Franchising vs. Going Solo The homecare industry is booming.  Why, you may ask?  Two key factors include our desire to remain in the comfort of our own homes as we age, and the aging of the population.   While the number of people age 65 and older has increased dramatically, life expectancy has doubled in the last century.  It… Continue reading Starting a Homecare Caregiver Business

By: Paula Tchirkow, MSW, LSW, ACSW Eight years ago, on New Year’s Eve, I visited a 97-year-old client at 2:00 p.m., giving me more than enough time to check in on her, and still get ready to ring in 1996. I finished that call at 3:00 a.m., in a hospital emergency room. My client’s heart… Continue reading What It Takes to Become a Successful Geriatric Care Manager 

Senior companion services are a great way to mix day care and night care and help reduce boredom, anxiety, loneliness, and fear of being left alone.  All of these are primary reasons that many seniors who live alone finally give up and make the stressful decision to leave their own home… something they otherwise don’t want… Continue reading Companion Services for Seniors

Depression is the leading mental illness among seniors and handicapped people.  It generally doesn’t hit suddenly or overnight and can sometimes go unnoticed by family members that are around on a daily basis. People seldom notice depression in themselves and often try to hide the depression from others.  If you or your senior family member… Continue reading Counseling for Seniors

A big concern for many seniors and their caretakers are the potential problems that may arise after the caretaker has left for the day.   Loneliness, boredom, and risk of accidents or medical problems are often feared at night.   Incontinence, navigation through a dark house, and fear of falling are all night-time issues that many seniors… Continue reading At Home Health Night Care

Many caregivers dedicate much or most of their free time to taking care of their elder family member.  In an increasingly mobile society where some family members have moved out of the general area, the remaining family member(s) have an increased burden and very little chance to go anywhere, do anything, or even have a… Continue reading Respite Care Services

Through better health and nutrition, people are living longer and able to live on their own.   But the ability to live longer and healthier lives doesn’t mean that there won’t need to be lifestyle modifications.  In American society, we have the tendency to view mobility (especially the ability to own and drive a car) with independence.   All… Continue reading Senior Transportation

By Geri Waters: As a former head of nursing for several senior care facilities and a state ombudsman over senior care facilities, I’ve had the opportunity to see senior care in the home and in institutions of all sizes with various amenities, budgets, and staff programs.  Each combination varies depending upon the administrative influence all… Continue reading Senior Care and Actively Involved Families

Denise ran into the house… “Hi Mom, gonna quick throw a load in the washer and get the dishwasher started.  Have you eaten yet?  If not I brought over a plate with some chicken and potatoes on it.  I know I am late, I’m sorry.  Only have a couple minutes until I have to pick… Continue reading Choosing Homecare for Seniors

Geriatric Care Managers provide a variety of services for seniors and caregivers.  A Geriatric Geriatric Care Manager generally provides a home assessment and then creates a senior care plan recommendation based on the interview. Of course, you are not obligated to implement any portion of the care plan, but at least you will have the necessary… Continue reading What is a Geriatric Care Manager?

Fraud is arguably the most prevalent scourge against seniors today.  That’s a pretty strong statement and there are certainly those that would argue that such a dubious honor more aptly belongs to any one of a number of various diseases or medical conditions.   All arguments aside, fraud is perpetrated at various levels on thousands of seniors a… Continue reading Fraud Against Seniors

By: Pitt Dickey – Attorney Preface: Since Social Security Disability is directed under Federal law, the information in this column will apply anywhere in the United States.  However each Office of Hearings and Appeals and District Office have their own ways of doing things as does the various Federal District and Circuit Courts.   I have kept this… Continue reading Social Security Disability Claims and ALS Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Requirements of a will A will is a legal instrument that will direct a court or other administrator as to what your wishes are with regard to your property after your death.  A will is your words and in most cases, these words are binding on the administrator unless there is a law that supersedes your will, the will… Continue reading Last Will and Testament

Filing an age discrimination claim  By: Roger Braddock Age discrimination is against the law and employers have often tried to get around age discrimination claims by holding severance pay as a hostage to signing an age discrimination waiver. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has issued regulations regarding severance agreements that are signed by people who could file an age… Continue reading ADEA Waivers and OWBPA Laws on Age Discrimination

Elder Abuse – From time to time, news reports will chronicle large cases of elder abuse where there are particularly heinous cases or a given nursing home is suddenly thrown into the spotlight because of a serious elder abuse situation or where there have been some recent deaths.  Other than that, few cases of elder abuse make the headlines and the news media… Continue reading Nursing Home Abuse and Elder Abuse at Home