April, 2009 – Watching your once active parents or other relative decline into someone who needs constant care is heartbreaking and overwhelming.

But with 36 million seniors living in the U.S. and the population projected to double, caring for an elderly loved one is a reality most people will face. That’s why Senior Helpers, a leading provider of in home senior care, advises learning the signs your senior relative needs assistance.

“It’s much better to arrange for help for an elderly family member while they can still be part of the process rather than during a crisis because it gives everyone time to make thoughtful decisions,” says Peter Ross, CEO and Co-Founder of Senior Helpers, the nation’s fastest growing franchisor of in-home senior care. “Seniors often believe getting help means being moved out of their house and that’s where the resistance comes in. But many times in home care is a better option.”

Senior Helpers’ elderly care experts remind people to respect a senior family member’s pride and dignity when discussing the need for assistance. Approach the topic with respect and understanding and express concern for the family members’ safety. The warning signs could be indications of many issues. If there is a concern it’s important to contact a doctor.

10 WARNING SIGNS A SENIOR RELATIVE NEEDS ASSISTANCE.

The house is cold, the telephone is cut off. Losing track in a conversation, forgetting the names of children, grandchildren, the day of the week, etc. The death of a spouse. The refrigerator and cupboards are half empty even though you know the relative can still get out. Personal hygiene is poor. Constantly making excuses when asked to go somewhere or do something, or wanting to be alone. Sudden weight loss. Never cleaning or delaying home repairs. Failure to take prescribed medications. Behavior changes.

“The best way to keep track of a senior family members situation is to keep in touch with them and this is one time where being nosy is justified,” says Ross. “Visit or call often and use one of the warning signs as a way to approach the topic if needed.”

For more information about Senior Helpers, please visit: http://www.seniorhelpers.com/

 



By: Ashlie Lanning

About the Author:

Kansieo.com

 

Baltimore, MD – May 1, 2008 – It’s Mother’s Day heartbreak for anyone – watching your once active mom, who used to garden and go for walks, deteriorate into someone who can’t move without a walker. That’s what happened to 91 year-old Helen McClain after she fell and hurt her hip. Helen is not alone. A staggering one third of people age 65 or older fall and one in 40 is hospitalized.

“My mom isn’t the same and it’s very sad,” said Helen’s 62 year old son, Larry McClain. “I’m trying to take care of my mom, but I have my family and my job and the stress is often crippling.”

This Mother’s Day, millions of Americans face this same struggle.

· 45 million households in America today provide care for an elderly loved one. ( 2/3 of the U.S. population)

· Due to medical advances, seniors are living longer. 36 million seniors live in the U.S. and the population will double to 70 million or 20% of the population.

· The primary caregiver, generally the middle aged oldest daughter child like Larry, spends an average of almost 20 hours per week caring for an elderly parent.

· 80% of caregivers report emotional strain.

· Half report financial strain and miss work on a regular basis to take care of aging parents.

 

While Larry McClain struggled with the unbearable choice of keeping his mother in his own home or putting her in a nursing home, Helen insisted on staying in her own home, even though she can’t make it alone.

Then Larry heard about Senior Helpers, in-home personal assistance for seniors. Helen now stays in her own home with a Senior Helpers caregiver there to assist her around the clock, helping Helen with cooking, taking medication, bathing and house cleaning.

“My mom is happy because she got to keep her self-esteem and independence by staying in her own home where she’s surrounded by her favorite things,” said Larry. “Now, with Senior Helpers there to help her, she can go outside and feed the squirrels and sit on the front porch in her favorite chair to feed the birds. “



Tell an EMOTIONAL MOTHER’S DAY STORY like this with solutions. We can provide:

· Interviews/photos/b-roll with families like the McClains in your city, struggling to take care of an elderly parent

· Interviews with elderly care experts in your city who can talk about this explosion in the senior population and the struggles facing baby boomers who must juggle it all – an elderly parent, work, and their own families.

· Interviews about alternatives to nursing homes, like “green homes”, “assisted living homes” or “in home senior care” like Senior Helpers.

· Alarming studies and statistics about America’s huge problem of the ailing elderly.



· 125,000 seniors die each year because of medication mismanagement.

· U.S. corporations lose $34 billion a year because of workers who call out sick to take care of an elderly loved one.

· Americans work longer hours today, live farther apart and can’t take care of their parents if they get sick so what do you do? We have an answer and can get help to your parent out of state in a few hours.

· In a recent survey, seniors fear going to a nursing home more than they fear death.

This story touches a huge chunk of your readers/viewers/listeners this Mother’s Day. We can help you develop this story from many angles and will set up all interviews and photo/b-roll opportunities right in your city. Your audience/ readership does not have to feel helpless anymore. There is now an answer. We’ll help you educate them about solutions to make their lives easier and more peaceful this Mother’s Day.



By: Sue Yannello For Senior Helpers

About the Author:

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This problem is facing as many as 30% of all seniors who are homeowners, they are feeling the pinch of the times. With the cost of health care, medicines and in some areas rising taxes along with interest rate adjustments! How did we get here in the first place?

Well in looking at the situation this is what was found through extensive research on mortgages over the last five years. Seniors who had the retirement plans laid out with investments in the Stock market were hedging their bets that they would make enough money to pay off the mortgages or be able to sell and take the profits. In years gone bye when home values were soaring and money was easily available they were able to refinance their homes and take capital out for investments. With the stock market up at 14,000 and values of home seeing double digit appreciation many thought that this was the best time in their life for accumulation of wealth. The fact is that they were playing Russian roulette; just like the bankers on Wall Street. It all sounded good on paper; but the fact is nothing last forever and what goes up always comes down he has been this way for ever.

In speaking with as many as 100 seniors on a weekly basis, I hear all too often that I have lost almost all of my life savings and my pension has all but disappeared, and you can hear the stress in their voice. They are worried about what is going to happen to them and their homes. This problem is become epidemic in proportion around this country, and more and more seniors are looking at the Reverse Mortgage as a solution to some of the problem. Now that is not to say that the program is a save all solution for every senior around the country, because it truly is not the cure. However for many of them who are either loosing money in their investments, or having a hard time making debt payments it is a solution that can relieve some of the stress. Let’s take a look at a typical situation!

Senior age 65 with a mortgage

This senior purchased the home over 20 years ago, when they were earning a living had a good job and they were contributing to a 401 k.

They purchased the home for lets say $50,000.00, they paid on it for 20 years and they only had 10 years left to pay on it.

Now here we are it is 2002 and values have started to rise and the Stock Market is rocking and people are buying and selling Real Estate and showing huge profits. Now that home that they paid $50,000 for is now worth $400,000.00. They are seeing that if they take a 50% loan to value they can use the money to invest and still have 50% as a security blanket on their home. So they borrow the 200k at let’s say they were able to cash in on an interest rate of 5% the payment on the home, not including taxes and insurance would be $ 1.073.00 per month with a 30 year term. Now they have in cash after everything they have net $180k for investments. So we will assume that they listen to their investment person and they tell them they can expect a 7% return on investment so they pull the plug and they are seeing a net return after they pay the mortgage of 2%. They also held out $50,000 for a reserve so they invested $130k. Now they see and opportunity to buy Real Estate so they switch some of the monies from stocks to real estate. They meet someone who told them that they could use a portion of the money as a down payment on a new development and sell it before they home is completed. Now they have stocks, and real estate as their investment, the time comes and the home is complete they have a buyer all lined up to close and it goes great the person is able to get a mortgage and they make a whopping 30% return on their investment. Boy that was easy! So they figure if they can do it once and get that kind of return, just think if I did it again but with two properties.

So they take the profits from the sale and some of the $50k they have sitting for a rainy day and invest that into another couple of units and they are planning on flipping them also while they are being built. Now it is 2006, al of a sudden the buyers are having trouble getting a mortgage, because the rules of the game have changed, money is getting harder to get. The property is now ready and the builder wants for close on the property or you they are going to keep you deposit, so you apply for a mortgage on the property as a second home.

At this time the second home is being treated like a first home for mortgage purposes so you put down the 10% and close on the property. Now you have a second mortgage along with your first, and thought is you will rent the house to pay the mortgage. Now here is where the real problem begins, the stock market starts to tumble a little, your broker tells you not to panic its just an adjustment, your real estate person is telling you it is just a slow time in the market, wait until spring the market always open up then!

Now here we are it is 2007 and you are hearing on the news that this company is in trouble and that bank is going under and real estate values are starting to fall. What are you going to do you have a $200k mortgage on your primary home, you are now 64 years of age and retired. Sound familiar, I have spent the better part of 20 years not only doing this but working with investors on the very same scenarios over and over again. As a real estate person in a vacation home market, and a very good market nationally, I seen it too many times where customers where trying to cash in on profits. Now there are no profits to be had and they are in fear of not only loosing the investment home, but their primary home.

In many cases they are able to get the property rented but in some cases it is less then the mortgage payment, the stock portfolio is in the negative arena, because they listen to the broker who said stay the course! So what are you going to do now! Here is the best advice you can ever get, Take the loss on the Stock Market and get out with what ever you can and put the money into something that will protect the principle even if you are not getting interest. As to the second home; if it is renting even if it is a little loss monthly ride it out or try to sell it at a loss, call your mortgage company and see if they will work with you to reduce the sale price. Now to your primary home where it is the most important issue is to keep the roof over your head. The home that you borrowed the $200k and you thought you had another 200k in equity is now only worth maybe $300k if you are lucky.

So now you have a home worth $300,000 and a mortgage that is maybe reduced the balance to $195,000 over the last 6 years. You are now 65 years of age and all of the stress is causing you all kinds of additional problems. So look at this!



Home Value $300,000.

Mortgage Balance $195,000

Age 65

Payment of $1,073.00 plus taxes and Insurance.

Income of $1,500 per month assuming a couple on SS



Does this Sound Familiar or do you know someone who has this situation.

Here is a solution

· Couple the youngest 65

· Home Value $300,000

· Reverse Mortgage proceeds $173,000

· A short fall of $22,000

So what can you do about the short fall, call your mortgage company and explain the problem to them or contact and experience Reverse Mortgage Specialist who can work with you on making this plan a viable one where you will be able to live in your home for the rest of your life without worry. If you do this you will also increase you spendable income by over $13,000 per year. What could you do with this money?

This writer has one saying that is true in this tough economic times STOP THE BLEEDING!



By: Tim Robbins

About the Author:

Kansieo.com

To find the appropriate senior home care is quite a daunting task. It’s a decision where caregivers, who will become such an important part of your loved one’s life, are the best possible match.

The kind of services caregivers will provide determines the qualities to look for in caregivers. Some senior home care providers will drop by for a few minutes to provide medical services, while others may spend several hours a day with the senior in less formal circumstances. In the latter case, this professional relationship may turn into a personal relationship that may last for years.

In case of medical care, your senior member will likely need the help of a licensed professional nurse. Alternatively, they might work with an occupational or physical therapist. These type of caregivers usually visit for short duration -15 minutes to half an hour or for a limited time frame, such as a few months.

In evaluating the particular individual providing this type of skilled care, it is most important to ensure they are properly certified.  If the care provider is Medicare-certified, the home health aide will automatically need to meet professional licensure requirements.

If you avail the services of personal care workers, questions will arise about their professional qualifications, personal characteristics as they will be intimately working with your senior members of the family. In home companion care services bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and feeding are included. This care worker may also help with shopping and cleaning, and even general entertainment.

Because of this, it is always important to ensure that your caregiver is not just a professional expert but also gets along well with the character traits of the senior.

Families may also want to ask for information about the caregiver’s preceding employment history, and call those references. In addition, many states offer background checks on criminal history. Senior home care agencies typically perform these kinds of evaluations on their employees.



By: Tyler Moon

About the Author:

Kansieo.com

An updated national web site, spanning America, will help entrepreneurs and established home care businesses sidestep two problems: unnecessary startup and overhead expense, and lack of ongoing agency support. The updated national site is www.qualitycompanionship.com, run by ComfortStay Assistance, Inc., a national leader in home care business consulting services.

The system works this way. When people visit www.qualitycompanionship.com, they click on the “Services” tab if they are an established business or the “Opportunity” tab if they are an aspiring entrepreneur. This takes them to the appropriate page where they will have the opportunity to review the services and support offered by ComfortStay Assistance. After full review of the available services they will click on “Contact Us” to fill out a form in order to be contacted by the company. If they so choose they are able to call ComfortStay Assistance direct at 1-866-305-8320 with any questions or to discuss their project with a consultant.

The home care business owners and entrepreneurs alike have the opportunity to download and review all company disclosures, contracts, licensing agreements, information packets, etc… directly from the website. This way they have the ability to be fully informed of ComfortStay Assistance’s available services and goals.

“Our new approach saves entrepreneurs and home care business owners time and money in several ways,” says Michael J. Gultz, President of ComfortStay Assistance. “First, it allows entrepreneurs the ability to start their own home care business without the unnecessary startup costs and overhead associated with franchise offerings, but that is just for starters. Second, our approach also helps established business clients to focus on specific projects and goals that are essential to their business’ ongoing success. All of our services include ongoing business coaching and support for the lifetime of our client’s businesses helping them to focus on better serving the elderly knowing we are here to help every step of the way.” For aspiring entrepreneurs who demonstrate a genuine interest in helping the elderly and are on a tight budget, there can be additional savings, Gultz points out. “We will work with these entrepreneurs who truly want to help the elderly to determine a realistic budget and work within that budget to accomplish their goals.”

Perhaps a more critical value of the system is the pre-screening of potential clients by ComfortStay Assistance — in light of current concerns of the elder community over poor client service and price gouging by some home care businesses. “We formed ComfortStay Assistance to ultimately serve the elder community and our business clients,” says Gultz. “We screen potential clients on their willingness and ability to properly serve the elder community with the quality care and companionship that is needed today. Only the soundest, best entrepreneurs and home care businesses who share our vision and goals are added to our client list.”

Gultz’s network now embraces home care businesses from across the United States, all of whom are making a positive difference in the everyday lives of the elderly.



By: Michael J. Gultz MBA

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It is not only the physical weakness that dawn once the old age arrives, but a feeling of insecurity in general also creeps in. This insecurity pertains to residence, finances, fulfillment of basic needs and other such things. The most important concern of the elderly at this age is their dignity and thus it becomes the duty of the children to see that their parents have that self respect and comfort in plenty.

As the times have changed and almost every member of the family is working, it gets a little tough to provide the elderly in the house with that special attention and care that they require at this vulnerable age. It is always a point of concern while you are at work if they have eaten right, if they have slept ample and if they are content with the way you take care of them. Also, their security is another thing that is of utmost concern when you are not at home. If you think that the elderly in the house need far more attention and security than you are able to provide them with, you can avail the services of the hospice care for elderly.

The hospice care for elderly pertains to the independent living for seniors away from your home, yet in an environment that is most secure, entertaining and has other contemporaries of their age. These assisted living facilities California help the elderly in your house to live independently and with immense dignity. The adult home care California are dedicated to serve the needs and the requirements of the seniors and their families offering the elderly with a very domestic and becalmed environment to live in, residential neighborhoods, luxury private/ semi private room accommodations and other such facilities.

The adult care centers are also gaining popularity as they render the children and relatives of this elderly stress free about the senior’s health and well being. The seniors are provided with familial environment, special dietary meal, social security helps, Medicare and various activities to keep them busy and active. The birthdays and other events are celebrated with much zest and special outings and day trips that are organized provide them with great refreshment. This home modification for elders proves to b quite beneficial for the aged people.

The services of these adult home care California also include companion care, independent living for seniors, assisted living/ group home, skilled nursery facilities, personal assistance, errand and transportation, home making service, post-surgical care, medication reminders, Alzheimer’s and dementia care and feeding assistance. In fact, they also hold sessions to teach the elderly how to escape the falls, be more confident about themselves, feel healthier, energetic and relaxed, balance their movements, joint care, strength training and stretching.

Home healthcare for seniors is a growing concept and is being availed by a lot of working people and those elderly who want to have an independent abode. Some elderly are actively involved in senior financial planning since the very beginning so that they do not have to homeless when the old age dawns on them and so they opt for the independent senior housing themselves. At the Senior Adult Day Care Arizona Colorado they experience great joy and have great time as all their needs are catered to well and thereby they remain to feel dignified about themselves.



By: Susan Andrews

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