dementia

10 12, 2019

Senior Helpers® of Sun City Center and Hillsborough County to Host Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Caregiving Seminar

2019-12-10T23:35:45-05:00December 10th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Nationally Renowned Dementia and Alzheimer’s Expert Teepa Snow Partners with Leading In-Home Senior Care Providers to Deliver Valuable Caregiving Insights

TAMPA, Fla. — Senior Helpers®, the nation’s premier provider of personalized in-home senior care, today announced it will host an educational session on caregiving techniques for dementia patients on January 9, 2019 at Kings Point Veterans Theater (1900 Club House Drive, Sun City Center, Florida). The seminar was created in conjunction with, and will be led by, nationally renowned dementia care expert Teepa Snow of Positive Approach, LLC, who co-created Senior Helpers’ award winning Senior Gems® Alzheimer’s and dementia care program.

The interactive session will explore the unique challenges associated with dementia and the proper caregiving practices that lead to positive interactions. In addition to Alzheimer’s and dementia-related awareness and knowledge, participants will learn effective communication techniques, strategies to connect with people in a meaningful way and methods of providing the proper resources at the right time. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are also welcomed to enjoy a complimentary, light breakfast and warm lunch at the event.

“At Senior Helpers, we know firsthand how difficult a Dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be, which is why we’re passionately committed to educating our caregivers, office staff, families, healthcare professionals and the public on successful caregiving strategies that we know through our Senior Gems® Alzheimer’s and dementia care program. The seminar is one of the ways we give back to our community,” said Scott Fox, owner of the Senior Helpers of Hillsborough and Sun City Center locations. “Teepa is at the forefront of today’s conversation on Alzheimer’s and dementia care and is able to provide invaluable knowledge to seminar attendees. She will not only cover the many brain, behavioral, and functional changes associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia, but how to deliver exceptional care tailored to a patient’s specific needs.”

There are currently 5.8 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, and that number is projected to reach 14 million by 2050. Many of these individuals will need specialized care to combat the disorder, and it’s more important now than ever to equip caregivers with the necessary tools and knowledge to adequately assist those with memory loss.
Details on the event may be found below:

  • Seminar Theme: “Trying to provide Best Quality Care Throughout the Journey of Dementia” – Teepa will delve into and provide an in-depth look into the consultant role and share ways to better support clients.

For questions about the event and to reserve a spot, please call (813) 677-1400 or email admin1208@seniorhelpers.com. Seating will be limited.

These seminars are made possible thanks to the support from the community by local sponsors as well as Senior Helpers’ premier sponsors including Kings Point, Sun Towers, Sun Terrace and Twin Creeks.

Founded in 2001, Senior Helpers operates with a vision to be the leading home care company in each community it serves. Its caregivers are trained to offer the highest level of care possible based on the company’s Senior Gems® Alzheimer’s and Dementia care program. For more information about the Senior Helpers Sun City Center and Hillsborough locations, please visit www.seniorhelpers.com/fl/sun-city and https://www.seniorhelpers.com/fl/riverview.

About Senior Helpers®

Senior Helpers® is the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior services ranging from specialized care for those with diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, to personal and companion care to help individuals looking for a little assistance with daily activities. Founded in 2001 with a vision to help seniors age with dignity despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers® has hundreds of franchised and owned businesses that have cared for tens of thousands of seniors.

Senior Helpers® has been named by Fortune Magazine as one of the best places to work in the country in the aging services category, is included in Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise Ranking, is an approved partner in the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, and active in the Healthcare Leadership Council—an exclusive alliance of leading healthcare companies from all health sectors committed to advancing the American healthcare system. Learn more by visiting http://www.seniorhelpers.com.

13 11, 2019

Senior Helpers® Hosts National Caregiver Recruitment Day, November 20

2019-11-13T11:55:33-05:00November 13th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Leading In-Home Senior Care Provider to Hire 500 Trusted Caregivers Throughout the U.S. to Bolster Resources for Aging Population

BALTIMORESenior Helpers®, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior care services, today announced it will host its second annual company-wide National Recruitment Day event on Wednesday, November 20. This event is being held to encourage people to consider a rewarding career in caregiving, and Senior Helpers is hoping to hire more than 500 new caregivers across 300 locations nationwide. As the first and only national in-home care company to be ranked by the Great Place to Work® Institute as a Great Place to Work and recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the Best Places to Work in the country in the Aging Services category, Senior Helpers’ rapidly growing business is focused on helping people age with dignity.

For the first time in U.S. history, older adults (people 65 years and older) are projected to outnumber children (under the age of 18) by 2034. As the U.S. population ages, it is creating a large and remarkable employment opportunity for those who are searching for a job where they are valued and appreciated. Senior Helpers’ National Caregiver Recruiting event underscores the company’s commitment to build a strong nationwide network of trusted, loyal caregivers to provide compassionate care for our nation’s seniors and their families.

“With more than 15 million adults in the U.S. requiring some degree of personal care, the demand for caregivers has never been greater, and we are leading the charge in strengthening the home care workforce and improving access to the quality in-home care that our elderly population needs,” said Peter Ross, CEO and co-founder of Senior Helpers. “Our caregivers feel a sense of pride and meaning in their work. During National Caregiver Recruitment Day we open our doors to a host of new, caring and compassionate candidates.”

For many Americans, the availability of highly-trained and reliable caregivers represents the best, and perhaps only, option for the elderly to age safely and gracefully at home.  According to AARP, aging in place at home versus a facility is the goal of approximately 90 percent of elderly Americans. Senior Helpers delivers unparalleled personalized care to tens of thousands of seniors nationally, by continually developing its network of caregivers through robust continuing education and training programs, ongoing evaluations and rigorous background checks.

Senior Helpers’ National Caregiver Recruitment Day exists to empower caring and compassionate individuals to consider a rewarding career in caregiving with one of the nation’s leading in-home care companies. This one-day event allows candidates to easily apply and interview in the same day.

Founded in 2001, Senior Helpers operates with a vision to be the leading home care company in each community it serves. Its caregivers are trained and certified to offer the highest level of care possible based on the company’s Senior Gems® Alzheimer’s and Dementia care program. As the gold standard for excellence in personalized in-home senior care, the program was developed in conjunction with nationally recognized dementia care expert Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC. The company also offers a Parkinson’s Care Program, a specialized training program for its caregivers, created in conjunction with leading experts from the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Centers of Excellence network.

For more information on Senior Helpers National Caregiver Recruitment Day and to request an interview from a Senior Helpers location near you, visit seniorhelpers.com/jobs.

About Senior Helpers®
Senior Helpers® is the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior services ranging from specialized care for those with diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, to personal and companion care to help individuals looking for a little assistance with daily activities. Founded in 2002 with a vision to help seniors age with dignity despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers® has hundreds of franchised and owned businesses that have cared for tens of thousands of seniors.

Senior Helpers® has been named by Fortune Magazine as one of the best places to work in the country in the aging services category, is included in Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise Ranking, is an approved partner in the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, and active in the Healthcare Leadership Council—an exclusive alliance of leading healthcare companies from all health sectors committed to advancing the American healthcare system. Learn more by visiting http://www.seniorhelpers.com.

3 10, 2019

Town Square® to Celebrate Inaugural Location with Ribbon-Cutting Event

2019-10-03T14:55:33-04:00October 3rd, 2019|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Local and State Dignitaries Welcome Interactive Adult Enrichment Center to the Baltimore Community

BALTIMORE — Today, Senior Helpers®, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior care, announced the unveiling of the first Town Square®, an innovative adult day enrichment center tailored towards senior citizens, including those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The company will hold an official ribbon-cutting event to welcome the company’s inaugural location to the Baltimore area on Wednesday, October 16. The new 11,000-square-foot center will be the first of many new Town Square locations planned nationwide and will open its doors to the public the following month.

“Town Square represents an important step forward in the future of senior care in this country,” said Peter Ross, Town Square CEO. “It offers all seniors a location to gather, socialize and find a sense of belonging. For families of those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, the safe, affordable care provided at Town Square and the thoughtful design of the center itself is truly groundbreaking.”

Town Square features an interactive midcentury “town” with 13 distinctive storefronts and experiences. These include a 1950s-era diner, movie theater, library, game room, garage with a beautiful vintage car and garden center all arranged around a green central park. The storefronts and their programming evoke a time when members were young adults and have been designed to appeal to all seniors. For those with dementia it can be particularly beneficial. The behavioral approach, known as reminiscence therapy, uses prompts such as movies, music, photographs and activities to stimulate long-term memories and has been shown to reduce anxiety and lessen symptoms and side-effects of the disease.

“Reminiscence therapy makes Town Square unique and is truly a game-changer not only for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, but for all seniors,” said Ross. “By creating this environment, we’re aiming to create a sense of shared community that people from all backgrounds can enjoy and benefit from.”

Future Town Squares will be modeled after the Baltimore location and will be designed to accommodate approximately 100 members per day, for half- or full-days every day of the week. Leveraging learnings developed as part of a strategic alliance with the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers Inc.® Glenner Town Square®, based in Chula Vista, CA, Town Square is able to uniquely cater to the needs of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

“We started by looking at the Glenner Center’s personalized and innovative approach to care and made a number of alterations to tailor the experience to members’ specific needs,” noted Greg White, vice president of franchise development. “For instance, one of our storefronts is a health club that will accommodate the physical and occupational therapy needs of our members, and we plan to partner with Silver Sneakers to offer classes there as well. We’ve also created a state-of-the art learning center with programs to stimulate members with educational activities. All of the programming at Town Square has been carefully designed to deliver enriching, safe, affordable and accessible care.”

Senior Helpers, whose employees will staff Town Square, finds the new center completely aligned with its mission “to provide compassionate care and improve the quality of life for our clients, their families and our employees.”

Executives from Town Square, including Ross, White and Bob Pearce, director of operations, will be joined at the ribbon-cutting by Brent Howard, CEO of Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce and local dignitaries.

For more information about the grand opening of Maryland’s first Town Square, located at 9708 Belair Road in Perry Hall, please visit https://shtownsquare.com.

About Town Square®
Town Square® is an innovative adult day enrichment center which has been designed to be attractive to all seniors, and also accommodate those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Operating with a mission to improve the quality of life of our members and their families, Town Square delivers safe and affordable care in a one-of-a-kind, interactive environment. Seniors receive quality and compassionate care through Town Square’s immersive experiences which have been thoughtfully designed to include activities and experiences based on members interests, hobbies, and abilities. For more information, visit https://shtownsquare.com.

About Town Square Franchising
Town Square Franchising is accepting applications from qualified candidates who are looking for a unique, industry leading investment opportunity that will allow them to make a positive difference. Those who are interested should contact the franchise experts at Town Square. For more information, visit https://shtownsquarefranchise.com/

17 09, 2019

Senior Helpers® of Hillsborough Awarded Health Care Staffing Services Certification from The Joint Commission

2019-09-17T10:05:17-04:00September 17th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Accreditation Reaffirms In-Home Care Company as an Industry Leader Providing Compassionate and Quality Care

RIVERVIEW, Fla. — Senior Helpers®, one of the nation’s premier providers of in-home senior care, today announced its Hillsborough location earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Health Care Staffing Services Certification as a result of demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The coveted Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects Senior Helpers’ commitment to providing safe and quality patient care and further validates the company’s accreditation from Joint Commission, which it has held since 2010.

Senior Helpers of Hillsborough, FL underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review on July 3, 2019. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards, including Senior Helpers’ abilities to deliver and facilitate quality patient care. This is Senior Helpers of Hillsborough’s fourth time receiving this accreditation, further demonstrating its commitment to the highest standard of care for its patients and their families as well as maintaining premier performance and dedication amongst its staff.

“The Joint Commission is a private accreditor dedicated to protecting the public. Through our surveys of health care organizations, we identify deficiencies in care and work together with these organizations to resolve any shortcomings as quickly and sustainably as possible,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Senior Helpers for its continuous quality improvement efforts in patient safety and quality of care.”

“Seniors Helpers of Hillsborough is honored to receive the Gold Seal from one of the nation’s premier quality improvement and accrediting programs,” adds Scott Fox, owner, Senior Helpers of Hillsborough. “The Joint Commission’s accreditation demonstrates our commitment to serve senior citizens, and their families, by offering quality and compassionate care, helping them continue to enjoy the comfort of their own home despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges. Our team is proud to be a valuable resource for our community by helping to alleviate the stress associated with caregiving and ensure a better quality of life for families through personalized in-home senior care.”

The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews. For additional details on the accreditation, please visit The Joint Commission website, www.jointcommission.org.

Senior Helpers of Hillsborough is located at 6152 Delancey Station Street Suite 206. For more information, please visit www.seniorhelpers.com/fl/riverview. For inquiries, please call (813) 336-3799.

About Senior Helpers®
Senior Helpers® is the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior services ranging from specialized care for those with diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, to personal and companion care to help individuals looking for a little assistance with daily activities. Founded in 2002 with a vision to help seniors age with dignity despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers® has hundreds of franchised and owned businesses that have cared for tens of thousands of seniors.

Senior Helpers® has been named by Fortune Magazine as one of the best places to work in the country in the aging services category, is included in Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise Ranking, is an approved partner in the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, and active in the Healthcare Leadership Council—an exclusive alliance of leading healthcare companies from all health sectors committed to advancing the American healthcare system. Learn more by visiting www.seniorhelpers.com.

About The Joint Commission
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

10 09, 2019

Senior Helpers® Debuts New Assessment Approach Based on “Micro” Social Determinants of Health (MSDOH)

2019-09-10T12:44:29-04:00September 10th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , , , |

New Approach Improves Care & Reduces Cost for Seniors

NEW YORK — Today, Senior Helpers®, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior care, announced that it has begun deploying the industry’s first data-driven client assessment process based on the concept of “Micro” Social Determinants of Health (MSDOH).

Called LIFE Profile (for Life Independence Function Evaluation), the new assessment for senior care uses a framework to measure a client’s ability across five key categories which include daily living activities, home safety, medical condition management, caregiver stress and quality of life. This new process for evaluating the ongoing care requirements delivers improved client care, reduces overall system costs and provides the basis for a shift in the historic approach to ongoing care management.

To develop LIFE Profile, Senior Helpers partnered with Performance Based Healthcare Solutions, LLC in Houston, TX whose 18-years of research provided the structure for the new approach. LIFE Profile was validated by Senior Helpers in national pilot tests during 2018 and 2019. The tests demonstrated that LIFE Profile and the related care plan do a significantly better job of helping clients successfully age at home.

“Beyond providing improved care for our clients, LIFE Profile and the related care planning process has the potential to significantly change the approach to caring for seniors in the US, while simultaneously lowering health care costs,” said Peter Ross, CEO of Senior Helpers. “The dramatic reduction in readmission rates achieved with the LIFE Profile assessment demonstrates that Senior Helpers’ new framework, and the use of Micro Social Determinants of Health, offers the promise of both better care for seniors and lower costs for society.”

The LIFE Profile assessment was used to develop care plans for seniors who were recently discharged from a skilled nursing facility (SNF) to their home. Those who were evaluated with LIFE Profile and followed the recommended care plan had a 30-day readmission rate of just three percent. This compares to the national average readmission rate of more than 21% for those who do not use LIFE Profile. Importantly, the clients who were assessed using LIFE Profile continued to do well and did not have an increased readmission rate at 60-days or 90-days after discharge.

Senior Helpers has begun to deploy its new LIFE Profile assessment across the country. Eventually, LIFE Profile is expected to be available through more than 300 offices nationwide.

Researchers have long known that Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), which considers the conditions where people live, learn, work and play significantly influence health outcomes. However, incorporating the SDOH elements into care planning for seniors has proven to be very difficult. Working with industry specialists, Senior Helpers developed a new approach that incorporates what they call ‘Micro’ Social Determinants of Health (MSDOH). The MSDOH information is used to recognize those tasks that clients can do for themselves versus those that require additional support. Over the past year, the company piloted the LIFE Profile approach nationally and were able verify a significant improvement in client outcomes.

“It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of patients with multiple chronic conditions and functional limitation lack adequate help for their activities of daily living, and more than half lack satisfactory help with their care coordination,” said Dr. Alan Abrams, a geriatric clinical advisor, member of the Senior Helpers Board of Directors and the former Chief Medical Officer of the Beth Israel Deaconess Care Organization. “The health care costs associated with functional limitation, such as difficulty performing activities of daily living, are expected to grow to $182 billion per year by 2020. We feel that LIFE Profile offers the potential to significantly reduce these costs.”

Information about Senior Helpers new LIFE Profile assessment can be found on the Senior Helpers website here. Details from the pilot test are available in a whitepaper published by Senior Helpers, available here.

About Senior Helpers®

Senior Helpers® is the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior services ranging from specialized care for those with diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, to personal and companion care to help individuals looking for a little assistance with daily activities. Founded in 2002 with a vision to help seniors age with dignity despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers® has hundreds of franchised and owned businesses that have cared for tens of thousands of seniors.

Senior Helpers® has been named by Fortune Magazine as one of the best places to work in the country in the aging services category, is included in Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise Ranking, is an approved partner in the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, and active in the Healthcare Leadership Council—an exclusive alliance of leading healthcare companies from all health sectors committed to advancing the American healthcare system. Learn more by visiting www.seniorhelpers.com.

23 08, 2019

FORTUNE and Great Place to Work® Name Senior Helpers to 2019 Best Workplaces for Aging Services List

2019-08-23T10:54:48-04:00August 23rd, 2019|Tags: , , , , , , , |

NEW YORK — Today, Fortune Magazine named Senior Helpers®, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior care, one of the Best Places to Work in the country in the Aging Services category. Out of 50 companies featured on the Aging Services list, Senior Helpers ranked second among at-home care providers. Senior Helpers is the highest ranked national company in our category.

This is the third accolade Senior Helpers has received in 2019. In May, Senior Helpers was named the first and only national in-home senior care provider to achieve Great Place to Work® certification. Last month, the company was recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in the state of New York by FORTUNE magazine. A primary driver of these awards has been the positive Senior Helpers culture. With over 300 locations nationwide, Senior Helpers is a mission-driven company that is laser-focused on providing compassionate care and improving the quality of life for seniors and their families.

The Best Places to Work in Aging Services recognition is based on an evaluation of more than 60 elements of the team member experience, using feedback from anonymous surveys sent to more than 223,183 employees in Senior Housing & Care and At-Home Care in the Aging Services industry in the United States. Eighty-five percent of the evaluation is based on employees’ experiences of trust and reaching their full human potential as part of their organization, no matter who they are or what they do. The remaining 15 percent of the rank is based on an assessment of all employees’ daily experiences of innovation, the company’s values and the effectiveness of their leaders to ensure they’re consistently experienced.

“We are truly honored to be recognized by our team members across the nation, for creating one of the best places to work in the industry. Senior Helpers is keenly aware that prospective employees have choices, and we have implemented many workplace practices designed to attract and retain the best employees,” said Peter Ross, CEO and co-founder of Senior Helpers. “Every Senior Helpers team member understands that the work we do is vitally important. We care deeply about our clients and appreciate what our team members do every day.”

“We applaud Senior Helpers for seeking certification and releasing its employees’ feedback,” said Dr. Jacquelyn Kung, of Great Place to Work’s senior care affiliate Activated Insights. “These high ratings measure Senior Helpers’ capacity to earn its employees’ trust and create a great workplace for high performance.”

The Great Place to Work Trust IndexTM methodology is taken by millions of employees across thousands of companies annually. It represents the gold standard in measuring culture and employee engagement.

About Senior Helpers®

Senior Helpers® is the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior services ranging from specialized care for those with diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, to personal and companion care to help individuals looking for a little assistance with daily activities. Founded in 2002 with a vision to help seniors age with dignity despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers® has hundreds of franchised and owned businesses that have cared for tens of thousands of seniors.

Senior Helpers® is included in Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise Ranking, is an approved partner in the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, and active in the Healthcare Leadership Council—an exclusive alliance of leading healthcare companies from all health sectors committed to advancing the American healthcare system. Learn more by visiting http://www.seniorhelpers.com.

About Great Place to Work

Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through its certification programs, Great Place to Work recognizes outstanding workplace cultures and produces the annual Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work For®” and Great Place to Work Best Workplaces lists for Millennials, Women, Diversity, Small & Medium Companies, industries and, internationally, countries and regions. Through its culture consulting services, Great Place to Work helps clients create great workplaces that outpace peers on key business metrics like revenue growth, profitability, retention and stock performance.

Learn more at Greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

14 08, 2019

Senior Helpers® Sponsors Rock Steady Boxing Coaches to Attend National Conference

2019-08-14T10:50:35-04:00August 14th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Six Wilmington, NC Coaches to Attend the Second Annual Coaches Conference in Phoenix

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Senior Helpers®, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior care, today announced its support of six local Wilmington Rock Steady Boxing coaches to attend the organization’s national conference from September 4 – 6, 2019. Rock Steady Boxing, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, gives people with Parkinson’s Disease hope by improving their quality of life through a non-contact boxing-based fitness curriculum. The second annual Rock Steady Boxing Coaches Conference gives coaches an opportunity to meet with hundreds of fellow Rock Steady Coaches from around the world to learn new teaching techniques, tips and practices.

“As a care-based company, we understand firsthand how important it is to stay current with the skills and techniques that help our clients,” said Mari Baxter, senior vice president of operations, Senior Helpers. “Rock Steady Boxing has been one of our most valued partners the past several years and the organization’s commitment to helping improve the lives of Parkinson’s patients is an exemplary example of humanitarianism. It’s our honor to help these coaches advance their skillsets and enhance their instruction.”

According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, over 10 million people worldwide suffer from Parkinson’s Disease. Medical studies have supported the notion that rigorous exercise, emphasizing gross motor movement, balance, core strength, and rhythm, could favorably impact Parkinson’s Disease patients range of motion, flexibility, posture, gait and activities of daily living.

In an effort to support those afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease, Senior Helpers is assisting the local Wilmington practice in their effort to raise awareness and attend the boxing event. The coaches that will be attending the Coaches Conference include:

  • Mike Wilson—Wilson founded Rock Steady Boxing of Wilmington with his daughter in 2016 after his own disabilities ended his ability to teach Jiu-Jitsu. He uses his 15 years of martial arts experience to help improve the lives of Rock Steady boxers.
  • Val Wilson—Co-founder of Rock Steady Wilmington with her father, Mike, she has been teaching at the gym since day one. Wilson possesses over nine years of training experience in Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai.
  • Christy Gillenwater—Gillenwater is the owner of Premier Fitness Studio and is a certified personal trainer and certified medical fitness specialist. After realizing her medical clients were not progressing like they should in a standard gym setting, she decided to open her own private studio, and thus Premier Fitness Studio was born.
  • Ryan Gillespie—Growing up a multi-sport athlete in soccer, wrestling and volleyball, Gillespie naturally segued into a now 20-year career in health and wellness. He was first introduced to Rock Steady Boxing back in July of 2017 and has become a mainstay at the gym.
  • Sheryl Johnson—A former Massachusetts police officer, Johnson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2013, shortly after moving to North Carolina. She has found that Rock Steady has improved all aspects of her life from balance, hand-eye coordination and memory issues. Johnson became a coach after two years of being a member.
  • Jim Cosper—A U.S. Navy veteran, Jim was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease eight years ago, and has found Rock Steady Boxing to improve the impact of the disease so much so that he became a certified coach.

“Parkinson’s Disease hits close to home for so many people, myself included,” said Baxter. “My husband Bill was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and has found Rock Steady to be an immense help in his overall wellbeing and day-to-day health. He was so resistant after his diagnosis, but now he’s their biggest convert!”

Rock Steady Boxing of Wilmington was founded in 2016 and is currently home to two locations in the city. Senior Helpers has long been a champion of Parkinson’s Disease care, providing companion, personal and housekeeping care to those who live with Parkinson’s.

For more information about Rock Steady Boxing, visit https://www.rocksteadyboxing.org/. For more information on Senior Helpers, visit https://www.seniorhelpers.com/.

About Senior Helpers®

Senior Helpers is the premier provider of care for seniors, and offers services ranging from specialized care for those with diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, to personal and companion care to help individuals looking for a little assistance with daily activities. Founded in 2001 with a vision to help seniors who wish to remain in their homes despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers has more than 300 franchised businesses that have cared for tens of thousands of seniors.  

Senior Helpers was ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 Ranking, and appointed to the Healthcare Leadership Council—an exclusive alliance of leading healthcare companies from all health sectors committed to advancing the American healthcare system. Learn more by visiting http://www.seniorhelpers.com.

About Rock Steady Boxing

Rock Steady Boxing is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, gives people with Parkinson’s disease hope by improving their quality of life through a non-contact boxing-based fitness curriculum.  It is the first boxing program of its kind in the country, was founded in 2006 by former Marion County (Indiana) Prosecutor, Scott C. Newman, who is living with Parkinson’s. Rock Steady Boxing has classes to meet the fitness levels at all stages of Parkinson’s – from the newly diagnosed to those who had been living with it for decades plus.

6 08, 2019

Town Square Eyes Expansion, Announces New Director of Business Operations

2019-08-06T10:15:08-04:00August 6th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Leading Specialized Senior Care Center Elevates Executive Team by Welcoming Robert D. Pearce, MBA

BALTIMORE — Today, Senior Helpers®, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior services, announced that Robert D. Pearce, MBA will join the company as Director of Business Operations of Town Square®, the nation’s leading specialized senior care centers that tailor to those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. With more than 20 years’ experience in home health and home care business operations, Pearce joins Town Square from Valley Health System. His experience in strategic planning, business development and process improvement in progressively complex roles will prove valuable as Town Square begins to expand nationally and transform senior care to improve the health and wellbeing of elders.

Pearce will play a pivotal role in helping propel Town Square’s success as a premier leader in the senior care industry. In his new position, he will drive process improvement across all business functions as the company develops a franchise model that will create a dynamic business opportunity across the country and will radically improve care for those in search of senior care centers.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Town Square team and help to continue revolutionizing the senior care industry,” said Pearce. “It’s an exciting new concept that’s reimagining senior care for Alzheimer’s and dementia care patients. With Alzheimer’s disease affecting an estimated 5.7 million Americans, I look forward to making a difference serving more seniors by bringing more Senior Helpers Town Square facilities across the nation.”

Town Square offers seniors a one-of-a-kind, interactive environment set in the 1950s-era. Using reminiscence therapy to help elicit positive, long-term memories from an individual’s past, the company is ushering in the next wave of senior care and setting a new industry-standard for elder care—especially those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

“Bob couldn’t be joining at a more exciting time and we look forward to him leading our team through this exciting chapter in our company’s growth,” said Greg White, VP of Franchise Development of Town Square. “As a seasoned home health and home care executive, he has wide-ranging experience and an outstanding reputation in the industry. Tapping into Bob’s knowledge will give us some critical tools and insights that will help us grow, while ultimately driving high-quality care for our seniors.”

Town Square provides an attractive investment opportunity for entrepreneurs looking for exceptional corporate support and an exciting franchising concept in a booming industry and is currently accepting applications for Town Square locations. For more information about Town Square Franchising opportunities, visit shtownsquarefranchise.com or call 855-454-3056.

About Town Square®

Town Square® is an innovative adult day enrichment center which has been designed to be attractive to all seniors, and also accommodate those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Operating with a mission to improve the quality of life of our members and their families, Town Square delivers safe and affordable care in a one-of-a-kind, interactive environment. Seniors receive quality and compassionate care through Town Square’s immersive experiences which have been thoughtfully designed to include activities and experiences based on members interests, hobbies, and abilities. For more information, visit https://shtownsquare.com.

About Town Square Franchising

Town Square Franchising is accepting applications from qualified candidates who are looking for a unique, industry leading investment opportunity that will allow them to make a positive difference. Those who are interested should contact the franchise experts at Town Square. For more information, visit https://shtownsquarefranchise.com/

20 07, 2019

Senior Helpers® Breaks Ground On The First Town Square® In Baltimore

2019-07-20T13:34:35-04:00July 20th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Leading Senior Care Provider Slated to Launch the First Interactive Adult Enrichment Center in Perry Hall Area in Fall 2019 As Part of Nationwide Growth Plan

BALTIMORE — Senior Helpers®, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior services, held the official groundbreaking event in Baltimore for the company’s inaugural Town Square® this week. The new 11,000-square-foot center at 9708 Belair Road in Perry Hall will be the first of many Town Square locations planned nationwide and is scheduled to open in fall 2019. Town Square will offer local-area seniors a one-of-a-kind, interactive environment set in the 1950s. It features reminiscent experiences designed to captivate and excite members and elicit positive memories from an individual’s past. Executives from Town Square, including Peter Ross, CEO, Bob Pearce, director of operations, and Greg White, vice president of franchise development, were joined at the groundbreaking ceremony by local dignitaries including Brad Kroner, outreach coordinator at Baltimore County’s Office of Community Engagement.

“Today marks a special day as we take the first step to build and launch the first Town Square in our home state of Maryland,” said Ross. “As our nation’s senior population continues to grow, we plan to take this model across the U.S. We believe that Town Square will disrupt the senior care industry, filling a clear, unmet need and providing seniors with a fun and positive experience that is not available today.”

Pearce added, “These new state-of-the-art centers have been carefully designed to offer a diverse number of enjoyable activities that will both engage our members and serve to deliver safe, affordable and accessible care.”

Town Square leverages learnings developed as part of a strategic alliance with the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers Inc.® Glenner Town Square®, based in Chula Vista, CA.

Each new Town Square will feature an interactive midcentury “town” that includes 13 distinctive storefronts and experiences that evoke the age when most members were young adults. These experiences include a 1950s-era diner, a beautiful vintage car, movie theater, library, game room and garden shop all arranged around a green central park. Each Town Square is designed to accommodate approximately 100 guests per day. The new Maryland Town Square will be open to seniors in the Baltimore metro area and surrounding communities.

“The Town Square development will repurpose this building and provide a critical service in this part of Baltimore County,” said David Marks, councilman, Baltimore County. “We welcome Town Square to Perry Hall.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased to bring this all-new concept that includes reminiscent experiences to Baltimore,” noted White. “We started by looking at the Glenner Center’s personalized and innovative approach to those with Alzheimer’s and dementia care, but we wanted to build on that foundation to make Town Square appealing to a broader group of seniors. We believe that this refined design will be attractive to a larger group of seniors including those who are looking for opportunities to socialize. It fulfills Town Square’s mission of delivering personalized, meaningful care for all seniors.”

Senior Helpers, whose employees will staff Town Square, finds the new center completely aligned with its mission “to provide compassionate care and improve the quality of life for our clients, their families and our employees.” All Senior Helpers caregivers are trained to the highest level of care possible based on the company’s Senior Gems® Alzheimer’s and dementia care program and specialized Parkinson’s training. As the gold standard for excellence in personalized in-home senior care, Senior Gems® was developed in conjunction with nationally recognized dementia care expert Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC.

For more information about the grand opening of Maryland’s first Town Square, please visit https://shtownsquare.com.

About Town Square®

Town Square® is an innovative adult day enrichment center which has been designed to be attractive to all seniors, and also accommodate those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Operating with a mission to improve the quality of life of our members and their families, Town Square delivers safe and affordable care in a one-of-a-kind, interactive environment. Seniors receive quality and compassionate care through Town Square’s immersive experiences which have been thoughtfully designed to include activities and experiences based on members interests, hobbies, and abilities. For more information, visit https://shtownsquare.com.

About Town Square Franchising

Town Square Franchising is accepting applications from qualified candidates who are looking for a unique, industry leading investment opportunity that will allow them to make a positive difference. Those who are interested should contact the franchise experts at Town Square. For more information, visit  https://shtownsquarefranchise.com/

18 07, 2019

Senior Helpers, Curavi Health, and Capital Coordinated Medicine Announce Results of Telemedicine Pilot Study

2019-07-18T14:21:57-04:00July 18th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Home Care Workers Found Effective in Facilitating Telemedicine Visits Between Home-Based Primary Care Physicians and Frail Patients with Functional Limitations

BALTIMORE — Senior Helpers®, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior care, along with Curavi Health, a customized telemedicine solutions provider for the post-acute care setting, and Capital Coordinated Medicine (CCM), a home-based primary care (HBPC) practice, announced the results of a pilot study that tested a new model of connecting frail, functionally limited patients with primary care physicians via telemedicine.

Conducted in Washington D.C. and its surrounding area over the first half of 2019, the program engaged 33 patients who were seen virtually by a remote CCM physician using the assistance of an in-home ‘telepresenter’ – a trained, certified nursing assistant provided by Senior Helpers. The telepresenter used Curavi Health’s telemedicine equipment to facilitate the virtual consultations.

Compared to the operational costs of an in-home visit by a primary care physician, the study found that telepresenter visits offered up to a 44 percent cost savings, with onsite visits by a telepresenter averaging 50 minutes, including equipment set up and takedown.

The telepresenter model was also found to be useful in supporting informed choices in care escalation compared to assessments based off information gathered from an initial phone intake. Seven of the 33 patients seen (21 percent) would have otherwise been referred to an emergency department had it not been for the telepresenter service.

“Our goal with this study was to showcase how trained in-home care workers can help HBPC practices better manage their staff resources to scale the benefits of primary care visits to larger cohorts of patients,” said Michael Hughes, Vice President of Strategic Development, Senior Helpers. “There’s been a resurging demand for in-home health consultations as the elderly population continues to climb. Our results illustrate that there is promise in using field-based telepresenters to help manage this demand.”

Telepresenter visits were available to patients who had first requested an in-home visit by a CCM physician. If a physician was not able to respond to a request within the first 24 hours, a telepresenter was sent to the patient’s home as an onsite member of the CCM team. Curavi Health’s telemedicine equipment included a Windows-based tablet with HIPPA-compliant telemedicine software, a tablet stand, a hand-held camera with a light, and equipment to capture basic vital sign information.

“The ability to be seen sooner by an HBPC physician benefits patients, physicians, and the healthcare system alike,” said Dr. Alan Abrams, consulting physician on the project. “Patients receive more immediate care, physicians can increase the numbers of patients seen, and responsive onsite examinations provide an opportunity for informed decisions in care escalation.”

“HBPC is widely recognized as an effective method of providing medical treatment for elderly and homebound patients, yet these care options can be limited where shortages in qualified medical professionals exist,” said Dr. Amy Schiffman, Founder and Medical Director at Capital Coordinated Medicine. “Bringing the doctor and equipment to the patient in the near term gives us opportunities to further diagnose and triage their related conditions, and make more informed choices about escalations in care, such as referrals to the emergency department.”

Despite efforts by industry and the government to support the growth of telemedicine, only three percent of Medicare patients reported having any virtual connection with a medical professional within a prior six-month period1. Telepresenter and other models that provide ‘warm introductions’ to telemedicine have the potential to increase its use, particularly amongst patients with functional limitations that challenge their ability to attend regular primary care appointments.

Functionally limited patients are considered among the highest consumers of healthcare services in the United States. It is estimated that five percent of U.S. patients consume 50 percent of all healthcare spending. Nearly two-thirds of these patients have some form of functional limitation. About one-third have limitations significant enough to require help with Activities of Daily Living, such as dressing and bathing.2

“We are excited to extend our telemedicine solution to other post-acute and long-term care settings, including the home. We believe that this initial study shows how telemedicine can be used to provide goal-directed medical care directly in the patient’s home,” said Dr. Steven Handler, Chief Medical and Innovation Officer at Curavi Health. “By bringing this technology to the patient through use of a telepresenter, we were able to connect patients directly with their primary care team to deliver treatment more quickly. We’re hopeful this is a major stepping stone to a wider endeavor that’s able to cover a larger percentage of the homebound and elderly patient population.”

Complete results from the telepresenter pilot study can be downloaded by visiting www.seniorhelpers.com/kc.

1 The Advisory Board, 2017 Virtual Visits Consumer Choice Survey
2 The Concentration of Health Care Spending, NIHCM Foundation Data Brief – July 2012

About Curavi Health™

Curavi Health is a telemedicine solution provider that was born out of the experience gained from a CMS Innovation Award to improve the quality and cost of care for people residing in long-term care facilities. Curavi, a Latin verb meaning “to care for,” indicates a commitment to enhancing and optimizing care for both patients and providers. Curavi Health enables caregivers and providers to deliver patient-centered care through customized telemedicine technology and specialized geriatric providers to enhance the quality of care for residents and reduce costs for skilled nursing or senior living facilities. Learn more by visiting www.curavihealth.com

About Capital Coordinated Medicine

Capital Coordinated Medicine (CCM) is a home-based primary care practice in Kensington, Maryland that provides medical service to patients with multiple and complex health issues in private homes, independent living facilities, assisted living facilities and group homes. CCM works closely with Home Health, Hospice and other senior serving professionals to bring care to the home-based setting. CCM providers possess decades of experience in emergency, internal and geriatric medicine. Learn more by visiting www.capcoordinated.com

About Senior Helpers®

Senior Helpers is the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior services ranging from specialized care for those with diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, to personal and companion care to help individuals looking for a little assistance with daily activities. Founded in 2002 with a vision to help seniors age with dignity despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers has hundreds of franchised and owned businesses that have cared for tens of thousands of seniors.

Senior Helpers is included in Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise Ranking, is an approved partner in the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, and active in the Healthcare Leadership Council—an exclusive alliance of leading healthcare companies from all health sectors committed to advancing the American healthcare system. Learn more by visiting http://www.seniorhelpers.com.