Seniors Safety Choice and Independence at Home, How technolgy can help

A growing number of older Americans choose to continue living
in their homes as long as they can. The MetLife Mature Marketing
Institute reports that 91 percent of Americans who are approaching
retirement age — those 50 to 65 — say they want to remain in their own
homes after they retire.
Responding to this “aging in place” trend, a variety of organizations
have created solutions to assist seniors with living safely and
independently in their own homes. For example, the National
Association of Home Builders has created the Certified Aging-in-
Place Specialist program to help seniors adapt their homes for their
later years. The trend also will call for increased in-home caregiving
services. As the Centers for Disease Control reported in the 2007
“State of Aging and Health in America,” 88 percent of seniors have at
least one chronic health condition and 30 percent have three or more.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services adds that more
than two-thirds of older Americans who need daily assistance are now
living at home. This includes more than 70 percent of persons with
Alzheimer’s disease.
The Challenges Of Aging
Our nation’s elderly population is increasing at a far greater rate than
the overall population, a result of advances in medical science and
technology that have lengthened life expectancy. The 65 and older
population increased eleven-fold during the 20th century, compared
to three-fold for the entire population.
Now at nearly 40 million, the 65+ group will more than double by
2050. This growth will be fueled by 76 million baby boomers, the
first of whom will turn 65 in 2011. Consequently, current systems for
elderly care are being stretched. And as more and more seniors choose
“home sweet home” over institutional care, demand for in-home
caregivers — professional and family — will increase. To read more about safety at home and how technology can help, click on the webstite: http://www.comfortkeepers.com/content/view/274/284/

Comfort Keepers of Springfield, PA names Deidre Whitton Caregiver of Year 2008

Deidre Whitton (center) pictured with Sallie and Clark Bongaardt, Owners, Comfort Keepers, Delaware County and Mainline serving Comfort Keepers.

Comfort Keepers is proud to announce Deidre Whitton of Springfield, PA was named Comfort Keeper of the Year for 2008. A prestigious award bestowed on a caregiver who has demonstrated and fulfilled the Comfort Keepers’ mission statement throughout the year to treat clients as if they are taking care of a member of their own family. Deirdre is a shining representation of all dedicated caregivers. She maintains the highest standards in care, she is a team player willing to pick up different assignments, she readily fills in for last minute call outs and works closely with other Comfort Keepers sharing clients and assignments. She is always on time, a hard worker who genuinely enjoys her clients and her clients love her back.
In her four plus years working as a Comfort Keeper, Deirdre has faced some tough clients. With a low-key demeanor, not only has she handled each challenging situation with competence, she is also able to find the special interest, hobby or activity her clients like to do. Her skill of providing interactive caregiving is unmatched and her creativity allows the client to participate at their individual level of functioning. Comfort Keepers has received multiple, unsolicited letters with glowing accolades from clients and their families who have been touched by Deirdre. Phrases such “{Deirdre} connected immediately with my Mom and they were able to establish the trust that was needed in order to complete the daily routine”, and “Deirdre is not only capable in her duties but she is a caring and compassionate companion to my mother”, and “We were truly blessed to have had Deirdre assigned to our case…we will always be grateful for her help and good care”, are a few of the common expressions of gratitude that we have received. An accomplished interactive caregiver engaging her clients in games, conversations, activities and exercise, Deirdre’s client files are documented with notations of the positive effects of Deirdre’s caregiving on clients having been recorded from ongoing visits by our registered nurse and our ambassadors performing home visits. Clients who were depressed have reported lifted spirits looking forward to Deirdre’s visits. Clients who were struggling to maintain quality in their lives have reported a renewed feeling of hope; and clients who were lonely reported finding a new friend. For Deirdre, being a Comfort Keeper is truly a vocation – a way to give back and make a difference. All of us at Comfort Keepers are grateful to Deirdre Whitton on our team and congratulate her on her award. To see more of our award winning caregivers, click here: http://www.comfortkeepers.com/caregivers/437/jobopportunites.html