous services. Many of our clients were calling a handyman for broken items around the house, a yard service to mow their lawn, a home cleaning service to do their laundry and a nursing service to make sure their medication is taken on time.” One call to the Abelman’s Spectrum Home Services fulfills all these needs and more.

In September 2006 they purchased franchise rights to Spectrum Home Services in New Albany, with the guidance of franchise consultant and expert, Barney Greenbaum.

Greenbaum works with clients in the Ohio market through the national organization, FranNet. Using FranNet’s proprietary process, he matches his clients with the right franchise using safety, risk avoidance, high standards, and affordability as criteria.

“My job is to act as first a facilitator to help find the business that matches their requirements, then I coach them along with helpful resources, such as financing, franchise attorney, and accountant, once they find a good fit. We spend 30 to 60 days on the search with a well thought out action plan. My goal is for the client to find the right tools to make the process less scary, and help them reach those important goals,” Greenbaum explained.

He demonstrated this trend in the home care service industry to the Abelmans. “With 10,000 people now turning 60 every day the baby boomer generation will need more caregiver services than the caregivers can easily provide,” said Greenbaum. “Paul and Kim wanted an affordable business they could grow, while maintaining a balance with their family, work, spirit, and health. Working with active seniors on home care projects allowed them this flexibility.”

The Spectrum Home Services approach to home care drew the Abelmans to this business. They discovered that Spectrum was for them after reviewing several other business options.

“We knew that the eventual goal for this business is to provide services that are very much needed,” Kim Abelman said. “We ‘got’ the concept after meeting with Greenbaum and going through the FranNet process.”

The Abelman’s also wanted something that would give back to the community. “We work closely with families and do everything they need done – trash, cleaning, clearing out for Goodwill, running errands,” Abelman explains. “We’ve become like family for many of our clients.”

Abelman says she “liked the networking and marketing aspect of Spectrum. To reach people that need the services, I do in-service programs with discharge managers in hospitals and at realtor meetings. As a former college lecturer, it’s easy for me to put [our business] into words. I’m okay going out and meeting people to teach about this new concept of senior home care.”

With no other franchise like Spectrum in the area, the Ablemans are getting a lot of calls for the services they offer. They’ve also experienced a rise in the number of younger, busy homeowners who call. Some companies are even offering Spectrum Home Services as part of employee benefits to help working families.

Greenbaum enjoyed matching the Ableman’s with Spectrum Home Services and summed it all up: “At the end of the day they added some value to someone’s life, and occasionally they might even get a hug for it.”

To learn more about FranNet in the Columbus area, contact Barney Greenbaum at

614-882-7777 or call 1-800-FRANNET.

What Services Do Assisted Adult Living Institutions Provide?

There is, of course, a tremendous difference between assisted adult living in a private home where the owner takes in retired folks and provides rooms for them, and the extremely posh assisted adult living quarters of some of the newer “country club” facilities. Most assisted adult living locales provide for transportation, daily living activities, housekeeping and of course meals.

The differences in such facilities will vary tremendously, not only in the amazing grounds available in many of these facilities, but also the sumptuousness of the facilities themselves. After all being served meals chosen from a menu, as a restaurant would do, and being served the meal of the day in a sterile cafeteria makes all the difference in the world, yet both are providing the service of offering meals to the residents.

 For instance your loved one may need the possibility of having meals served in their room when they are too ill to make it to the dining room, thus if you already know that this is an occasional need, then make sure that particular service will be available. Verify that if the doctor prescribes a controlled diet, such as salt free or sugar free, that the choices can be made.

 The minds of adults need to be challenged in order to keep the mind working properly, thus you need to be sure that the activities that are planned do create mind-challenging opportunities as well as entertaining ones. For example bingo games or card games need to be encouraged, and for those who like to play chess or checkers, there should be one or more such tables available.  “Name that tune” type of group play is also mind-challenging. Even the ubiquitous sing-alongs challenge the memory.

 The assisted adult living that takes place in a private home will not, of course, provide as many services as the “country club” facilities can offer, however sometimes they are preferable to the “fancier” places. For instance the homeowner may have pets, which the resident can care for and of course lavish love onto. In larger facilities there may be visiting pets, but they are not the same as having them constantly around the residents. After all, it has been shown that pets are important for mental health.

 As for services too, keep in mind that assisted adult living facilities are not nursing homes by any stretch of the imagination. Your attention is called to the “assisted” meaning assigned to each of the assisted adult living locales.

Old Colony Elder Services Urges Baby Boomers To Learn More About Long Term Care Planning Now

 BROCKTON, MA.

Old Colont Elder Services (OCES), a non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) located in Brockton, is supporting the Executive Office of Elder Affairs’ (EOEA) campaign “Embrace Your Future” to raise awareness about the importance of long term care planning.

 

Anyone between 45 and 60 years old who is interested in more information about planning for retirement and long term care should contact OCES at (508) 584-1561 to request a brochure.

 

The “Embrace Your Future” campaign is targeting the people born between 1946 and 1964 and encouraging them to take steps now to plan for their future needs. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information, planning for future long term care needs is important for a number of reasons:

 

Expense – Long term care services are often much more expensive than people think. Care often exceeds what the average person can pay using their income and other resources. You may not meet the eligibility requirements for federal or state assistance. Medicare, disability insurance and health insurance do not pay for long term care services.

 

Financial and emotional stress – The financial and emotional burden of your care will rest solely on your family members unless you plan ahead. Remember, your assets may not be enough to cover the costs of your care.

 

More care choices – By planning ahead, you will have more choices as to how your long term support needs will be met as well as where you wish to receive that care – for many, the desire is to remain at home for as long as possible.

 

“When you are healthy and active, there is often no sense of urgency with regard to planning for long term care because the potential needs seem so far into the future. But, planning ahead is the best way to ensure that your future needs will be met and that you will have the resources to pay for those needs. Long term care costs are rising and the government will not have the funds to support them. We strongly encourage anyone between 45 and 60 to contact us for more information,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

 

The best way to begin planning is by taking the first step to obtain more information. Contact OCES at (508) 584-1561 to request that an “Embrace Your Future” brochure be mailed to you at no charge. Or, 800ageinfo.com or www.longtermcare.gov/campaign/ma for more information.

 

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

 

OCES offers these programs in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman. 

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent
unnecessary or premature institutionalization. 

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees.  For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Senior Home Care Services Can Provide an Alternative to Long-term Care

It can be wrenching to see the independence of a loved one or family member decline. Simple tasks that used to be effortless, such as cooking a meal or keeping a house tidy, can become impossible for someone who is recovering from a hospital stay or whose strength is declining with age.

As the population ages, more and more people will face the reality of an older adult who may need assistance to live independently. For many in this group, a nursing home or retirement center is more than they need; and yet complete independence isn’t realistic, either.

One option that is becoming increasingly available across the nation is senior home care services. These services allow many people to remain in their homes and enjoy the independence of their daily routines and familiar surroundings. Senior Home care services typically provide non-medical help with daily living tasks including meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands or even simple companionship.

When considering a senior home care service, it’s important to know about the agency providing the service and its process for screening and matching its employees with care recipients.

It’s never easy to make the decision to invite a stranger into your home to provide senior care home. But there are steps to take and questions you should ask of an agency that can help minimize the emotional trauma of leaving a loved one at home alone.

Of course, the first requirement is a criminal background check for any caregiver. However, we also believe it’s important to screen for intangible traits such as a caring personality and a desire to help people.

The most important step in screening is to verify the quality of the caregiver’s employment history while choosing a caregiver from any senior home care agency. Many senior home care agencies focus on building relationships with each client.

After a caregiver has been placed with a client, the agency should continues to monitor service through telephone calls and in-home visits to make sure the client is satisfied with the caregiver and the services provided.

Senior home care agencies now provide a range of non-medical services including assistance with hygiene (subject to restrictions in some states), meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands and shopping, weekend or holiday care, live-in or live-out care, temporary or long-term, and respite for family care givers. A senior home care agency also provides personalized care for seniors as an alternative to assisted living facilities or nursing homes. The longer a senior can remain in their own home, the more active both mentally and physically they will stay. Companions provided from home care agencies can help an individual with their routine and assist in their activities. It is a priority for a patient to continue to live a healthy lifestyle, which maintains a sharp mind, and using elder care services contributes to this goal.

Retirement Planning Services

Financial advice is literally everywhere. Everybody has an opinion to give it seems, friends, family, neighbors and even strangers. A lot more people therefore are going to financial planners. They consult these advisers in the belief that these people know better.

Here are some things you would want to know about your financial planner

1. Is the person qualified?

Anybody can say that he or she is an expert financial planner. No particular degree or experience is required. There is no department of government that oversees planners. Of the quarter of a million financial planners, only an approximate of 40,000 are CFP (Certified Financial Planner). The CFP is the most acknowledged designation for financial planning.

Even with this certification, there are no guarantees. It takes experience and continuous education plus a high degree of ethics and integrity to be a professional planner.

One excellent option is to check his CFP status as well as his PFS (Personal Financial Specialists) and ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultants) status.

2. Is he looking after your interest or his?

Professional financial planners take their duties on your retirement plans seriously. Your needs are ahead of his or hers. Unfortunately, most of the so called financial planners are just trying to sell you investments. They are not obligated to provide the best retirement plan but are only prevented from selling you an unsuited plan.

The best option is to ask the financial planner to furnish you a printout of code of ethics that he needs to comply. It is a difficult read, but knowing the standards which your planner abides is a must.

3. How is your planner getting paid?

Several financial advisers still get most of their income through commissions. Many gracefully slide through the ‘commission’ tag by giving themselves the title ‘fee-based’ financial planners. They also simply duck the compensation subject.

Commission is not really bad, but it does create a complexity of interest with the retirement planner. Your retirement planner should voluntarily tell you how he gets paid, or at least give a direct answer when asked.

4. A slice of the pie or the whole thing?

An excellent financial planner takes into account the whole financial situation of a client, including their plans for estate and budgets. That is the only true way of looking at a comprehensive retirement plan.

Most of these financial planners simply focus on a single projection of a client’s financial situation. In most cases, they focus only on the area in which they have received any training.

When your adviser focuses on a single or only a few aspects of your retirement plan, get one that will take into account your entire situation.

5. This is what I’m selling. This is what you must buy

Financial planners that do not have the necessary education in comprehensive retirement planning often rely on what their companies require them to invest in. For example, a stockbroker may possibly hard sell certain mutual funds or individual stocks. This is also true even when the best utilization of the money is on paying the mortgage or raising the emergency fund.

Your retirement planner must be able to discuss intelligently about methods other than his recommendations. If he is not able to, or simply insists that his way is the best way, look for another adviser.

Post Retirement: Toronto Senior Services to Keep Connected

Work is a predominant and integral part of each of our lives, providing us with a sense of belonging, purpose and fulfillment. When the time comes for us to retire from our life-long careers, the adjustment period can be far more complicated than what we had anticipated.

What has become increasingly common in recent years is the tendency for retirees to find other activities, social groups, organizations and even part time or freelance work to occupy their time. So essentially, this means that when older adults retire, they don’t fully retire – they find other forms of “work” to do, which may or may not be related to the career they had their entire lives.

Many older adults and seniors also choose to volunteer and give back to their communities. Volunteer work is satisfying, helpful and gives people a sense of fulfillment and belonging.

It is very common for retirees to feel alone and disconnected from society which is why so many of them seek alternative ways to stay involved. In addition to paid and volunteer work, there are many other options available to older adults and seniors to keep them associated with society including social groups and organizations, activities, outings, tours, regular meet-ups and so on. Social networks give seniors a way to meet others with similar qualities and interests.

As human beings, the vast majority of us are built with a strong desire to belong. When we do not have this, many of us feel lost and incomplete. Throughout our lives we strive to belong in school, in sports, in our careers and in our families. As we grow older, a few or possibly even all of these things may slip away from us, at which point most of us will seek alternative ways to belong.

Given the fact that our baby boom generation and our generation of seniors ahead are ones that are more involved, healthy and active than ever before, they must have activities and employment options at their disposal which directly cater to who they are and what needs they have as older adults.  It is imperative that this fastest growing demographic is not only recognized but served in an effective manner.

Retirement Planning Consultant Services

Approximately one third of your life will be spent in retirement. It is important to plan ahead to be able to provide for yourself and enjoy this time of your life. Retirement is never too difficult to handle. However, many still have the misconception that retirement is a burden and a very difficult situation.

Before you enter your retirement age, it is best that you plan. Starting your retirement planning early will give you less stress and less trouble. It is better to start early with a minimum amount than starting it late and be overwhelmed with the amount that you have to save.

Make an accurate assessment on what you already have. It is better that you assess with the exact figures rather than making estimates. Retirement planning does not only rely on finances but also on many factors such as, health, emotional aspects, retirement location and safety. It is better to consider these factors to help you sustain for yourself without depending on your children.

Planning is not only a one-time event. It is a continuous process and may vary depending on many circumstances. Make sure that you are ready for any circumstances that might affect your retirement plan so that you will be ready for necessary adjustments.

You may want to consider hiring a financial adviser to help you ease the complexities of retirement planning. Before you hire the services of a retirement planning consultant, determine first the areas where you need assistance. Is it the retirement plan itself or the methods you need to implement the retirement plan.

There are a lot of retirement planning consultants and you should choose the ones that are experienced and competent enough to do the job for you. You may seek the advice of your friends and families and they may refer you to persons who know the best retirement planning consultants.

You can do some selection process by interviewing the candidates about their background and experience. Make sure that you know the cost of the services they offer. Always remember that there is a tendency that they are selling their services and you should not believe whatever they say. It is still best to ask other people who have hired them to check their expertise.

Once you have made your final pick, determine if the person you hired is registered. You may contact your state securities to get this information. You have to make sure that the person is free from any illegal activities and could be trusted.

Retirement planning takes a lot of accountability. No matter how competent the retirement planning consultant could be, your planning still depends on your responsibility. If you become responsible with yourself, retirement planning is never a tough job. Make the little sacrifices now and reap the fruits when you retire. Retirement is a time to enjoy and relax and not to burden you.

Home Healthcare Services and Senior Housing Communities

From skilled nursing facilities to independent living communities, there is an abundant range of housing options for senior citizens once they reach the point where they need extra care in their daily lives.  Some families simply invest in home healthcare services so their elderly family members can stay at home while still having their healthcare needs met.  Other families choose a continuing care retirement community, which provides all the different levels of assistance in one location so seniors can stay in the same location even as their needs change.  

Many families want their elderly parents to stay with them instead of moving into a retirement home, but it can be extremely stressful if they require medical care.  This is why home healthcare services can be so beneficial.  Licensed senior home care agencies can provide supplemental support and care for an elderly loved one so the rest of the family can feel secure about their condition even if they leave the house for extended periods of time.  They can provide a wide range of services, ranging from assistance with daily living to managing prescriptions.

Skilled nursing facilities might be a better option once it gets to the point that an elderly loved one needs 24-hour assistance.  These facilities are licensed to provide custodial care and rehabilitative care such as physical, occupational or speech therapy, but they may also offer social, recreational and spiritual activities.  Some of them provide specialized care for Alzheimer’s patients as well.

Seniors who don’t have urgent medical needs at the time being can also move into a continuing care retirement community, and once their needs change they can simply move into a different wing of the facility where they can receive more specialized assistance.  These communities offer independent living, assisted living and specialized nursing care in the same location, so a retiree can stay in the same residence as they progress through the golden years.  These facilities can be somewhat expensive, but they meet all of the senior’s needs throughout all the stages of their elder years, so they will always be in a living arrangement that is appropriate for them.  

Whether it’s home healthcare services or assisted living in a retirement community, it’s important for elderly people and their families to choose a living arrangement that works out well for everyone involved.  Luckily there are many options to choose from.

Need Adult Day Care Services?

Today I’d like to bring to your attention an oft overlooked industry whose services you may one day want to consider: Adult Day Care (ADC) or Adult Day Services (ADS). It’s not nursing care, but rather much like children’s day care, only for adults who depend on family caregivers to look after them. This service gives their caregivers a much needed break when they need to recharge themselves or otherwise cannot be present to care for a loved one such as when working.

A couple of years ago I had never even heard of this. That all changed when I was introduced to Duane Starkey, an advocate of these services. His knowledge of and dedication to the Adult Day Care field is so extensive and persuasive that today you might say I’ve become something of an advocate myself. (Google “adult day care Ronald Garner”)

Mr. Starkey is founder and chairman of Physicians Adult Daycare, Inc., a Houston-based company that provides daily care services for a family’s loved ones without the typical confinement of a nursing home. They provide their own door-to-door transportation system that picks up your loved one at their home and returns them there at the end of the day.

By focusing not only on the social and special needs of the elderly and disabled, but also on their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Adult Day Services centers offer advantages over nursing homes.

They also provide a continental breakfast, activities such as arts and crafts, games, arts and crafts, physical and mental training under the supervision of a Licensed Nurse and Activities Director, scheduled group outings and dietary-supervised hot meals. This system of supervision and interactivity helps promote an active and prolonged life for their clientele and is part of a safe, low-cost alternative to nursing homes.

Physician’s Adult Daycare, Inc. provides needed services for an improved and Quality Of Life for elders and the handicapped. Physician’s Adult Daycare, Inc. help senior’s preserve their independent living lifestyle and bring relief to their caregivers.

According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, “Nursing home placement may accelerate short-term cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease. Prior experience in adult day care may lessen this association.”(Source: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/164/6/910.) This is great news for the “Baby-Boomers” and all of us. It’s is why Physician’s Adult Daycare, Inc. is in the business.

Even if you live beyond their current area, I know Physician’s Adult Daycare would be glad to lend you access to the company’s knowledgebase and references in your area should you ever need a respite from being a family caregiver.

Running a business and/or looking after a growing family is a tough act itself. Add to it the need to take care of an elder and anyone can see the growing need for caregiver respite.

For additional information, please visit their corporate website, www.physiciansadc.com.

Reference:

American Journal of Psychiatry. Nursing Home Placement, Day Care Use, and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease
Robert S. Wilson, Ph.D., Judith J. McCann, D.N.Sc., Yan Li, Ph.D., Neelum T. Aggarwal, M.D., David W. Gilley, Ph.D., and Denis A. Evans, M.D.

 

Need Adult Day Care Services?

Today I’d like to bring to your attention an oft overlooked industry whose services you may one day want to consider: Adult Day Care (ADC) or Adult Day Services (ADS). It’s not nursing care, but rather much like children’s day care, only for adults who depend on family caregivers to look after them. This service gives their caregivers a much needed break when they need to recharge themselves or otherwise cannot be present to care for a loved one such as when working.

A couple of years ago I had never even heard of this. That all changed when I was introduced to Duane Starkey, an advocate of these services. His knowledge of and dedication to the Adult Day Care field is so extensive and persuasive that today you might say I’ve become something of an advocate myself. (Google “adult day care Ronald Garner”)

Mr. Starkey is founder and chairman of Physicians Adult Daycare, Inc., a Houston-based company that provides daily care services for a family’s loved ones without the typical confinement of a nursing home. They provide their own door-to-door transportation system that picks up your loved one at their home and returns them there at the end of the day.

By focusing not only on the social and special needs of the elderly and disabled, but also on their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Adult Day Services centers offer advantages over nursing homes.

They also provide a continental breakfast, activities such as arts and crafts, games, arts and crafts, physical and mental training under the supervision of a Licensed Nurse and Activities Director, scheduled group outings and dietary-supervised hot meals. This system of supervision and interactivity helps promote an active and prolonged life for their clientele and is part of a safe, low-cost alternative to nursing homes.

Physician’s Adult Daycare, Inc. provides needed services for an improved and Quality Of Life for elders and the handicapped. Physician’s Adult Daycare, Inc. help senior’s preserve their independent living lifestyle and bring relief to their caregivers.

According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, “Nursing home placement may accelerate short-term cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease. Prior experience in adult day care may lessen this association.”(Source: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/164/6/910.) This is great news for the “Baby-Boomers” and all of us. It’s is why Physician’s Adult Daycare, Inc. is in the business.

Even if you live beyond their current area, I know Physician’s Adult Daycare would be glad to lend you access to the company’s knowledgebase and references in your area should you ever need a respite from being a family caregiver.

Running a business and/or looking after a growing family is a tough act itself. Add to it the need to take care of an elder and anyone can see the growing need for caregiver respite.

For additional information, please visit their corporate website, www.physiciansadc.com.

Reference:

American Journal of Psychiatry. Nursing Home Placement, Day Care Use, and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease
Robert S. Wilson, Ph.D., Judith J. McCann, D.N.Sc., Yan Li, Ph.D., Neelum T. Aggarwal, M.D., David W. Gilley, Ph.D., and Denis A. Evans, M.D.

 

Next Page »