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Community Corner

Seniors, Families, Have Options on Eldercare

With a rapidly aging population, seniors and their families have options that include care for practical, physical and emotional needs that can keep them at home.

America's rapidly aging population is predicted to be a strain on communities across the United States as many services are simply not geared toward seniors.

The oldest baby boomers turned 60 in 2006. Predictions are that  by 2030, the number of people over age 65 will reach 71 million. 

The strain of a rapidly graying population is also being felt by the families of elderly members, who have the burden of supporting the lives of a population with varying degrees of physical, mental and logistical challenges.

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When the burden becomes too much for families, however, decisions must be made on the level care provided. Although assisted living facilities are one potential option, the cost associated with these facilities is often beyond what many can pay. In addition, the elderly family member could run the risk of isolation from loved ones.

One company that may have a solution for these challenges is Accredited Health Services, which offers a Homecare program that is flexible enough to accommodate a variety of logistical and health issues, as well emotional challenges. 

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"Some prefer the option of living with family members, usually a son or a daughter," said Accredited Health Services President Melissa Eschert to a group of 20 seniors at the Congregation Beth Israel Temple in Scotch Plains on Monday.

"That appeals to some because they like the fact that there are people around them that love them. "They also might want to relinquish their household responsibilities and have someone care for them." 

Accredited Health Services provides services in Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Middlesex and Union counties. All of the caregivers employed by Accredited are certified in Dimentia, Diabetes and Hospice. The company is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Home Care. 

Eschert said seniors and their families must be realistic about their physical, emotional and financial condition. The best approach with senior care, she said, is one of honest future assessment in terms of health and family availability and suitability.

As part of her presentation, Eschert distributed a family workbook for making the transition from natural independence to assisted independence. The questionnaire sought to assess practical, physical and emotional needs.

Practical needs, as Accredited Health Services defines it, are tasks of daily living, such as brushing one's teeth, running errands or dressing.

"The truth is, 80 percent of American seniors 85 and older say they have difficulty with some type of daily living," Eschert said.

Physical needs are defined as health issues that require care to determine the level of motor skills, "and whether that case is needed certain times of the day or around the clock," Eschert said.

Emotional needs, Eschert said, is the most overlooked area when considering senior care and therefore Accredited Health Services places much of its assessment focus. A key to Accredited's approach is the willingness, or determination of seniors to want to stay in their own homes and accept  limited or full-time care. 

"We have have helped thousands of families find solutions to make this transition a lot easier," Eschert said.

One attendee interested in the offering was Howard Jones of Scotch Plains, who is a caregiver for his 80-year-old uncle Dr. Sy Geller. Geller has prostate cancer and Parkinson's Disease.

Jones said having help from an outside organization would ease the burden on the amount of time he spends as the primary caregiver.

"I am glued to him," Jones said, "and I will be 70 years old in January. This would be a great help." Eschert said not providing sufficient care to an elderly family member can destroy a family. "I have seen it happen," she said.

Because needs are so varied, Eschert said Accredited's services can be tailored to a family's individual needs. For example, a caregiver can be supplied for several days a week, for full weeks or months at rate of roughly $18-25 an hour. The cost varies based on the type of service and the level of care required.

For more information, Accredited Home Services can be reached via the web at www.accreditedhs.com

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