AGING MATTERS…it truly does! AGING “IN PLACE”

The trends are clear; people are living longer and prefer to retire in their own homes. “Aging in place” need not be a death sentence! The challenge is to make the home safe, secure and friendly for all ages and abilities drawing upon principles of universal design blended with applied technology.

Some Future trends- (source: Fast Company magazine website 2005)

• By 2011, the Over-65 crowd will be growing faster than the population as a whole throughout the country. The “Boomer Binge” will begin.

• As the workforce responds to the changing demographics of our society, so will American families. As we live longer, some Boomers will outlive their savings. For instance, many seniors are leaving Florida because they can no longer afford to live there.

• Many retirees will move in with their children. According to some predictions, a woman born after 1980 is likely to take care of her mother longer than her own children! Multi-generational families return to America!
  

Book Orders: Chuck Oakes Associates 60 Cinnamon Springs South Windsor, CT 06074 $10.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling CT residents add 6% sales tax or
Order from your local bookseller or Order from www.Amazon.com
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Consulting services pertaining to caregiving and home and community enhancements

As we age, what about employers?

THE IMPACT OF EMPLOYEE CAREGIVING TO THE CORPORATE “BOTTOM LINE”

Yes, we’re living longer and most of us plan to retire in our own homes. Aside from the anticipated “brain drain” as Baby Boomers retire, what other impact does this trend have on employers? 

The cost of employee caregiving is rising and will continue. 

The numbers substantiate the trends—
The rising annual cost to employers associated with workers with aging parents--

• Absenteeism: $397 million
• Partial absenteeism $488 million
• Workday interruptions: $3.7 billion
• Eldercare crises: $1 billion

Costs associated with supervising caregivers-- $805 million

Annual replacement costs for employees who leave: --$4.9 billion

• Lost productivity: 11.4 to $29 billion

Source: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (1997).
The MetLife study of employer costs for working caregivers. www.caregiving.org/MetLife.pdf 

CORPORATE CAREGIVING SOLUTIONS

Proactive employers have found that there are ways to reduce the associated costs to their bottom line while reducing the stress, distress and anxiety their employees experience as caregivers.

Chuck Oakes advocates a blending of customized services that include presentations, discussion sessions, training and a Corporate Resource Center. 
Call today for more information: 860-644-1128

Design with Abilities in Mind

In 1995, there were 33 million American over the age of 65. In 2020, there will be almost 70 million! (doubling in less than 25 years) This text, is a perfect first step in acquainting families and caregivers to aging and the challenges of caring for aging loved ones and individuals with disabilities. Various creative techniques and ideas are shared with the reader to benefit those we care for.

For all persons of all ages and here focusing on seniors, this slim but sage volume is an attractive and compelling "must" to own, read, share. and apply. The text is universal and the illustrations warm and inviting. The book is person friendly, as promised by the title, and helpful both conceptually and for practical aspects of living.

Dr. L. D. Misek-Falkoff, “Respectful-Interfaces Programme” of the
Communication Coordination Committee for the United Nations; Member,
Sub-Committee on Older Women, U.N. Commission on Status of Women

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Making Your Home Senior Friendly by Chuck Oakes is easy to read, full of great recommendations on making a home senior friendly and safe and provides some great resources. This book should be a “must read” for seniors wanting to stay in their own homes, and for their friends, families and caregivers. Kudos - Chuck Oakes for identifying these issues and writing about them.”

Shelley Ludwick, Director of Clinical Programs, Visiting Nurse Association of America, VNAA (Visiting Nurse Association of America)

Services and Products

Chuck knows exactly what we face when we start to help take care of our parents. His book is perfect in helping caregivers to understand their position as a family member that has or will begin to assist aging parents. Functionality is great, but Chuck's discussion of attitude, helpfulness and creating the right environment of our parents is fantastic. This book is refreshing and can help to set the right tone to the future ahead. Just maybe the "golden years" can be golden with love and understanding.

Daniel A. Uitti - President, Connecticut Authors & Publishers Association

I am not a regular home renovator or handy person. I am renovating the family home now with a general contractor. My eighty eight-year-old father will also move in. I and my contractor found the book: Making Your Home Senior Friendly informative, useful, easy reading and entertaining. We used many of the recommendations in the book. 

Sheldon Craig Lubin, Homeowner

I just finished reading, for the third time, Chuck’s delightful and enlightening book, Making Your Home Senior Friendly.  I find his tips about simple adaptations and changes that one can make in a home, practical and financially very feasible. In my opinion, this instructive little book is a “must read” for all homecare professionals, Senior Center staff members and anyone coping with aging parents. For the elderly who choose to stay in their own home, this book is a definite must!

Bradford Case, President, South Windsor Super Sixties Sportsmen Club

Services and Awesome Products

Break Boundaries - www.breakboundaries.com With Break Boundaries' REACH you can independently control all of the below products independently without the help of a nurse or caretaker. This can all be done by touching a screen, or completely hands-free by moving a body part, or simply speaking a command.  Audio Video Systems Fans Lights and Lamps Telephone Blinds and Shades Doors Clock Radio Bed Control (model specific) Nurse Call (facilities only)