| A new year is upon us, and as time moves forward, | | | | Although the senior home care agencies are not an |
| more and more people are working harder to make | | | | enormously large industry and are widely available, |
| ends meet and provide for their families. One | | | | they can provide some crucial services to the |
| demographic of our population that has been | | | | community. Most offer some type of respite care, |
| overlooked, are our seniors, (those 65 and older). | | | | hourly (with a 2 - 4 hour minimum), short-term, or |
| The senior population has been growing, and more | | | | long-term care and also includes weekends and |
| rapidly within the last 5 years. On March 9th 2006, | | | | holidays. Prices can range from $15 to $22 per hour. |
| the US Census Bureau projected that the US | | | | This becomes extremely beneficial when families |
| population age 65 and older will have doubled by the | | | | need a respite from daily care-giving, or are not able |
| year 2030. That is 1 of every 5 persons in the US will | | | | to be there. Some insurance policies cover nonmedical |
| be 65 years of age or older, approximately 72 million | | | | senior care but you must first consult your insurance |
| people, with the fastest growing segment being age | | | | agency to have that verified and what conditions |
| 85 and older. This in part is due to better health, | | | | apply. As with any company or individual you will need |
| longer life expectancy, and the baby boomers coming | | | | to verify and do research on the providers of this |
| of age. | | | | service and their employees. |
| Despite their better health and longevity, our seniors | | | | Senior care companies can provide services that can |
| are being left out in the cold, with no one, or very | | | | help to maintain the independence, and activity that |
| few people and resources to assist them in enjoying | | | | seniors and their families are seeking. They provide |
| their golden years, after having served their families, | | | | nonmedical services, such as companionship, meal |
| and country. Too often we hear reports of seniors | | | | preparation, medication reminders, light housework, |
| needing help because of lack of care, or minimal | | | | transportation, errands, and arranging medical |
| access to people and resources. | | | | non-medical appointments and social outings and |
| Some families are also finding themselves in a crisis | | | | events. |
| situation, because they are not able to care for their | | | | These services provide many families with the peace |
| elderly loved ones due to financial and/or physical | | | | of mind in knowing that their love ones are okay, and |
| constraints, (whether by distance or disability), and | | | | well-taken-care-of. Some agencies like TLC |
| they are not aware of what local resources are | | | | Companion Care, Inc have extended their service to |
| available to assist them. Some available resources are | | | | families that are in need of assistance such as new |
| The Department of Health and Human services or | | | | moms and/or dads, and those who are in need of |
| You can also do an online search for elderly and | | | | any assistance to maintain their independence and |
| home care, or contact your local Health and Human | | | | standard of living in their own home. |
| Services agency, (usually always listed in the phone | | | | For more information, please click on any of the |
| book under government agencies), to see what local | | | | above links to contact someone and ask questions, |
| companies or agencies are available in your area that | | | | or call your local Health and Human Services agency. |
| may have be of benefit. | | | | |