It should come as no surprise that the country is getting older. The first wave of Baby Boomers turned 65 in 2011, and an estimated 8,000 Americans will reach that age each day over the following 18 years.
The older we get, the more likely it is we will need help getting through the day. Our needs may be as simple as a ride to the grocery store or doctor’s office, or as serious as admission to a facility specializing in the care of Alzheimer’s patients. Along the way we will need legal advice and financial consulting, help making final arrangements and keeping the house up, and access to the therapists and equipment that helps us take care of our aging bodies.
At Stay at Home, we are in a unique position to help the elderly and their families negotiate the challenges ahead. We are often the first professionals a family contacts as they look to get support for an elderly loved one, and we are typically the professionals with whom they have the greatest day-to-day interaction. For us, this closeness to our elderly clients and their families allows us to be an information resource as well as a companion care provider.
In response, each Stay at Home owner has created a Total Family Care Team. This is a network of professionals we trust, who can help you meet the needs we all have as we age.
The Total Family Care Team covers eight specialties:
Companion care. This is the business we are in, helping the elderly and people with disabilities get their needs met while they continue to live at home.
Medical care. This includes nursing care and physical therapy.
Facility care. Sometimes you need more than companion care. We can help you navigate your options.
Legal planning. Like it or not, healthcare issues are often also legal issues.
Financial planning. Professional advice is often helpful in looking toward retirement, protecting your assets, and ensuring that your care is paid for.
Mortuary planning. Planning ahead saves your family from having to make difficult decisions at the worst possible time.
Home matters. If you live at home, then you will need help keeping the house up.
Medical equipment. Those of us who are recovering from an injury or illness, or those with chronic conditions, will often need specialized equipment in the home.
Over the coming weeks, we will discuss each of these specialties and how we can work together to get the help you need from caring, trustworthy professionals.
Information for this post comes from Andy Houck, owner and administrator of Stay at Home of Loudon.