Comfort Keepers - How To Choose an Assisted Living or Nursing Home

Comfort Keepers - How To Choose an Assisted Living or Nursing Home

PA Veterans Museum celebrates fifth anniversary on Veterans Day today - Media Town Talk - Delco News Network

PA Veterans Museum celebrates fifth anniversary on Veterans Day today - Media Town Talk - Delco News Network

Delaware County Chamber's Open House
October 22, 2010 EVENT DESCRIPTION:
Time: 8:30AM - 1:30PM
Location:
Media Office
602 E. Baltimore Pike
2nd Floor, Media.

8:30AM - 11:30AM
Breakfast and Coffee Connection Networking
Coffee Provided by:
Drexelbrook Catering & Corporate Events Center

10:30AM - 11:30AM
"Global Web Seminar" -- Must be registered to attend. Extremely Limited Seating(registration for this seminar is separate from Open House Registration)

11:30AM - 1:30PM
Lunch/Networking
Provided by: Panera Bread

1:30PM - 2:30PM
Member Orientation
(Reserved for New Members and Members who have not attended an orientation previously.)
Provided by: Delightful Detail
Comfort Keepers

BOTH MEMBERS AND FUTURE MEMBERS PLEASE REGISTER TO ATTEND!

Directions: Parking is limited please park in the available lot next door at PNC Bank. The path will be lined with balloons. CAR POOLING IS ALSO SUGGESTED!

Don't forget to bring non-perishable boxed dessert items for our Thanksgiving Food Drive! We'll be accepting gelatin, pudding and cake or brownie mixes! Help us reach our goal of 1600 boxes!

Village Mart Laundromat and Comfort Keepers is having a Family Fun Day tomorrow at the Village Mart Shopping Center located at 580 Shoemaker Rd, King of Prussia, PA from noon to 3pm. Stop in to the laundromat and help support Alex's Lemonade Stand. There will be fun things for adults and kids. The staff of Comfort Keepers will be on hand to say "Hello" make sure you stop by our office located within the business and shopping center.

Delco News Network Talk of the Town 2010 Senior Services Comfort Keepers!

Congratulations to Comfort Keepers, a licensed senior services provider in the state of PA for being named Talk of the Town by Delco News Network. The Delco News Network which includes the Town Talk papers, the County Presses in Springfield, Media and Garnet Valley are free to the public and can be found in Wawa's, local merchants and other places around the county such as libraries. The News Network held nominations for Talk of the Town and the public not only nominated Comfort Keepers but chose them as the winner of the 2010 Talk of the Town Senior Services business.
Comfort Keepers provides in-home seniorcare, homecare services to anyone over the age of 18 who is sick, disabled or elderly. Services include but are not limited to light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, incidental transportation to doctor, grocery store, errands, bathing, grooming and incontinence care. Employed, bonded, insured caregivers who must pass criminal background checks and random drug screening provide the services in the home, facility or wherever the client resides.

Services are provided throughout the Delaware Valley area. To reach the office servicing the Delaware County area and communities in Montgomery, Chester and Philadelphia county, call 610-543-6300 or email us at delawarecounty@comfortkeepers.com. To read more about services, click HERE.

Ambler Senior Center and Comfort Keepers team up to educate seniors on how the medical alert system works.

Ambler Senior Center and Comfort Keepers team up to educate seniors on how the medical alert system works.

Have you ever seen that commercial where the lady falls in the living room and shouts
“Help me I fallen!”?

Ever wonder what happened to her? If so, you might want to come to an informative session on how Technology Solutions such as the Personal Emergency Response System or the “Help me I fallen” machine works.


Join us for an informative and casual discussion on:
Personal Emergency Response Systems
Medication Dispensing Technology
Door and Window Alarm Technology
Bedside Pressure Mat Alarms
And Other Safety Choice Items.

Don’t miss a fun time!
When: Friday, August 27, 2010
Time: Noon to 1pm
Place: Ambler Senior Center45 Forest Ave
Ambler, PA 19002

This session is for information purposes only.
There will be no selling of product or future solicitation.To rsvp for this event call Comfort Keepers at 1-610-783-7878.

Annual Motorcycle Run to benefit PA Veteran's Museum, come one call all and celebrate our Heroes

On October 10th of this year the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum (PVM) will hold its Second Annual Motorcycle Run in honor of veterans. The rain date is October 17th. We invite you to become an integral part of this event by being a Sponsor of this year’s Bike Run.

Highlights of this year’s event include:
• The MC Ride from Hannum’s in Chadds Ford to the Coatesville Medical Center for a “drive by salute” to the veterans of the Medical Center, then back to Hannum’s.
• Reception at Hannum’s immediately following the ride including refreshments and live entertainment.
• Raffle of the “Wheelbarrow of Booze” (tickets available through the Museum) and door prizes.
In these times of economic hardships your generosity will not go unnoticed by our Board, Staff, Volunteers and all those who have the opportunity to visit the Museum. Pennsylvania Veterans Museum is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization,

The Museum is listed as an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) under the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program.No goods or services were received in consideration of this donation.

If you would like additional information on this event, please contact the Veteran's Museum by clicking http://ping.fm/n5AQ6 or email the contact person for the event at: agostinelli4@comcast.net

Personal Care and Home Support Services can be provided by Comfort Keepers staff in Montgomery County PA

Personal Care and Home Support Services can be provided by Comfort Keepers staff in Montgomery County PA if you select the company name Comfort Keepers off the list provided by the assessment staff of the office of Aging and Adult Services. The County offers many wonderful programs for those who are aging or adults in need of assistance with some daily living skills such as transportation, meals, adult daycare programs and other services for those who qualify. If you are interested in learning more about Montgomery County PA office of Aging and Adult Services, click http://ping.fm/o5S6H
to go to their website. To learn more about their programs and how Comfort Keepers can assist your loved one, call our office in King of Prussia, PA at 610-783-7878.

Senior Expo Abington Free Library join the fun!

EAT, PLAY, LIVE!
LIVE!
Senior Scene Expo
Wednesday, September 22nd
10 am – noon.
Abington Free Library
1030 Old York Road
Abington, PA 19001, US
215-885-5180

Join us for a fun and educational morning
created just for senior adults.
®
Discover local resources for maximizing your
quality of life through
• Health and wellness
• Home and lifestyle options
• Legal and financial insight

• A chance to reunite friends…
and make new ones!

Sponsored by Comfort Keepers - http://ping.fm/0QtNi
and Long Foster Realtors.

For more information on Library, click below:
http://abg.mclinc.org/

Back to School: Teachers are you a caregiver to aging parents help is close by.

Yesterday I picked up the Sunday paper to see multiple back to school ads. Ads for younger children returning to elementary school boasting great deals on crayons and art supplies, while clothing was promoted for the older middle and high school age and of course all the terrific college dorm items that are on sale. Back to school and back to work for many teachers, assistants, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and other school related employees.

Many of these employees however worked through the summer. They were caregiving an elderly loved one. The summer allowed them to go over to the home of their aging loved one and check to make sure medications were being taken, meals were eaten, doctor appointments were made and in some cases, personal grooming such as showering was done. The act of caregiving is in itself often a full time job that never stops, no breaks, no rest, it is constant worry about someone who needs everything from a little guidance or reminders to alot of help.

What will all these summer caregivers do when they return to school next month? How will their aging loved one get the help they need? Well now is the time to start to look into an assessment of what the person needs and to set up the help now so that the loved one gets used to a stranger coming into the home when the caregiver goes back to school.

Most in-home services have minimal hour requirement per visit and often there is no requirement on frequency of those visits nor the length of time of care. This means a loved one who just needs a bath once or twice a week and maybe help to grocery store can be help with minimal services while a person with different needs could have help every day if necessary for meals, medication reminder, showering, help to grocery store or doctor and so on. In most states if not all, medicare does not cover these services. So what are your options?

One you could pay privately for the care but I suggest you are careful about who you have come into the home. Most in-home companies have employees who are bonded and insured with workers' compensation and background checks. They also have enough caregivers so that if your caregiver calls out they have a replacement. Second option is to go through the Area Agency on Aging in your county. Often they offer in-home services and they pay for it if your loved one qualifies. Third options is long term care insurance. If your loved one has policy such as John Hancock, Genworth, Metlife and so on, that policy may have benefit that covers in-home care. Last there is a veteran's benefit available for any veteran or spouse that is 65 or over and meets criteria set forth by the VA. To read more on this benefit , click HERE . http://ping.fm/Ud5we

To read more on how help is close by, click HERE
http://ping.fm/zbofu

Veterans Service Fair Conhohocken PA Info on Aging Veterans Benefits

Veterans Service Fair and Luncheon Thursday July 22, 2010 Fellowship House 515 Harry St. Conshohocken, PA 19428. Comfort Keepers serving Montgomery County PA to be on hand to educate attendees on Aging Veterans Benefit known as Aid and Attendance for Veterans and/or spouses age 65 and older who qualify. For more information on the event, contact our King of Prussia office at 610-783-7878 or click HERE to read more on aging veterans benefits.

In-home care for Seniors to participate in annual health fair Ambler Senior Center PA

In-home care provider Comfort Keepers serving Montgomery County PA to participate in Annual Health Fair Sept. 30, 2010 at Ambler Senior Center, 45 Forest Ave, Amber, PA 19002.

This event is open to the public. To read more about it, go to their website: http://montcosaac.com/ or contact Comfort Keepers at 610-783-7878 or to read more about aging veterans benefits, in-home care services or medical alert systems, click HERE.

Senior Community Services SCS starts Caregiver Consult Services partner with COSA

COSA partner Senior Community Services recently started Caregiver Consultation Services in Delaware County, PA. Senior Community Services is a non-profit organization that promotes independent living for the senior citizens of Delaware County PA. Recently they started their first private pay program the Caregiver Consultation Service. The CCS is a three step process that includes hearing the concerns of the family during an assessment of a loved one, developing an individualized care plan to address the needs and the last step of following up with the client two weeks later. The three step consultation is $350. To learn more about the program, call SCS at 610-237-6222 or email them at caregiverhelp@scs-delco.org.Comfort Keepers is a proud provider of in-home services for COSA in Delaware County, PA. If you have a loved one you think might need services from the county, contact their office at 610-490-1300.

Rocky Run YMCA's Stop Senior Hunger Food drive continues until July 19, 2010. If you are in the area and would like to drop off canned or dry foods, Comfort Keepers will deliver it to low income senior apartment dwellings. Thank you very much to Rocky Run!!

Kathy Montijo Comfort Keeper wins 2010 COSA Advisory Council Award

On June 22, 2010 Kathy Montijo of Comfort Keepers was presented with a COSA Direct Caregiver of the Year Award, the COSA Advisory Council Award for outstanding caregiving and exemplary personal attributes displayed while providing care in the homes of many elderly clients in Delaware County.

Although Kathy herself suffered much personal loss since October of 2009, first losing her own 22 year old daughter and one month later the passing of her mother, Kathy continued to care for her clients as if they were members of her own family. Her compassion and patience earned her the Direct Caregiver of the Year Award presented by Bruce Wyman of the COSA Advisory Council and Louis Colbert, Director of COSA.

The awards took place at Drexelbrook Center in Drexel Hill, PA on June 22, 2010. This is the 4th COSA Direct Caregiver of the Year Award Comfort Keepers has earned. Rose Ritz won the John F. Bauer Award in 2006, Jackie Albert won the John F. Bauer Award in 2007 and Helen Nowell, the Barbara White Award in 2008. To read more about these wonderful award winning caregivers, click HERE.

Murphy AME Church collects canned and dry foods to Help Stop Senior Hunger Delaware County PA

Murphy AME Church, located at 700 Yarnell Street in Chester, PA has offered to be a food collection site for the Stop Senior Hunger Program. The church will have a collection box inside of its entrance for anyone who wants to donate a can or boxed food to help low income senior citizens in Delaware County, PA.

Murphy AME Church is only a collection site, they do not distribute food or act as a food pantry. The staff of Comfort Keepers pick up the donations and take them to low income senior apartment and housing developments.

If you are interested in being a collection site, please contact Melody at Comfort Keepers, melodymchugh@comfortkeepers.com

Rocky Run YMCA Helps Stop Senior Hunger

The Rocky Run YMCA located at 1299 W. Baltimore Pike in Media is serving as a can and dry food collection site from June 28, 2010 to July 19, 2010 to help Stop Senior Hunger. For directions to Rocky Run, click HERE.

Millions of Senior Citizens in America suffer from hunger and malnutrition every day. Rocky Run YMCA is joining the Delaware County Comfort Keepers office in collecting dry food and canned goods to feed our seniors locally and Help Stop Senior Hunger.

Large collection boxes will be placed inside of the Rocky Run YMCA for anyone who would like to contribute. If you think you "Can Spare A Can", drop it off to the Rocky Run YMCA anytime it is open between June 28 and July 19th. All donations will be picked up by Comfort Keepers staff and personally delivered to low income senior citizens private home or residential settings.

If you are interested in being a collection site in Delaware County it is very easy. The Stop Senior Hunger campaign runs all year round so you can pick the month you feel is best for your business and the length of time you want to collect food. Comfort Keepers staff can provide you with the flyers, the collection boxes and will personally pick up the food from your place of business and deliver it to seniors in Delaware County PA. To become a collection site, click HERE or contact Melody McHugh at melodymchugh@comfortkeepers.com

The Stop Senior Hunger Program is an initiative nationwide by Comfort Keepers. If you live or work in another county or state and are interested in hosting a drive, click HERE to find the contact information for the Stop Senior Hunger Comfort Keepers near you.

Best of Delco The Delaware County Daily Times Best of contest please vote Comfort Keepers Senior Services 2010 Best of Delco 2010

Voting starts for the Best of Delco Senior Services, The Delaware County Daily Times today. The general public for the second year in a row has nominated Comfort Keepers serving Delaware County as Best of Delco Senior Services. Thank you to everyone who nominated Comfort Keepers and in advance thank you for voting for us. Voting time is short so don't wait, vote today by clicking HERE.

Jackie Albert wins National Comfort Keeper of Year 2006

Comfort Keepers President Award 2010 given to Sallie and Clark Bongaardt - 6 years in row, outstanding in-home care for seniors

LOCAL COMFORT KEEPERS® FRANCHISEE NAMED TO PRESIDENT’S CLUB

King of Prussia, PA – Clark and Sallie Bongaardt not only provide interactive non-medical. in-home care services to local families, but were recently honored by CK Franchising, Inc. for their performance as Comfort Keepers franchise owners. The Bongaardts were recognized during the Celebration Dinner and Awards Ceremony during the Comfort Keepers® Annual Conference held in Orlando, FL. The Bongaardts first received this award in 2005, making this 2010 award, six consecutive years they were honored by the Comfort Keepers Franchise.

“To be recognized in front of my peers at the Annual Conference was a great honor,” said Clark Bongaardt, Esq. “Ask any senior and they will say that they prefer to stay in their own home. I am thrilled to own a business that can make their wishes a reality.”

Comfort Keepers provides in-home care services on an hourly, daily or weekly basis with tailored packages customized to an individual’s needs. Packages include companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, incidental transportation, laundry, recreational activities, and more. All Comfort Keepers caregivers are employees and have criminal, driving, and credit background checks that ensure dependability and reliability.

About Comfort Keepers®
Clark and Sallie Bongaardt, local owners serving Delaware County and communities in Montgomery and Philadelphia county area Comfort Keepers has been in business since 2002. Since opening, The Bongaardts have provided service to numerous private and County Office Service of Aging Clients in the Delaware Valley area.

Comfort Keeper of the Year 2009 Delaware County, PA Rose Ritz, retired RN

Rose Ritz is a retired registered nurse who could have easily stayed home and enjoyed her retirement but Rose chooses every day to make a difference in the life of one our clients and his or her family. From learning her client’s interests and engaging them in their care to compassionately listening to family members who struggle to care for an aging loved one, Rose continually fulfills the mission of Comfort Keepers to treat every client as if he or she was a member of our own family. Every client Rose has helped has commented on her kindness and compassion. One family member wrote “Rose is the most generous and kind person I ever met. My mother looks forward to seeing her everyday. She gives 100% to her clients and for that I will always be grateful. I could never express how important she is in our lives. Rose is the best.” For continually being present with her clients, engaging them to participate in life and for her dedication and loyalty, Comfort Keepers is proud to announce, Rose Ritz, Comfort Keeper of the Year 2009.